| The following is a basic overview of the accreditation
application process: 1. Order an
application package, which
lists the requirements and documents needed to set up a SAAS-accredited
certification system. The fee for this application package
is $100 and can be ordered through the document
purchase center.
2. Document and procedure preparation.
The organization seeking to become a SAAS-accredited certification
body must prepare documents and procedures to meet SAAS-specific
requirements, detailed in SAAS
Procedure 200 and the supplemental SAAS Advisory
1,
Advisory 2, Advisory
3, and Advisory
4. Applicant organizations must also base their certification
system on the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) Guide
17021 (or Guide 62 prior to September 2008), detailing
the requirements for bodies operating assessment and certification
of quality systems.
3. Document and records review.
After the organization prepares its documents and
procedures, it may submit an application and documents, along
with the required application fee to
SAAS. Once the package is received, SAAS staff will ensure
that the materials submitted are complete and assign a SAAS
lead auditor to conduct a review of the submitted materials
to confirm that the applicant meets the requirements set forth
by SAAS. This document review takes approximately two days
of the auditor's time, which is billed to the applicant.
4. Office audit.
If the documents received meet the criteria set out
for accreditation, an office audit of the applicant can be
scheduled. The purpose of the office audit is to assess the
degree and effectiveness of the implementation of the applicant
certification body’s system within its defined scope.
During the office audit, the SAAS accreditation auditors will
review the organization's procedures, documents and files,
and conduct interviews with staff. The office audit may result
in the issuance of nonconfomances. Such nonconformances must
be addressed prior to moving forward in the accreditation
process.
5. Witness audit.
The purpose of the witness audit is to assess the
degree and effectiveness of the implementation of the applicant
certification body’s system and to determine the certification
body auditors’ competence. Witness audits are scheduled
pending satisfactory results of the document review and initial
office audit. SAAS auditors witness the applicant auditing
a facility against the SA8000, or other applicable standard,
to ensure it is following its own certification procedures
and that the procedures are effective. The witnessed audits
must be initial certification audits, therefore it is necessary
for the applicant CB to have a client willing to go through
the process of certification with the intention of becoming
certified once the accreditation process is complete. The
witness audit may result in the issuance of nonconformances
and such nonconformances must be addressed prior to moving
forward in the accreditation process.
6. Final report and audit team recommendation.
Once the office and witness audits have been completed
and any nonconformances addressed, a final report and audit
team recommendations for accreditation will be drafted. These
recommendations are reviewed by the Accreditation
Review Panel (ARP). The ARP has 30 days to recommend granting
or refusal of accreditation. At that time, the Director of
Accreditation makes a final decision on granting accreditation.
7. Maintenance of accreditation.
When an organization becomes accredited, its accreditation
is valid for a period of three years. During this time, SAAS
carries out periodic surveillance office and witness audits
of the accredited certification body, at a minimum of twice
annually, to verify that the CB continues to comply with the
accreditation criteria. The number of surveillance audits
is determined by the number of certifications granted by the
CB. At the end of the 3-year cycle, the CB must undergo reaccreditation,
including steps 3-6 listed above.
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