The Accreditation Process
Stakeholders in social certification need
to know that SAAS-accredited Certification
Bodies (CBs) are competent to perform their tasks in certifying
organizations to social standards such as SA8000. SAAS undertakes
a verification process to assess the CBs competence through
a series of audits which review the management, processes,
and training of the certification process of the CB. The CB,
in turn, evaluates the implementation of SA8000, or other
accredited social system, to ensure compliance with all elements
of the system.
SAAS makes publicly available detailed information about its
assessment and accreditation processes, including arrangements
for granting, maintaining, extending, reducing, suspending
and withdrawing accreditation. Please see the To
Apply page for details on the accreditation process and
to download required SAAS procedures and policies.
SAAS also participates in a peer evaluation
system that has been created by the ISEAL
Alliance through which assurance is provided that SAAS
is operating in accordance with ISO Guide 17011. ISO Guide
17011 specifies the requirements for accreditation bodies
assessing and accrediting Certification Bodies. This peer
evaluation system offers external recognition of the quality
and credibility of an organization’s accreditation program.
Following internal peer audits in 2004, ISEAL has since facilitated
external audits of the SAAS accreditation system, consisting
of document reviews and office audits to assess the implementation
of the SAAS accreditation procedures.
The oversight process of the SAAS accreditation
system is detailed below.
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