Certification Stage Two

Stage Two

The stage two assessment is the second of two stages that together comprise Initial Certification. A stage two assessment will typically take place at your organisation’s head office or primary location, for organisations with multiple locations all sites hosting unique processes will be visited; its purpose is to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of your organisation’s management system. The assessor will gather evidence through: sampling documentation, records, interviews and witnessing processes to compile a report determining your organisations level of compliance with the standard and report any non-conformances, observations and opportunities for improvement. Should any non-conformities be identified at this stage you will be required to correct the them before certification can be issued; if the assessment is successful, AAC will issue certification.

What to expect

As with stage one, our assessor/s will make contact with you before the audit to confirm details of the audit plan: it may be necessary for specific staff be available for interview or the assessor be made aware of site-specific PPE requirements

The stage two assessment will begin with an opening meeting, the meeting will address introductions, confirmation of scope, objectives of the audit, logistics for the day and the gradings used for any potential findings among other things. Following this the assessor will usually ask for a site tour to refresh their memory. It is important to note that the assessor is looking for compliance with the standard is primarily focused on finding evidence to confirm this; the assessor will use sampling methodology to audit individual processes within your organisation ensuring each clause of the standard has been audited. The assessor will typically speak to senior management and staff in multiple areas of the organisation concerning the role they play within the management system; the assessor will also sample competence and maintenance records in addition to internal audit reports and management review meetings minutes.

The assessor will compile a report for the assessment giving a conclusion for their findings, the assessor may raise Major or Minor Non-conformances, Observations or Opportunities for improvement”; any non-conformances must be sufficiently addressed and closed before certification can be granted. The assessor will give an overall recommendation for your system, whether it be certified or certified subject to the satisfactory close of any findings raised.

After the assessment is completed the assessor will compile a surveillance plan for the ongoing certification cycle (typically three years/ triennial), the plan will detail what areas of your management system will be reviewed at the next surveillance visit.