FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Who should consider using Sovereign Certification Limited for certification services?

2. What is the cost of your certification service?

3. What if I do not currently meet the requirements of the standard or have difficulties in completing the Assessment Review Report?

4. What is the difference between Sovereign Certification Limited and the majority of the other Certification Bodies such as BSI & LRQA?

5. What is First, Second and Third Party Assessment?

6. What is the value of a Sovereign Certification Limited certificate if it is awarded following an off-site rather than an independent external assessment?

7. Is it easier to obtain a certificate through Sovereign Certification rather than the majority of other certification bodies?

1. Who should consider using Sovereign Certification Limited for certification services?

• Those organisations that wish to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of a standard but do not need an accredited certificate.

• Those organisations that may not want the expense of an accredited assessment but wish to demonstrate to their customers that they conform to a standard.

2. What is the cost of your certification service?

The cost of the service is much less than having an on-site assessment. These involve an initial application fee (1) to cover the processing of your application and the provision of advice in order to complete the Assessment Review Report / Management Systems Manual. The completed Assessment Review Report / Management System Manual is then subject to an assessment fee (2) which should result in the issue of a certificate. The only other fee is the annual review fee (3) which covers a review of your certification and the reissue of a current certificate. All costs are detailed on the costs page.

3. What if I do not currently meet the requirements of the standard I required certification to and I am finding it difficult to complete the Assessment Review Report?

If you have a reasonable understanding of the requirements you may only need some advice on completion of the Assessment Review Report and the identification of the gaps that require filling. You may find it useful to compete the ample Management System Manual (ISO 9001). We can also provide additional consultancy where required.

4. What is the difference between Sovereign Certification Limited and the majority of the other Certification Bodies such as BSI & LRQA?

Sovereign Certification Limited provide a means of validating an organisations own assessment of conformance and by review of documentation you provide.

Note: Some companies which assess organisations are accredited by national accreditation bodies. If you require an accredited third party certificate, we can advise you in this

5. What is First, Second and Third Party Assessment?

Assessment can be divided into three distinct areas when claiming compliance with a standard. Third Party Assessment - Assessment of compliance by an independent body. E.g. BSI, LRQA. Second Party Assessment - Assessment by an interested party. E.g. A customer or stakeholder (or consultant). First Party Assessment - Assessment internally. I.e. by the organisation itself

6. What is the value of a Sovereign Certification Limited certificate if it is awarded following an off-site assessment rather than an independent external assessment?

Consider the following aspects:

• It is unlikely that any third party assessment could provide a critical and in-depth review of your systems as yourselves. Indeed, one criticism of third party assessment is that it is superficial and the outside assessor can easily be misled.

• The Sovereign Certification scheme allows for a mix of self-assessment which must be verified by the top management of the organisation and a review of this assessment by ourselves.

• This commitment is back up by the commitment to meet legislation that may be applicable in contract and consumer law. E.g. Trade Descriptions Act and Consumer Act. etc. *The Trade Descriptions Act 1968 makes it an offence for a trader to apply, by any means, false or misleading statements, or to knowingly or recklessly make such statements about services. *Misrepresentation Act 1967 A misrepresentation is a false statement of fact made by a party or their agent, which is intended to and does induce the other party to enter into a contract.

7. Is it easier to obtain a certificate through Sovereign Certification rather than the majority of other certification bodies?

An honest and committed organisation with all the knowledge and understanding of their organisation will find the process of being self-critical rewarding and more revealing that an assessment by an external party. An organisation will find that significant effort is required to make an application. It is not simply a case of making an application and a certificate is issued. The application involves the review of a comprehensive conformance report.

Who is responsible for reviewing our Conformance Report which we submit with our application?

The report will always be reviewed by a person with the appropriate credentials issued by a recognised body such as the International Register of Certificated Auditors in a similar way as any second or third party assessment. The appropriate qualification will be a requirement for all application review.

Application Form You will need to complete this form in order to register as a customer and receive guidance. [PDF]

Other

Our Quality Policy

Our Regulations

External Links

International Organization for Standardization The home of International standards

UKAS Third Party Accreditation body with links to accredited certification bodies.

Guidance

ISO 9001 Guidance Whether you choose to self-assess or not our guidance can provide you with a start,

ISO 14001 Guidance Whether you choose to self-assess or not our guidance can provide you with a start,

OHSAS 18001 Guidance Whether you choose to self-assess or not our guidance can provide you with a start,

"The Certification Company"