The top management of IQC-UK understands the importance of impartiality when performing QMS/ FSMS certification activities; manages potential conflict of interests and ensures the objectivity of its QMS/FSMS certification activities. IQC-UK has developed and implemented procedures in compliance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021 & ISO/TS 22003, ISO 27006 and other applicable accreditation standards.
The certification procedures are approved by the Director Technical and are to be abided when applicable and when QMS/FSMS certification is conducted according to ISO/IEC 17021 & ISO/TS 22003, ISO 27006 and other applicable accreditation standards.
The technical Manager is responsible for conducting certification services in compliance with IQC-UK. IQC-UK declares that it does not take part in any consultancy activities regarding development and implementation of any management systems.
There shall be no pressure of any kind (financial, trade, administrative, moral or other) over IQC- UK and the personnel regarding the execution of their obligations as a QMS/FSMS Certification Body according to ISO/IEC 17021 & ISO/TS 22003.
IQC-UK identifies, analyzes and documents all possibilities for conflict of interests that emerge from certification processes including any conflicts that emerge from its relations. Presence of relations does not necessarily position the IQC-UK in a situation of conflict of interests. If some relations create impartiality threats, IQC-UK documents and eliminates or decreases such threats.
This information is presented to the Advisory Board members. It is necessary to cover all possible conflict of interests’ sources that are identified regardless of their origin. IQC-UK requires from all employees, internal and external, to comply with impartiality rules as well as reveal any situation known to them that may present them or IQC-UK with a conflict of interests. IQC-UK shall use this information as input in identifying threats to impartiality raised by the activities of such personnel or by the organization that employ them. Such personnel, internal or external shall not be used unless they demonstrate that there is no conflict of interest. IQC-UK shall not undertake any action that threatens the impartiality and/or are potential conflict of interests.
When certain relations create unacceptable impartiality threat, then the certification shall not be conducted. IQC-UK shall not certify another certification body for its activities related to management system certification.
IQC-UK shall implement corrective actions against irrelevant claims of any consultancy organization declaring that the certification will be simpler, faster or cheaper if specific certification body is used due to the fact it is conflict of interests. Also IQC-UK shall not state or imply that certification would be simpler, faster or cheaper if a specified consultancy organization were used.
When potential impartiality threat arises, IQC-UK eliminates it or decreases it. This process is also controlled by the Advisory Board. IQC-UK shall not certify own group companies (if there are such companies) or organizations that IQC-UK is a part of or a member.
Personnel, who have provided consultancy (including internal audits) within two years to the organization seeking certification, are not allowed to take part in audit or other certification activities.
IQC-UK shall not provide internal audits for its certified clients. IQC-UK shall not certify a management system for which it has conducted internal audits within two years following the end of the internal audits.
IQC-UK shall not provide certification services to a client when relations between the Consultancy Company and IQC-UK could lead to impartiality threat.
IQC-UK shall not outsource audits to a management system consultancy organization as this poses an unacceptable threat to the impartiality of the certification body. This does not apply to individuals contracted as auditors or technical experts.
IQC-UK does not receive any financial support different from the invested in it and the fees of its services.
IQC-UK does not pay any commissions to consultants therefore there can be no pressure exercised on IQC-UK by consultants.
IQC-UK shall not allow any pressure from other certification bodies to influence the certification process in the organization. If other certification body declines to provide service for client and the client requests the same service form IQC-UK than IQC-UK shall investigate the reasons for declining before performing any other certification activities for the respective client.
IQC-UK shall not allow pressure from clients and/or consultancy organizations. If there is such pressure, then IQC-UK will apply requirements of ISO/IEC 17021:2006 and internal procedures in order to stop such practice.
IQC-UK shall not allow pressure from employees and/or related persons. All employees are obliged to work in compliance with requirements of ISO/IEC 17021:2006 and ISO/TS 22003:2007 and as per agreement of contract.
Top management of IQC-UK is committed to full compliance with this declaration.
