At any time, a company may wish to become certified to additional standards or to reduce the scope of their certification. An appropriate application should be submitted for consideration and will normally be granted.

The certificate must be current (not beyond its expiry date) and may be displayed in the premises of the certificated company. The certification marks (supplied by QSS) may be used on stationery, publicity materials and vehicles. They must not be used in an inappropriate manner which might result in a negative impact on the certification or on QSS itself. The UKAS Crown and Tick Mark (when awarded) can only be used as set down by UKAS and may NOT be used on vehicles or packaging.

Suspension of certification can occur for various reasons. The main ones are:

• Failure to correct a major nonconformity at the time of external audit in the time period agreed
• Inappropriate use of the certificate or certification marks (logos)
• A major customer complaint
• Failure to pay certification or surveillance fees

Suspension is a decision made by the QSS Board, as a result of a recommendation by the General Manager. A company can appeal against suspension in writing to the QSS Board. The results of an appeal are submitted in writing to the company, once the appeal has been considered. On suspension, QSS may require the return of any certificate and the removal of the certification marks from all stationery and from wherever else they may have been displayed.

An appeal may be made to the QSS Board about any certification decision made by the General Manager or by a Certification Auditor. They must be made in writing and addressed to the Managing Director. An appeal may be heard by the Managing Director or by the Board, depending upon its importance.

Yes, it can. For example, if a company does not resolve nonconformities within the agreed timescale following an audit, certification would initially be suspended and then, potentially, cancelled. Repeated failure to comply with important elements of the standard, or a breakdown of the quality system in a number of areas, could also lead to withdrawal of certification.

A procedure to handle complaints is used by QSS and these are initially recorded by the Quality Manager or by the General Manager. A copy of the Procedure is available to customers or others on request.

If/when QSS is required by law or authorised by contractural arrangements (e.g. with UKAS) to release confidential information, the client shall, unless prohibited by law, be notified of the information provided.