Hi everyone.

I checked UKAS website and noticed the number of scopes accredited by UKAS to my CB has been reduced. Last time it received full accreditation for my industry, but now it receives "limited" accreditation. Lucky that the scope for my company's activities still covered.

What happened if UKAS reduced the accreditation scopes, and we are suddenly non-UKAS accredited. If transfer is the issue, does clent have to bear the costs, etc involved?

Thank you
Lim.

A good question. I can't answer it but I want to bump it to bring it to everyone's attention. Weekends are slow so hopefully one of the registrars folks will help with this question.

Hi,
This is a situation for which the organisation is not ready and the CB never educate their clients.

First to answer your question:
1.It may not be possible for you to recover the transfer cost from your present CB as the contract you have signed with them is silent on this.Just check.
2.Even at the time of your audit,if your CB has valid accreditation,same will be in force till the next audit i.e surv audit (at the least).So if it happens after second surv audit, better you switch over to another CB before the present certificate validity expires and you get some discount on man day calculation from new CB.So at the recertification,cost for you will not be much different.
3.Don't miss to report to the accreditation body if your CB don't inform you about their loss of accreditation.

Second to educate about selection of CB
1.Check accreditation and scopes for which accredited.
2.Check market reputation.Select one which follows the procdures -Man day calculation,auditor selection,audit process.
3.Be careful about a CB referred by your consultant.Your consultant will be happy to have a CB with soft approach and he can manage with minimum job.(not in all cases)
4.Check the resume of auditors before selecting CB.
5.Avoid those CBs which use contractual auditors and assure you certification.
6.Price should not be only criteria for selection of CB.
7.Length of client list should not be the selection criteria.There are many with long lists but very bad.

Hope this helps you and before recertification audit, just switch over if you are worried with your present one.:cool:

What happened if UKAS reduced the accreditation scopes, and we are suddenly non-UKAS accredited.Likely, the CB would offer you a certificate, accredited by another Accreditation Body. Or issue you a non-accredited certificate and hope you and your customers don't notice it. If transfer is the issue, does client have to bear the costs, etc involved?Transfer of what? Accreditation or Certification?

Issue of non accredited certificate is most likely but for you that may not be possible as you are checking the accreditation status of the CB.:)