Certificate Suspension? Shut down due to Covid-19

[Greg19]

Due to our facility remaining shut down due to Covid-19, it looks like we may have to delay our surveillance audit long enough to go into suspension status. Assuming we complete the audit within the second 90 day extension, are there any other risks or requirements for our company while in suspension status. I'm working from home and don't have access to the rules to completely understand this.

Initiating the de-certification process and going into suspension is always a risk. But as long as you have an agreement with your CB and conduct your PA-audit within 90 days from initiation of the de-cert process you will be fine.

Another risk is that your customer identifies your suspension but with the current situation this is not a major issue. You just need to explain the situation.

If you realize that you can not complete the PA within the 90 days and your a site and you have started your automotive production you can set up an IATF Monitoring with your CB. This can earliest be done 60 days into decert-period and will help you keeping your cert. Just keep contact with your CB and use their expertise.

 

[batteryguy]

Thank for everyone's input. I received some more information from our registrar today. They have requested to see all of our latest customer scorecards, complaints, etc. Upon review and analysis of the risk to our customers, they can then decide not to suspend our certificate. As previously mentioned, we will need to complete our surveillance audit within 90 days.

 

[Greg19]

Thank for everyone's input. I received some more information from our registrar today. They have requested to see all of our latest customer scorecards, complaints, etc. Upon review and analysis of the risk to our customers, they can then decide not to suspend our certificate. As previously mentioned, we will need to complete our surveillance audit within 90 days.

Good to hear that you have had discussions with your CB. But it is actually not true that its up to the CB to decide if suspension is required. If the decertification is initiated due to surv. audit not conducted in time the decision shall always be to suspend the certificate but all you need to do is conduct the audit..

 

[brandieb1230]

We needed to postpone our audit as we were shut down when it was scheduled. Our certification body is not able to get us an audit this calendar year (during the two extensions). I am having an anxiety attack about this all this. Has anyone experienced auditors not being able to fit an audit in?

 

[Golfman25]

We needed to postpone our audit as we were shut down when it was scheduled. Our certification body is not able to get us an audit this calendar year (during the two extensions). I am having an anxiety attack about this all this. Has anyone experienced auditors not being able to fit an audit in?

As someone who punted an TS cert a few years ago due to a facility move, just know the world doesn't end. If your system is any good, it can survive several months without some outside auditor. Customers may not be thrilled but this is what happens in a pandemic.