Other Rules Related to Accredited Certification

OPG complies with ISO 17021-1 for its accredited conformity assessment activities. The following overall rules are intended to provide basic information on key aspects of our services.

Granting Certification

Accredited certification is only granted after the applicable steps of the OPG certification process are completed in full. This includes the review of the client’s completed application, resolution of any issues, performance of audit programming and audit planning, the performance of necessary conformity assessment audits, completion of applicable audit reports, and final review by the OPG Certification Review Committee (CRC). Where nonconformities are identified, OPG will notify the client when these need to be closed prior to the issuance of any final certificate.

Refusing Certification

OPG may refuse certification for a number of reasons, all of which are based on the company’s policies related to impartiality, confidentiality, and non-discrimination. Such reasons include:

  • Failure of the client to demonstrate conformity with the applicable standard(s) during any conformity assessment audit
  • Violation of the OPG contract of service
  • Failure to pay associated fees as required
  • The presence of conflicts of interest which may not allow OPG to remain adequately impartial or objective

In all cases, OPG will provide a written explanation of why certification cannot be issued.

Maintaining Certification

Clients are required to comply with the OPG contract of service in order to maintain certification. This includes agreeing to undergo routine surveillance assessments, continuing to comply with all contractual terms and conditions, and obeying rules for the use of certification marks and references to certifications. Note: surveillance audit requirements and frequency are established by ISO accreditation standards to which OPG must comply.

Renewing Certification

At the end of the certification cycle, clients will have the option to renew their certification. This requires undergoing a periodic “re-certification” assessment. Renewal will allow the client to engage in a new 3-year contract with OPG. Note, however, that clients may cancel a contract at any time, provided they comply with the cancellation terms defined in the contract.

Suspending, Withdrawing, & Restoring Certification

Clients may have, or request to have, their certifications temporarily suspended or permanently withdrawn. OPG will honor requests when made by the client to do so. Alternatively, OPG may unilaterally suspend or withdraw a certification based on the following:

  • Client fails to comply with the terms of their contract with OPG, including payment of associated fees
  • Client fails to demonstrate compliance with the applicable standard(s) and fails to take suitable and timely corrective action of nonconformities discovered
  • Client engages in behavior that brings disrepute to the OPG brand or to the ISO certification scheme in general

When a client’s certification is temporarily suspended, OPG will provide an explanation on what will be required to lift the suspension and restore certification.

When a client’s certification is permanently withdrawn, OPG will provide a justification for the decision. The client must then either re-apply with OPG as a new client or seek certification with a different conformity assessment body.

Expanding or Reducing the Scope of Certification

Clients may at any time request an expansion or reduction in the scope of their certification by writing to their OPG point of contact. OPG will assess the impact of the changes and adjust the client’s audit program and applicable audit plans accordingly. Changes in schedules and fees will be communicated to the client before the scope change is made effective. For scope expansions, OPG may require a special audit be performed before the change can be granted.