| 1 | Objective |
| This Manual of Operations contains detailed procedures for accrediting certification bodies under the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Policy and Procedures for Accreditation of Product Certification Programs. It sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties involved, and the necessary evaluation and monitoring procedures required to demonstrate initial and continuing fulfillment of ANAB Policy, ISO/IEC 17065 and other requirements contained in this document. ANAB is organized and operates so as to safeguard the objectivity and impartiality of its activities. |
| In this manual, the term "product" can be read as "process" or "services". |
| 2 | Definitions |
| For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions are provided in ISO/IEC 17000, ISO/IEC 17065, and ISO/IEC 17011. |
| 3 | Introduction |
| The policies, criteria, and other requirements in this document govern ANAB accreditation of product certification bodies and their operation of certification programs ("certification program" is the term used in North America for certification systems or schemes). ANAB has established this accreditation program to support the market need for product certification and to provide an experienced source for accreditation in the United States. ANAB has established these policies and criteria to govern the accreditation of certification bodies of products, processes, and services. The criteria are compatible with the existing international standards and practices. To facilitate harmonization of certification activities among different countries, these criteria embody the requirements of ISO/IEC 17065. |
| Certification Bodies are initially accredited by ANAB upon approval by the ANAB Accreditation Committee. This committee advises ANAB in the development of policies and strategies, participates in the review of complaints and appeals per appropriate procedures. The Committee functions under the ANAB Operating Procedure of the Accreditation committee (PRO-PL-103). |
| Assessment of the competence of certification bodies is carried out based on an understanding of the product certification schemes and associated standards where applicable, and includes assessment of the certification body head office (and other locations if applicable), witness certification bodies conducting: |
| a) | audit/inspection of their clients, |
| b) | evaluation test and inspection facility, and |
| c) | other evaluation function |
| This document describes how ANAB plans and conducts initial assessment, surveillance, follow-up, and reassessment of certification bodies in accordance with ANAB accreditation requirements and ISO/IEC 17065 on a two-year accreditation cycle. |
| 4 | ANAB Accreditation in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065 |
| For a certification body to apply for ANAB accreditation, in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065, the certification body shall operate one or more Certification Scheme(s) covering its certification activities. |
| 5 | Application for Accreditation |
| 5.1 | The application for accreditation and program agreement shall be signed by an authorized representative of the certification body. |
| 5.2 | The Accreditation program application references all the required information that the applicant shall provide, including scheme specific information. The applicant shall provide a certificate of insurance or other evidence of fulfillment of ISO/IEC 17065, or have adequate arrangements to cover liabilities arising from its operations and/or activities. |
| 5.3 | The applicant shall provide any other available material which assists ANAB in evaluating the application. |
| The application shall include the basis of fulfillment of one or more of the following international standards by bodies performing evaluation activities, as applicable: |
| a) | ISO/IEC 17025 |
| b) | ISO/IEC 17020 |
| c) | ISO/IEC 17021-1 |
| ANAB acknowledges receipt of the application upon receipt of the completed application, all requested information, and the application fee. |
| 5.4 | ANAB evaluates the application for completeness, using ANAB requirements as defined in ANAB Policies, ISO/IEC 17065, and any other applicable certification scheme requirements. Additional information and/or clarification may be requested from the applicant. ANAB utilizes a procedure to determine the suitability of the conformity assessment scheme. |
| 5.4.1 | If during the application review, circumstances such as language barriers, travel restrictions, new technologies, or any other exceptions to the capabilities of the ANAB Accreditation Program are identified and cause the application to be outside of the capabilities of the Program, then ANAB conducts a review of ANAB's capabilities to assess applicants and the risk involved in undertaking accreditation. |
| 5.5 | This review includes ANAB's ability to conduct the initial assessment in a timely manner. If the initial assessment cannot be conducted in timely manner ANAB communicates with the applicant the reason for the delay. |
| 5.5.1 | ANAB reviews the following upon receipt of an application: |
| a) | Availability of assessors and technical assessors with the appropriate competence to perform the assessment in a timely manner. |
| b) | The information supplied by the conformity assessment body to determine the suitability of the application for accreditation to initiate an assessment. |
| c) | The ability to carry out the assessment of the applicant conformity assessment body, in terms of its own policy and procedures, and its competence. |
| 5.6 | If ANAB determines a preliminary visit is needed, or if one is requested by the applicant, ANAB provides the applicant with a visit plan that includes estimated costs. If the visit plan is accepted by the applicant, ANAB assigns an appropriate assessment team, and coordinates arrangements for the visit. |
| 5.6.1 | The purpose of a preliminary visit is to clarify issues arising from the application and/or document review, and to ensure that ANAB has a full understanding of the organization of the certification body, the facilities for delivering the product certification scheme (e.g., regional offices, interfaces with other parties, etc.), the structure of the certification body and its ownership. This visit also ensures that both parties have a full understanding of the accreditation process appropriate to the relevant certification scheme. The purpose of the visit is to identify gaps in achieving accreditation but does not include providing any recommendations that could be construed as consultancy. |
| 5.6.2 | Following the visit, a report is prepared to identify nonconformities, but will not provide any recommendations that would be construed as consultancy. |
| 5.7 | ANAB reviews the information supplied by the certification body to determine the suitability of the application for accreditation to initiate the process. When it is determined that applicant has the potential to meet the accreditation criteria, the application is accepted and the applicant is so notified in writing. |
| 5.8 | If, after the initial application evaluation and/or preliminary visit, it is judged that the applicant does not have the potential to meet the accreditation criteria, ANAB: |
| a) | Notifies the applicant and identify the deficiency (ies) in the application; |
| b) | Advises the applicant if the deficiency(ies) is(are) corrected, and a revised application is submitted to ANAB within 90 days, ANAB's review of the documentation resumes and payment of an additional fee may be required; |
| c) | Advises the applicant that if the deficiency (ies) is(are) not corrected and/or a revised application is not submitted to ANAB within 90 days, the application is considered to be withdrawn. A new application may be submitted at any time; and an additional fee will be required. |
| 5.9 | At any point in the application or initial assessment process, if there is evidence of fraudulent behavior, if the certification body intentionally provides false information or if the certification body conceals information, ANAB rejects the application or terminates the assessment process. |
| 5.10 | The applicant conformity assessment body shall provide information demonstrating that the accreditation requirements are addressed prior to commencement of the assessment. |
| 6 | Document Review and Initial Assessment |
| 6.1 | Upon acceptance of the application and receipt of the required application fee, ANAB reviews the application and selects the assessment team members based on their competence for the specific scope(s) for which accreditation is sought and absence of potential conflict of interest as follows: |
| a) | Has appropriate knowledge of the specific scopes of accreditation, including certification scheme requirements and ANAB requirements related to their competencies; |
| b) | Has understanding sufficient to make a reliable assessment of the fulfillment of accreditation requirements by the certification body to operate within its scopes of accreditation; and |
| c) | Has no ties with the applicant which may influence the assessments. Team members are required to maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained about the applicant and its operations.
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| 6.1.1 | The applicant is notified of the names of the proposed members of the assessment team, including any technical expert(s), if needed, and the organization to which they belong. If the applicant objects to any team member(s) or expert(s) they must provide ANAB written objections including justification to any team member(s) and/or expert(s) no later than 10 days from the date of proposal. If the applicant's objections to any proposed team members is determined by ANAB to be justified, ANAB will propose the names of alternative assessors. |
| 6.2 | ANAB clearly defines the assignment given to the assessment team. The task of the assessment team is to review the documents collected from the product certification body and to conduct assessments including any on-site assessments. |
| 6.3 | ANAB utilizes the International Classification for Standards (ICS) code to identify the conformity assessment body's technical activities within a scheme, unless the scheme uses other method(s) to describe the technical activity. |
| 6.4 | The applicant is provided with a confirmation of the assessment schedule and a detailed assessment plan for review and approval. The assessment plan covers but is not limited to the following:
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| a) | The activities to be assessed; |
| b) | The name of the assessment team members;
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| c) | The locations at which the activities will be assessed; |
| d) | The personnel to be assessed where applicable; |
| e) | The assessment technique to be utilized including witness, where appropriate or applicable; and |
| f) | Include where witness is not appropriated or applicable. |
| 6.5 | The assessment team reviews the applicant's application and any accompanying documentation.The Lead Assessor is responsible for ensuring the assessment team completes all required activities. The applicant may be required by the team leader to provide additional information/clarifications/corrections before the accreditation process proceeds. The purpose of the review is to determine whether the certification body is operating in compliance with ANAB requirements, ISO/IEC 17065, and any other applicable scheme requirements. Using the information obtained from the assessment team, ANAB may decide not to proceed with an additional assessment based on the nonconformities found during document review. In such a case, the nonconformities are reported in writing to the applicant. |
| 6.6 | ANAB assessors review the nonconformities identified during the document review and consider the risk (the combination of impact and likelihood) related to the certification body's fulfillment of requirements for competence, consistency, and impartiality when selecting the activities to assess. The assessment team arranges with the applicant for a mutually acceptable schedule for the on-site headquarters, on-site or remote assessment of key/critical locations and witness assessment(s). |
| 6.7 | During initial assessment, key/critical locations are selected to ensure that sufficient objective information can be collected to verify that the documented certification procedures and all certification schemes in the scope are implemented. |
| a) | If the certification body operates a certification scheme spread across multiple key/critical locations with no one key/critical location housing all the certification activities, then assessments cover as many additional key/critical locations and key activities as necessary to collect objective information to verify that documented procedures are implemented. |
| b) | If the certification body operates more than one certification scheme, then assessments cover as many additional key/critical locations as necessary, to verify that the documented procedures are implemented. |
| 6.7.1 | For each certification scheme operated in whole at multiple key/critical locations, initial assessments include: |
| a) | A minimum of two key/critical locations to verify that the same procedures are being utilized at different key/critical locations; and |
| b) | A minimum of two key/critical locations, if applicable, to verify that the same procedures can be used effectively in significantly different business environments (e.g., sites using different languages, sites under different legal systems or sites that are significantly different in size). |
| 6.7.2 | The minimum number of sites necessary to meet all the above guidelines are selected for the initial assessment. If needed, additional sites are included as part of the initial assessment to ensure that every site is assessed, either during the initial assessment or during the first year of surveillance assessment. |
| 6.7.3 | To determine the minimum number of sites for the initial assessment: |
| a) | First, select a site to satisfy requirements in paragraph 6.7; |
| b) | Select any additional sites necessary to satisfy paragraphs requirements in 6.7.a and 6.7.b; |
| c) | Select any additional sites to satisfy requirements in paragraph 6.7.1.a; |
| d) | Select any additional sites to satisfy paragraph requirements in 6.7.1.b; and |
| e) | Verify that any unselected sites can be assessed during the first year of surveillance. |
| 6.7.4 | For initial assessment and continued accreditation under the ANAB scope of participation in the International Accreditation Forum/ Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (IAF/ APAC MRA) or if mandated by an external entity that controls the certification schemes ANAB shall in addition to visiting the main office of the applicant or accredited certification body, visit all other premises of the certification body from which one or more key activities are performed and which are covered by the scope of accreditation. |
| 6.8 | ANAB utilizes several assessment techniques to assess conformity assessment bodies which include, but not limited to: desktop reviews, onsite and/or remote assessments and witness assessments. |
| 6.9 | The assessment team conducts the on-site/remote and witness assessments based on the assessment plan. The assessment commences with an opening meeting at which the purpose of the assessment and all the assessment activities (on-site, remote, witness) are completed before assessments begin. The assessment schedule and the scope of assessment are also confirmed. |
| 6.10 | A closing meeting takes place between the assessment team and the certification body representatives at the end of the assessment. At the closing meeting, the ANAB assessment team provides a summary report, its findings identified during the assessment, and requirements for submitting corrective action plans. All corrective action plans are submitted in accordance with ANAB procedure. During the closing meeting an opportunity is provided for the certification body to seek clarification on the findings including the nonconformities, if any, and their basis |
| 6.11 | The ANAB assessment team analyzes all relevant information and evidence gathered during the document review as well as all assessments. This analysis shall be sufficient to allow the ANAB assessment team to determine whether fulfillment of ANAB accreditation requirements, including ISO/IEC 17065, PRO-PL-102, the applicant's own policies and procedures, and the certification scheme (s) has been demonstrated. If necessary or appropriate, formal nonconformity reports (NCRs) are issued via ANAB's web based tool for insufficient evidence of fulfillment of requirements or evidence of noncompliance of fulfillment of requirements. Applicant responses to deficiencies identified in NCRs require root cause analysis; corrective action(s); and demonstration of effectiveness of the corrective action. The team's observations on areas for possible improvement are reported in writing to the applicant about the product certification program; however, consultancy shall not be provided. |
| Where the ANAB assessment team cannot reach a conclusion about a finding, the team should refer to ANAB for clarification. |
| 6.12 | An assessment report covering all assessment activities is prepared by the assessment team and submitted to ANAB. The report includes assessment details, NCRs issued, and concerns identified. |
| 6.13 | The certification body is invited to comment on the final assessment report. If the report on the outcome of the assessment differs from the report presented during the closing meeting of the assessment, ANAB provides an explanation to the assessed certification body, in writing. ANAB and the assessment team considers any comments submitted and finalize the report, as appropriate. |
| 6.14 | ANAB as an accreditation body is responsible for the content of its accreditation reports. |
| 6.15 | If a response with the analysis of the extent and cause (e.g. root cause analysis) of nonconformities as well as corrective action(s) has been received from the applicant, the response is reviewed by the assessment team (lead assessor and/or the technical assessor) for acceptability and recorded in accordance with internal procedures. The response and any comments by the assessor regarding its acceptability are submitted to the certification body. |
| 6.16 | Responses to all NCRs must be accepted by the assessment team and appropriate ANAB staff. Acceptance of the responses is based upon evaluation and review by the assessment team and appropriate ANAB staff to see if the actions appear to be sufficient and effective. The assessment team verifies whether all deficiencies and concerns have been adequately addressed by the applicant. Additionally, evidence of effective implementation of actions taken may be requested or a follow-up assessment(s) and/or additional witness assessment(s) may be required to verify effective implementation of corrective actions. |
| 6.17 | For certification body applicants that do not complete the accreditation process one year after the submission of the application, the applicant may have to re-submit a new application to ANAB and pay a new application fee, unless the delay is approved by ANAB. |
| 7 | Decision on Accreditation |
| 7.1 | After the assessment for initial accreditation is concluded, ANAB selects two or more competent members of the ACC who have declared no conflict with the applicant to serve as an Evaluation Task Group (ETG). If the applicant objects any of the proposed name(s), ANAB provides alternative names to serve as ETG members. The ETG reviews the Applicant accreditation records for the initial accreditation. The results of the ETG review, including a recommendation regarding the accreditation decision, are forwarded to ANAB staff. |
| 7.2 | The information provided to the ETG at a minimum: |
| a) | assessment report |
| 1) | unique identification of the product certification body; |
| 2) | date(s) of assessments; |
| 3) | name(s) of the assessor(s) and/or experts involved in the assessments; |
| 4) | unique identification of all premises assessed; and |
| 5) | proposed scope of accreditation that was assessed. |
| b) | statement on the adequacy of the internal organization and procedures adopted by the product certification body to give confidence in its competence, as determined through its fulfillment of the requirements for accreditation; |
| c) | information on the resolution of all nonconformities; |
| d) | any further information that may assist in determining fulfillment of requirements including requirements for the competence of the product certification body; |
| e) | where applicable, a recommendation on granting or reducing accreditation for the proposed scope; and |
| f) | basis of the fulfillment ISO/IEC 17020, ISO/IEC 17021-1, and ISO/IEC 17025, as applicable, for bodies performing evaluation activities. |
| 7.2.1 | The ETG reviews the assessment report (see 6.12) and determines if the assessment is complete as a demonstration of fulfillment of all requirements and adherence to the certifications scheme(s). If the ETG desires that the assessment report be clarified and/or additional tasks be performed, ANAB staff respond accordingly and submit an amended report to the ETG. A copy of the amended report is sent to the applicant and assessor(s) for review and comment. If, based on the revised report, the ETG determines fulfillment of any requirement or adherence to the certification scheme(s) has not been demonstrated, appropriate ANAB staff make a determination on whether to continue with the application with an additional assessment activity or allow the applicant to withdraw and/or ANAB to terminate the application. |
| 7.3 | ANAB staff prepare a recommendation based on the ETG conclusion for the accreditation decision by the ACC. The recommendation is presented to the ACC for a vote on granting or denying accreditation in accordance with Committee Operating Procedures (PRO-PL-103). |
| 7.4 | If the Committee votes to deny accreditation, the basis for denial is documented. |
| 7.5 | Following approval by the ACC, ANAB notifies the applicant in writing of the approval. This notification includes information related to the scope of accreditation. If the ACC votes to not approve the accreditation, ANAB promptly notifies the applicant in writing and includes the basis for the ACC's decision along with information on any additional steps to be taken by the applicant, which may be deemed appropriate. The applicant may also appeal the decision in accordance with the appeals procedures. |
| 7.6 | The applicant, after correcting all outstanding deficiencies/concerns, may reapply to ANAB for accreditation at any time. Resubmission necessitates payment of an additional fee. |
| 7.7 | All other decisions to grant accreditation (continued accreditation and scope extension) are made by appropriate ANAB staff who have not participated in any assessment activities |
| 7.8 | ANAB considers accreditation deliverables (document review report, assessment or witness assessment report) conducted by an accreditation body that is signatory to the International Accreditation Form Multilateral Recognition Agreement (MLA). ANAB validates the reports and reviews the content to determine if the content is equivalent to the ANAB deliverables prior to acceptance of it in part or full. |
| 8 | Accreditation Fees and Expenses |
| 8.1 | ANAB determines accreditation fee for each accreditation program. |
| 8.2 | ANAB invoices the applicant for incurred costs and fees in accordance with the current fee schedule. |
| 8.3 | Failure to pay the invoice by its due date may result in ANAB taking one of the following actions: |
| a) | Refusal of any further consideration of the application; and |
| b) | Suspension or withdrawal of accreditation |
| 9 | Accreditation |
| 9.1 | ANAB sends to the newly accredited body the Certificate and Scope of Accreditation. The combination of the certificate of accreditation and the ANAB accreditation directory identifies the following: |
| a) | identity and the ANAB accreditation body logo; |
| b) | the name of the accredited certification body and the name of the legal entity, if different; |
| c) | unique identity of the accredited product certification body; |
| d) | name/identification of the certification scheme(s); |
| e) | The type of certification scheme (product, process or services); |
| f) | Locations of the accredited certification body and, as applicable, all premises from which one or more key activities are performed that are covered by the accreditation; |
| g) | effective date of granting of accreditation and, as applicable, the expiry date; |
| h) | statement of conformity and a reference to the ISO/IEC 17065 and/or other normative document(s), including issue or revision used for assessment of the conformity assessment body; and |
| i) | indication of, or reference to, the technical scope of accreditation (e.g., ICS codes or scope categories defined by the Scheme owner, or the standard(s)or other normative document(s) and/or regulatory requirements to which product, process and services are certified, as applicable. |
| 10 | Continuing Accreditation |
| 10.1 | Continuing accreditation assessment activities are conducted at least annually. The first surveillance assessment is carried out during the next calendar year following the grant of initial accreditation. Subsequent re-assessments are carried out during the next calendar year following the surveillance assessment. The purpose of these activities are to: |
| a) | determine that the certification body continues to operate in compliance with ANAB accreditation requirements and the requirements of ISO/IEC 17065 and certification schemes; and |
| b) | determine if the certification body continues to operate, as described in the accredited body's documentation. |
| Continuing accreditation activities include, but not be limited to: |
| 1) | assessment of headquarters and key/critical locations, if applicable, to selected requirements (ISO/IEC 17065); |
| 2) | assessments of certification body functions to ensure that systems and personnel operations continue to be properly conducted in accordance with the certification scheme(s); |
| 3) | witness assessment(s) as defined in Section 6.4; and |
| 4) | other visits and assessments needed.
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| 10.2 | ANAB plans and schedules on-site surveillance and re-assessment activities. For accredited certification bodies with multiple key/critical locations, the criteria to select key/critical locations are defined in items 6.7 to 6.7.4. |
| 10.3 | ANAB's assessment process for surveillance follows 6.8 through 6.18 above. |
| 10.4 | When nonconformities are identified during surveillance or reassessments, ANAB takes into consideration policies that define strict time limits for corrective actions to be implemented by accredited certification bodies. |
| 10.5 | ANAB reviews ongoing continuing accreditation activities and reports of their status to the ACC. |
| 10.6 | ANAB accreditation is maintained if the results of continuing accreditation activities, including evaluations of any corrective actions taken by the certification body, demonstrate continued fulfillment of accreditation requirements and the ANAB decides in favor of continued accreditation. |
| 10.7 | If the results of continuing accreditation activities, including evaluations of corrective actions taken by the certification body, do not support continued fulfillment of accreditation requirements ANAB attempts to remedy the issues with the certification body. If no remedy can be reached ANAB may decide to suspend or withdraw accreditation. ANAB notifies the certification body of this result in writing. The provisions of Section 11 of PRO-PL-102 applies. |
| 10.8 | ANAB may decide to conduct extraordinary assessments as a result of complaints, changes in structure, personnel, etc. ANAB advises the product certification body if this is to occur. |
| 10.9 | ANAB, in response to an application for extension of scope of an accreditation already granted, undertakes the necessary activities to determine whether the extension of scope may be granted. Where appropriate, assessment and granting procedures are as defined in Sections 5 to 8. |
| 10.10 | ANAB maintains records on accredited certification bodies to demonstrate that requirements for accreditation, including competence, have been effectively fulfilled. |
| 10.10.1 | Records on accredited certification bodies include: |
| a) | relevant correspondence; |
| b) | assessment records and reports; |
| c) | records of committee deliberations, if applicable, and accreditation decisions; and |
| d) | copies of accreditation certificates and scopes.
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| 11 | Suspending, Reducing, Withdrawing, and Reinstating Accreditation |
| 11.1 | ANAB may suspend, reduce or withdraw its accreditation of a certification body for the reasons listed in the accreditation agreement or if any of the following occur: |
| a) | filing of any voluntary or involuntary petition of bankruptcy; |
| b) | making of any arrangement with creditors or holding of "composition of creditors" action in regard to financial difficulties or bankruptcy proceedings;
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| c) | appointment of a receiver for the business; |
| d) | voluntary or involuntary liquidation of the business or the organization; |
| e) | The certification scheme (s) in the scope of accreditation that is discontinued; |
| f) | failure by the certification body to take appropriate and timely corrective action; and |
| g) | systematic non-conformance in meeting the requirements of accreditation or to abide by the rules for accreditation. |
| 11.2 | If at any time during the term of the accreditation agreement the certification body defaults in any way on its obligations to ANAB, ANAB communicates this infraction to the attention of the certification body for immediate correction. The communication to the body includes a notice that if the matter is not immediately corrected, ANAB may suspend the accreditation for 60 days. If the matter remains unresolved, ANAB may terminate the accreditation. The applicant may also appeal the decision in accordance with the ANAB appeals procedure. |
| 11.3 | When ANAB accreditation is suspended, reduced in scope or withdrawn, ANAB includes this information on the ANAB website directory and in any way ANAB deems necessary. |
| 11.4 | The accreditation of the certification body maybe reinstated, when it demonstrates compliance with ANAB accreditation requirements. |
| 12 | Appeal between ANAB and an Applicant or an Accredited Certification Body |
| Appeals against ANAB decisions are handled in accordance with the ANAB appeals procedure. |
| 13 | Complaints Regarding Accredited Certification Bodies |
| Complaints regarding accredited certification bodies are handled in accordance with ANAB complaints procedures. |
| 14 | Complaints Regarding the ANAB Accreditation Program |
| Complaints regarding ANAB Accreditation Program are handled in accordance with ANAB complaints procedures. |
| 15 | Public Notice and Information |
| ANAB maintains a current list of accredited certification bodies. The information in the listing is made available on the internet. |
| 16 | Annual Fee |
| 16.1 | The accredited certification body pays an annual fee, as shown in the current fee schedule. The fee schedule is made available to all applicants and currently accredited certification bodies. |
| 16.2 | Upon loss of ANAB accreditation for any reason (e.g., withdrawal), a certification body is responsible to pay the for the annual fee based upon its gross revenue from ANAB- accredited program from January 1 of that year until the date accreditation was lost. |
| 17 | Modification to Accreditation Policies and Criteria |
| 17.1 | The ACC advises ANAB on modifications to policies and criteria for ANAB accreditation including implementation dates on revised policies, requirements and criteria. |
| 17.2 | If the accreditation policies and criteria, including annexes, are modified, ANAB notifies both accredited bodies and applicants in writing of the modifications. ANAB specifies whether a supplementary assessment is necessary to determine conformance to the modifications. The date on which the modifications become effective is specified. |
| 17.3 | If an applicant certification body informs ANAB that it will not accept the changes, consideration of the application for accreditation is terminated. |
| 17.4 | If an accredited certification body informs ANAB that it accepts the changes, and if the outcome of a supplementary assessment (if appropriate) is favorable, ANAB will, if applicable, issue new or renewed accreditation agreements covering the accredited certification programs. The modifications are considered to be part of the accreditation agreement from the date on which the change(s) take place. |
| 18 | Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information |
| 18.1 | Confidentially and disclosure information is referenced in the Terms and Conditions of Accreditation AG 1008. |