Planning meetingCertification audit, stage 1 Pre-audit (optional) Document review Prior to every certification audit a planning meeting is conducted where the organization is described and the scope of the audit and the audit programme is discussed. A contract is written that defines the audit. The contract is based upon information left by the organization and an offer made by A.g.R Certification where costs and agreed time for the certification audit is specified. After this an audit team is selected based upon competence and with regards taken to the organization audited inclusive potential need for a technical expert. If the organization so wishes a pre-audit is conducted. The purpose of the pre-audit is to make the organization aware of potential major nonconformities in the management system. The organization sends a copy of their management system to the audit team. At stage 1 of the certification audit the audit team conduct a document review of the organization's management system together with management representative. During the review they control that the management system fulfil the requirements in the applicable standard. From the result of the review a audit program for stage 2 of the certification audit is created. The audit team also locks at the premises and equipment if possible. The audit team documents any nonconformity against the standard and issues these in writing together with a report to the organization. After the audit, the organization has 12 weeks to present corrections of the nonconformities. When the nonconformities has been corrected and evidence (e.g. a new procedure, minutes or verifications) there of been accepted, stage 2 is prepared.

Certificate maintenance The certificate is valid during 3 years, under the condition that surveillance audits are conducted and that nonconformities identified during these are corrected. In god time prior too the end of the 3 year cycle a reassessment is carried out. Surveillance audits can be conducted annually or twice a year depending of the maturity of the organization and their management system or on their request. The purpose with these audits is to secure that the management system is maintained, develops and improves. Granting of certificateCertification audit, stage 2 At stage 2 of the certification audit the auditors shall verify that the management system is well implemented. The audit team monitors the activities on-site, interview employees and conduct further document reviews. All key personnel shall be available for interviews. The audit team document any nonconformity against the standard and issue these in writing together with a report to the organization. After the audit, the organization has 12 weeks to present corrections of the nonconformities. When the nonconformities has been corrected and evidence (e.g. a new procedure, minutes or verifications) there of been accepted, a certificate can be issued. A certificate can not be issued, until all nonconformities are satisfyably corrected and when needed a post-audit conducted (if written evidence is not enough). When the nonconformities are corrected, to the audit team's satisfaction, a certificate is prepared. All nonconformities and evidence of how they have been corrected are then handed over to an auditor who has not taken part in the audit for a second assessment and evaluation. When all documentation has been approved by this auditor a certificate can be granted. On the certificate is among other things a description och the activity of the organization (scope) and any possible exceptions.