Certificate Validity & Surveillance Policy

Certificate Validity & Surveillance Policy

1. The Certification Cycle

InterGlobal Certification (IGC) operates on a three-year (3-year) certification cycle. The validity of a certificate is contingent upon the organization successfully completing regular audits to demonstrate the continued effectiveness and maturity of their management system.

2. Initial Certification

The start of the validity period begins on the date of the certification decision. The certificate remains valid for three years, provided that:

• The first surveillance audit is conducted within 12 months of the Stage 2 audit date.
• All non-conformities identified during audits are addressed within the stipulated timeframes.

3. Maintaining Validity: Surveillance Audits

To maintain the validity of a certificate, IGC conducts annual Surveillance Audits. These are not full system audits but are designed to:

• Ensure the management system has been maintained between audits.
• Verify that the system continues to fulfill the requirements of the certified standard.
• Review the effectiveness of any corrective actions taken since the previous assessment.
• Ensure the organization is using the IGC certification marks correctly.

4. Re-Certification

Before the three-year certificate expires, a Re-Certification Audit must be conducted. This is a comprehensive assessment of the entire management system. A successful re-certification extends the validity of the certificate for another three-year cycle.

5. Factors Affecting Validity

A certificate may become invalid, be suspended, or be withdrawn if:

• The surveillance or re-certification audits are not conducted within the required timelines.
• The management system has persistently failed to meet certification requirements.
• The organization fails to notify IGC of significant changes (as defined in the Certification Agreement).
• There is evidence of a major breakdown in the system, such as a significant legal breach or safety incident.

6. Verifying Certificate Status

End users, clients, or stakeholders can determine the validity and current status of any certificate issued by IGC by:

• Accessing our Public Certificate Directory on this website.
• Contacting our administration office at admin@interglobalcert.com
• Scanning the unique QR code provided on the physical certificate.