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This document outlines the audit process for the above referenced standard.
It outlines the stages to audit and gives guidance on what you need to do at each stage.
ACCREDITATION STATUS
We are UKAS Accredited for ISO 22000:2005 Food Management System and FSSC Food Safety
Management Systems Certification. On preparation of the proposal we have identified that you fall
within our UKAS scope of accreditation. This means you are entitled to use both the SGS and UKAS
logos on the completion of a successful audit.
STEP A
A proposal is submitted by SGS for your consideration. We are happy to arrange a visit or discussion
with a Sales Manager or an Auditor to outline the process and discuss your requirements. This
proposal is valid for 60 days. Once the 60 days end, we will review the contract again and issue a
new proposal if necessary.
STEP B
This activity is conducted at your request should you feel a pre-audit would be beneficial. The pre-
audit process is designed to ensure you are ready to proceed to the next stage of certification. The
process is designed to ensure that you have considered all of the requirements of ISO 22000:2005
and/or FSSC22000
This stage also allows us to plan competent and sufficient resources for the main assessment, and to
prepare working documents and audit plans. It also allows us to provide immediate, focused
feedback before you progress to the next stage.
STEP C
This activity is conducted at your site once we have received your application. The audit process
includes an appraisal of your Food Safety Management System documentation and intended scope
of certification, including processes and locations, related statutory and regulatory aspects and
compliance. This stage will also include;
an evaluation of your location and site specific conditions, and discussions with you to
determine the preparedness for the stage II audit;
a review of your status and understanding regarding the requirements of the standard, in
particular with respect to the followings;
Prerequisite programs have been identified and are appropriate to the business (e.g.
regulatory and statutory requirements)
Completeness and accuracy of hazard analysis.
Your FSMS includes adequate process and methods for the identification and
assessment of the food safety hazards and subsequent selection and categorization
of control measures (combinations) whether they need to be managed through
operational prerequisite program or by the HACCP plan.
Currently applicable Food safety legislation is in place for the relevant scope of
certification.
The FSMS is designed to achieve your food safety policy.
The FSMS implementation program justifies proceeding to the stage 2 audit.
The validation, verification and improvement programs conform to the requirements
of the ISO 22000 standard.
STEP D
This stage is usually conducted several weeks after the Stage I activity to ensure that you have time
to implement any of our findings. We are led by the outcome of that stage 1 audit in relation to the
amount of time between these stages; however, planning the required dates into the schedule is
crucial. No more than 6 months is allowed between the Stage 1 and Stage II audit
The on-site audit determines compliance against your documented system and ISO 22000:2005
and/or FSSC22000
All assessment conclusions are based on sampling of audit evidence, to demonstrate effective
implementation of the management system, control over the processes and progress made towards
achieving your stated Food Safety Objectives.
At SGS our audit approach is designed to contribute value to the process and also ensure that your
management system is achieving your goals.
On conclusion of the audit the auditor will make a recommendation dependent on findings. This
recommendation will reflect the level of findings identified during the audit.
Audit Findings: If a critical or major non-conformance is identified and is caused through a
significant breakdown of system control, the certification decision will be deferred until corrective
action has been taken. Minor non-conformance will not prevent recommendation for registration but
may delay it, as planned action must be submitted to and reviewed by SGS, prior to the certification
decision taking place. It is therefore recommended that, where possible, this is presented to the
auditor at the closing meeting. Verification and closure of minor non-conformance will take place at
the next routine surveillance visit. Observations are opportunities for continual improvement or best
practice.
Reporting/Certificate Issue: At the end of the Stage
II audit, the auditor will make their recommendation on
site and talk through the findings. This will include
confirmation of the recommended scope following
assessment. The report is then compiled off site and
reviewed and approved by an authorised report
signatory. Once the certification decision has been
made,the certificate is processed and sent to you. You
will also receive an email with a user name and
password to access your Certified Client Portal, giving
you access to a digital copy of your certificate, the
marks pack including different image formats and the
rules for use, and a copy of your audit report. SGS can
support you in the form of a certificate presentation and
providing a quote for your press release should this be
required.
Example of Marks
UK.PRA1 – Issue 9 Page 3/7
FSSC 22000 Certificates Directory: When the certificate is issued the details of the certificate are
also uploaded to the FSSC 22000 Certificates Directory and the audit details will be displayed on the
public directory at http://www.viasyst.net/fssc.
st
As of 1 January 2015 it is a requirement of the Foundation that audit details and non-
conformities raised at the audit will be uploaded to the FSSC database. These will not be
visible on the public FSSC Certificates directory
STEP E
Once issued certificates are only valid subject to satisfactory maintenance of your system. Ongoing
audits (surveillance visits) are conducted either six-monthly (ISO22000 only) or annually to verify
continued implementation of your Food Safety management system in accordance with “planned
arrangements” and the requirements within the standard. The first surveillance must be conducted
within 12 months of the end of the stage II audit. The choice of surveillance period will be agreed at
the proposal stage and will depend on the scale, nature of your operations and scope of certification.
For ISO22000 certain mandatory elements will be reviewed at every visit together with other pre-
selected processes. For FSSC all processes and procedures will be reviewed. We will work with you
to identify areas that are not conforming to support opportunities for improvement. An Itinerary will be
forwarded in advance of the agreed audit date.
STEP F
TRIENNIAL RE-CERTIFICATION
SGS operates a system of continuous certification. As part of this programme it is not necessary to
conduct a complete assessment. Rather, we conduct a recertification visit which is more in-depth
than a surveillance visit and will ensure that we review all aspects of your system. The recertification
audit must be carried out and the critical/major non-conformances closed prior to the expiry of your
current certificate. The recertification audit is the first visit of your new certification cycle.
GENERAL
PAYMENT TERMS
We will send you an invoice for the fees when we have carried out each stage. Once you receive an
invoice, you must pay it within 30 days after the date of invoice (no matter what your company’s
payment terms) unless we agree otherwise in writing.
If you require a purchase order it is your responsibility to ensure this is supplied to SGS, either prior
to the date of audit on the booking confirmation letter, or given to the auditor during the on-site visit.
SWITCH OF CERTIFICATION
If you have a current certification assessed by an accredited certification body, and this certification is
up to date and in good standing, you can switch to SGS at any time in the process. We will conduct a
review of your current certification and in order for us to do this you will need to send us a copy of
your current certificate, previous visit reports, including the status of any outstanding corrective
actions and the date of your last visit. Following the review we will provide you with a proposal to take
over this certification. Once you have accepted our proposal and dates have been arranged, we
simply take over the next visit.
The process for reporting and certificate issue is the same as outlined above in Step D.
In the event that the company becomes aware of legal proceedings with respect to product safety or
legality, or in event of a product recall, the company shall immediately make SGS aware of the
situation. (For product recall within 3 working days) SGS shall in turn take the appropriate steps to
assess the situation and any implications for the certification, and shall take appropriate action. We
will ask for a full report and investigation to determine the root cause and the corrective actions taken.
We may also carry out an announced or unannounced visit to verify that certification is still valid. This
will be at your cost
It is a condition of undertaking the audit that the auditor can be accompanied by other personnel for
training, assessment or calibration purposes. This may include:-
Training of new auditors
Routine SGS witnessed audits required for accreditation
Routine UKAS witnessed audits required for accreditation
Witness audits by the Foundation
You will be normally be advised of any additional personnel prior to the audit. Apart from trainee
auditors these personnel are independent of the audit process and will not affect the outcome of the
audit unless a food safety or legality issue that would result in a Critical is discovered.
SGS and the Foundation reserve the right to conduct announced or unannounced visits to the site
during the certification cycle once certificated. This may be as a result of complaints or as part of the
routine compliance activity.
YOUR AUDITOR
Due to the speciality of ISO22000 and FSSC Standards and the stringent requirements imposed for
qualifying auditors, it cannot be guaranteed that the auditor allocated will be local to your area. We
can assure you that the auditor will have specialist knowledge of the product(s) and your type of
activities.
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and Certification Company. SGS is
recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS
operates a network of over 1500 offices and laboratories around the world.
We offer the following main services:
Inspection services – we inspect and check the quantity, weight and quality of traded goods.
Inspection usually takes place when goods are moved from one type of transport to another.
Testing services – we test quality and performance of products against various health, safety
and regulatory standards. We use state-of-the-art laboratories on or close to customers’
premises.
Certification services – we confirm that systems or services meet the standards set by
governments, standardisation bodies (for example, ISO 9000) or our customers’ products. We
also develop our own standards to meet our clients’ needs. SGS as an accredited certification
body can provide confidence to clients that professional, experienced auditors are used and
standards are consistently applied.
Verification services – SGS verification services ensure that products and services comply with
global standards and local regulations. Combining global coverage with local knowledge,
unrivalled experience and expertise in virtually every industry, SGS covers the entire supply
chain from raw materials to final consumption.
Training services - We offer over 50 different training solutions in a variety of management
systems complemented by a wide range of other specialised courses. These are offered
publicly, via e-learning or can be delivered in-house to suit your needs.
In the UK, SGS employs over 900 staff based in over 30 regional offices. Our certification section
provides independent certification and audits to a range of standards, including:
SSC Codes of Practice. ¤ SGS SA 2004-2008- Last update on February 21 2008 – Published on line on November 24 2008
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17. CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE
Following a successful assessment an amended Certificate will be
issued covering those aspects covered by the extended Scope. A Certificate will be cancelled if (i) the Client advises the
Certification Body in writing that it does not wish to renew the
Certificate or goes out of business, (ii) the Client no longer offers
12. SYSTEM/PRODUCT MODIFICATION the products or (iii) the Client does not timely commence application
The Client shall inform the Certification Body, in writing, of any for renewal.
intended modification to the management system, products or In cases of cancellation no reimbursement of assessment fees shall
manufacturing process which may affect compliance with the be given and notified to the appropriate accreditation body, if any.
standards, norms or regulations. The Certification Body will
determine whether the notified changes require additional 18. RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITED ORGANISATIONS
assessment. Failure to notify the Certification Body of any intended
modification may result in suspension of the Certificate. The Certification Body, in its absolute discretion, generally
recognises the certificates issued by other accredited organisations
13. PUBLICITY BY CLIENT where this does not compromise the integrity of a system or product
certification scheme.
In compliance with the applicable Regulations governing the
relevant mark(s), a Client may render public that its relevant 19. APPEALS
management system or products have been certified and may print
the relevant certification mark on stationery and publicity materials The Client has the right to appeal any of the decisions made by the
relating to the scope of certification. Certification Body.
In any case, the Client shall ensure that its announcements and Notification of the intention to appeal must be made in writing and
advertising material do not create confusion or could otherwise received by the Certification Body within seven days of receipt.
mislead third parties about certified and non-certified systems, An Appeals Form will be sent to the Client for completion and must
products or sites. be returned to the Certification Body within 14 days of receipt,
supported by relevant facts and data for consideration during the
14. MISUSE OF CERTIFICATE AND CERTIFICATION MARK Appeals Procedure.
The Certification Body shall take suitable action, at the expense of All appeals are forwarded to the Certification Body and are put
the Client, to deal with incorrect or misleading references to before the appeal’s committee. The Certification Body shall be
certification or use of Certificates and certification marks. These required to submit evidence to support its decision. Any decision of
include suspension or withdrawal of Certificate, legal action and/or the Certification Body shall remain in force until the outcome of the
publication of the transgression. appeal.
The decision of the appeal’s committee shall be final and binding on
15. SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATE both the Client and the Certification Body. Once the decision
regarding an appeal has been made, no counter-claim by either
A Certificate may be suspended by the Certification Body for a party in dispute can be made to amend or change this decision.
limited period in cases such as the following: In instances where the appeal has been successful no claim can be
(a) if a Corrective Action Request has not been satisfactorily made against the Certification Body for reimbursement of costs or
complied with within the designated time limit; or any other losses incurred.
(b) if a case of misuse as described in Clause 14 is not corrected 20. COMPLAINTS
by suitable retractions or other appropriate remedial measures by
the Client; or If anybody has cause to complain to the Certification Body, the
(c) if there has been any contravention of the Proposal, Application complaint shall be made in writing, without delay, and addressed to
for Registration, General Conditions for Certification Services, these the Certification Manager of the Certification Body. If the complaint
Codes of Practice or the Regulations governing the use of the is made against the Certification Manager, the letter of complaint
certification mark; or shall be addressed to the Managing Director of the Certification
Body.
(d) if products are being placed on the market in an unsafe or non-
conforming condition. The complaint shall be acknowledged in writing following receipt.
(e) if audits are not carried out within the prescribed timeframe. The complaint will then be independently investigated by the
Certification Body and closed on satisfactory conclusion of the
The Client shall not identify itself as certified and shall not use any investigation. Following closure the complainant will be informed
certification mark on any products that have been offered under a that the investigation has reached its conclusion.
suspended Certificate.
The Certification Body will confirm in writing to the Client the THE CERTIFICATION BODY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADD
suspension of a Certificate. At the same time, the Certification TO, DELETE OR CHANGE THESE CODES OF PRACTICE
Body shall indicate under which conditions the suspension will be WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION.
removed. At the end of the suspension period, an investigation will UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPLICITLY AGREED IN WRITING, ALL
be carried out to determine whether the indicated conditions for SERVICES ARE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL
reinstating the Certificate have been fulfilled. On fulfilment of these CONDITIONS FOR GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR
conditions the suspension shall be lifted and the Client notified of CERTIFICATION SERVCES. IN CASE OF CONFLICT WITH ANY
the Certificate reinstatement. If the conditions are not fulfilled the OTHER PROVISION, THE LATTER SHALL PREVAIL.
Certificate shall be withdrawn.
All costs incurred by the Certification Body in suspending and
reinstating a Certificate will be charged to the Client.
SSC Codes of Practice. ¤ SGS SA 2004-2008- Last update on February 21 2008 – Published on line on November 24 2008
st th
General Conditions for Certification Services
1. GENERAL Report is not binding on the Certification Body and the decision to
issue a Certificate is at the sole discretion of the Certification
1.1 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all offers or services and all Body.
resulting contractual relationship(s) between SGS SA, any affiliated
companies of SGS SA or any of their agents (each “SGS”) to any 3.3 Client acknowledges that SGS, either by entering into the
person applying for certification services (the “Client”) shall be Contract or by providing the Services, neither takes the place of
governed by these General Conditions. Client or any third party, nor releases them from any of their
obligations, nor otherwise assumes, abridges, abrogates or
1.2 These General Conditions, and, as applicable, the Proposal, the undertakes to discharge any duty of Client to any third party or
Application, the Codes of Practice, the SGS Certification Marks that of any third party to Client.
License Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement (the
“Contract”) between the Client and SGS with respect to the subject 3.4 Certification, suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of a
matter hereof. Save as otherwise provided no variation to the Certificate shall be in accordance with the applicable Codes of
Contract shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by or on Practice.
behalf of the Client and SGS.
3.5 SGS may delegate the performance of all or part of the
1.3 Where a Certificate is issued to the Client, SGS will provide the Services to an agent or a subcontractor and Client authorises
Services using reasonable care and skill and in accordance with the SGS to disclose all information necessary for such performance to
Codes of Practice then in force of the relevant Certification Body. A the agent or subcontractor.
copy of such Codes of Practice, and any amendments to it as may
be issued from time to time, will be supplied by the Certification 4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE CLIENT
Body to the Client upon commencement of the Services.
4.1 The Client shall ensure that all product samples, access,
2. DEFINITIONS assistance, information, records, documentation and facilities are
made available to SGS when required by SGS, including the
“Accreditation Body” means any organisation (whether public or assistance of properly qualified, briefed and authorised personnel
private) having the authorisation to appoint Certification Bodies; of the Client. The Client shall in addition provide SGS free of
charge suitable space for conducting meetings.
“Application“ means the request for services by a Client;
4.2 So far as it is permitted by law, the Client acknowledges that, it
“Certificate“ means the Certificate issued by a competent has not been induced to enter into the Contract in reliance upon,
Certification Body; nor has it been given, any warranty, representation, statement,
assurance, covenant, agreement, undertaking, indemnity or
“Certification Body” means any SGS company having the commitment of any nature whatsoever other than as are expressly
authorisation to issue Certificates; set out in these General Conditions and, to the extent that it has
been it unconditionally and irrevocably waives any claims, rights
“Codes of Practice” means those codes of practice issued by a or remedies which it might otherwise have had in relation thereto.
Certification Body in accordance with the relevant certification Any conditions or stipulations included in the Client standard form
scheme; documents which are inconsistent with, or which purport to modify
or add to, these General Conditions shall have no effect unless
“Proposal” means the outline of services to be rendered by SGS to expressly accepted in writing by SGS.
the Client.
4.3 The Client shall take all necessary steps to eliminate or
"Report" a report issued by SGS to the Client indicating whether or remedy any obstacles to or interruptions in the performance of the
not a recommendation to issue a Certificate is to be made. Services.
“SGS Certification Mark License Terms and Conditions” means the 4.4 In order to allow SGS to comply with the applicable health and
terms and conditions of use of the licensed SGS Certification Mark. safety legislation the Client shall provide SGS with all available
information regarding known or potential hazards likely to be
encountered by SGS personnel during their visits. SGS shall take
3. SERVICES all reasonable steps ensure that whilst on the Client’s premises,
its personnel comply with all health and safety regulations of the
3.1 These General Conditions cover the following services (“the Client, provided that the Client makes SGS aware of the same.
Services”):
4.5 For product conformity certification under an EC Directive the
(a) System certification services: quality, environmental, safety, Client shall comply with all the provisions of that Directive. In
health and other management system certification in particular, the Client may only affix the EC mark of conformity
accordance with international or national standards; when all the requirements of that Directive are met.
(b) Product conformity certification services in accordance with 4.6 The Client may only reproduce or publish extracts of any
EC Directives or national legislation and product certification report of SGS if the name of SGS does not appear in any way or
services in accordance with non-mandatory normative the Client has obtained the prior written authorisation of SGS.
documents, specifications or technical regulations; SGS reserves its rights to lodge a complaint in case of disclosure
(c) Service certification services in accordance with non- in breach of this clause or disclosure which SGS considers in its
mandatory normative documents, specifications or technical sole discretion is abusive. The Client shall not publicise details of
regulations; the way in which SGS performs, conducts or executes its
operations.
(d) process certification services;
4.7 The Client shall immediately inform SGS of any and all
(e) skills certification services. changes in their premises which may affect their management
system, their service their products, their process or their skills.
3.2 On completion of an assessment programme, SGS will prepare Any breach of this obligation to inform may lead to the withdrawal
and submit to the Client a Report. Any recommendation given in a of the Certificate. Furthermore the Client is bound to inform SGS
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA
Edition 2: June 2005
General Conditions for Certification Services
of any major non conformity identified during internal audits 5.10 Client shall pay all SGS’ collection costs including reasonable
undertaken by the Client, its partners or public authorities. attorney’s fees and related costs.
5.1 The fees quoted to the Client cover all stages leading to 6.1 SGS shall retain in its archive for the period required by the
completion of the assessment programme or operations and the relevant Accreditation Body or by law in the country of the
submission of a Report and of the periodic surveillances to be Certification Body all materials relating to the assessment
carried out by SGS for the maintenance of the Certificate. As fees programme and surveillance programme relating to that
are based on the charge rate applicable at the time of submitting a Certificate.
Proposal, SGS reserves the right to increase charges during the
registration period. SGS may also increase its fees if the Client’s 6.2 At the end of the archive period, SGS shall transfer, retain or
instructions change or are found to be not in accordance with the dispose of the materials at its discretion, unless instructed
initial details supplied to SGS prior to it providing the relevant fee otherwise by the Client. Fees for carrying out such instructions will
quotation. Clients will be notified of any increase in fees. be invoiced to the Client.
5.2 Additional fees shall be charged for operations that are not 7. REPORT AND CERTIFICATE OWNERSHIP AND
included in the Proposal and for work required due to non- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
conformances being identified. These will include, without limitation,
costs resulting from: Any document including, but not limited to any Report or any
Certificate, provided by SGS and the copyright contained therein
(a) repeats of any part, or all, of the assessment programme or shall be and remain the property of SGS and the Client shall not
operations due to the registration procedures and rules not being alter or misrepresent the contents of such documents in any way.
met; The Client shall be entitled to make copies for its internal
purposes only. Duplicates of Certificates are available upon
(b) additional work due to suspension, withdrawal and/or request for external communication purposes.
reinstatement of a Certificate;
(c) reassessment due to changes in the management system or 8. COMMUNICATION
products, process or services; or The Client may promote its certification in accordance with the
(d) compliance with any subpoena for documents or testimony terms set out in the Regulations governing the use of the
relating to work performed by SGS. certification marks. Use of SGS’ corporate name or any other
registered trademarks for advertising purposes is not permitted
5.3 Without prejudice to clause 5.2, additional fees will be payable at without SGS’ prior written consent.
SGS’ charging rates in force from time to time in respect of rush
orders, cancellation or rescheduling of services or any partial or full 9. CONFIDENTIALITY
repeats of the assessment programme or operations which are 9.1 As used herein, “Confidential Information” shall mean any
required as set out in the Codes of Practice. oral or written proprietary information that a party may acquire from
the other party pursuant to the Contract or information as to the
5.4 A copy of SGS’ prevailing charging rates is available on request business of the other party provided, however, that Confidential
from SGS. Information shall not include any information which (1) is or
hereafter becomes generally known to the public; (2) was available
5.5 Unless otherwise stated all fees quoted are exclusive of to the receiving party on a non-confidential basis prior to the time
travelling and subsistence costs (which will be charged to the Client of its disclosure by the disclosing party; (3) is disclosed to a party
in accordance with SGS Travel Expense Policy). All fees and by an independent third party with a right to make such disclosure.
additional charges are exclusive of any applicable Value Added Tax,
Sales Tax or similar tax in the country concerned. 9.2 Unless required by law or by a judicial, governmental or
other regulatory body, neither party nor their agents or
5.6 Following submission of the Report to the Client, SGS shall issue subcontractors shall use the Confidential Information other than for
an invoice to the Client. Invoices for additional and further work will the purpose of the Contract nor disclose the other’s Confidential
be issued on completion of the relevant task. Unless advance Information to any person or entity without the prior written
payment has been agreed upon, all invoices are payable within thirty approval of the other party except as expressly provided for herein.
(30) days of the date of each invoice (the “Due Date”) regardless of
whether the Client’s system or products qualify for certification failing 10. DURATION AND TERMINATION
which interest will become due at a rate of 1.5% per month (or such
other rate as may be established in the invoice) from the Due Date 10.1 Unless otherwise agreed, the Contract shall continue
up to including the date payment is actually received. (subject to the termination rights set out in these General
Conditions) for the term set forth in the Proposal (the "Initial
5.7 Any use by the Client of any Report or Certificate or the Term"). On expiry of the Initial Term, the Contract shall renew
information contained therein is conditional upon the timely payment automatically unless and until either party notifies the other in
of all fees and charges. In addition to the remedies set out in the writing that the Contract will terminate at least three months prior
Codes of Practice, SGS reserves the right to cease or suspend all to the expiry of the Initial Term or on three months' notice any
work and/or cause the suspension or withdrawal of any Certificate for time after the Initial Term.
a Client who fails duly to pay an invoice.
10.2 SGS is entitled, at any time prior to the issue of a Certificate,
5.8 Client shall not be entitled to retain or defer payment of any sums to terminate the Contract if the Client is in material breach of its
due to SGS on account of any dispute, counter claim or set off which obligations and, following receipt of notice of such breach, the
may allege against SGS. Client fails to remedy to the satisfaction of SGS such breach
within 30 days.
5.9 SGS may elect to bring action for the collection of unpaid fees in
any court having competent jurisdiction. 10.3 Either Party shall be entitled to terminate immediately the
provision of the Services in the event of any arrangement with
(d) "Certification Scheme number" means the number which is (f) When used on flags, on vehicles, on larger boxes or on
indicated in each particular Standard. over-packaging not reaching end users, on window
stickers, on promotional goods such as pocket diaries,
(e) “Client” means the company to whom a Certificate is issued. coffee mugs, coasters, doormats, the Certification Mark
shall be used without the Accreditation Mark.
(f) “Codes of Practice” means a technical document describing
SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA's conditions under (g) It may use the Accreditation Mark on stationery such as
which the Certificate and the Certification Mark may be sales and contractual documents, letterheads, business
delivered, renewed, suspended or canceled. cards, invoices, compliment slips, delivery slips, on
advertising such as advertisements, displays, posters, TV
(g) “Communication Media” means Client's advertising such as advertisements, promotional videos, web sites, brochures,
advertisements, displays, posters, TV advertisements, on outdoor advertisements such as billboards and signs
promotional videos, web sites, brochures, Client's promotional provided that the Accreditation Mark appears in close
goods such as pocket diary, coffee mugs, coasters, doormats; association with the Certification Mark and that the
Client's outdoor advertisements such as billboards and signs; Accreditation Body has permitted such use.
Client's stationery such as sales and contractual documents,
letterheads, business cards, invoices, compliment slips, (h) It will not use the Certification Mark or the Accreditation
delivery slips; Client’s vehicles, Client's flags and window Mark on test reports or certificates of compliance such as
stickers and any other communication media intended for his calibration certificates or certificates of analysis.
customers.
(i) It may use the Certification Mark on its web site, provided
(h) "Improper Use" of the Certification Mark means any use which that the Certification Mark is used as an hypertext link from
infringes these Regulations. It also means imitation, its web site to the following URL of SGS Société Générale
counterfeiting and dilution of the Certification Mark. de Surveillance SA’s web site
http://www.sgs.com/certifiedclients and that it signs a Link
(i) “Standard” means the specifications that the management and SGS System Certification Mark Use Agreement that will
system should present as well as the means of controlling the be provided by the Certification Body or, when available,
compliance of the management system to these specifications. that it agrees on line to the Link and SGS System
Certification Mark Use Agreement that is available on the
(j) “Use” means the lawful, authorized, restricted, non-exclusive, following URL:
limited and revocable right to use the Certification Mark. http://sgsqualitynetwork.com/regmarks/colour.php.
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA – SSC Mark Rules – Issue 4 – June 2003
Regulations governing the use of SGS System Certification Mark
Mark or any imitation thereof, make or assert any claim of 9. CHANGES TO THE LEGISLATION
ownership to the Certification Mark and dispute the right of
the Certification Body, its successors or assigns, to The Certification Body complies with all national and international
authorize the use of the Certification Mark as provided laws, regulations and standards in force concerning the right to
herein. use the Certification Mark or the conditions for obtaining said right.
It will give the Client notification of the changes thereto and the
(k) It will, upon the suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of Client will be obligated to apply all modifications resulting from said
the Certificate, forthwith discontinue the use of the changes.
Certification Mark or any reference thereto, of the
Accreditation Mark and will not thereafter use any copy or
imitation thereof. 10. CHANGES TO THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE
USE OF THE MARK
(l) In case of take-over or merger, written permission from the
Certification Body is mandatory in order to transfer the The Certification Body reserves the right to modify these
right to use the Certification Mark. Regulations at any time. It will give the Client written notification of
all changes thereto and the Client will be obligated to apply said
3.2 Use of the Certification Mark does not exonerate the Client changes.
from any liability imposed by law regarding the performance
of its services and the performance, design, manufacturing,
shipment, sale or distribution of its products. 11. TECHNICAL DETAILS
6. RENUNCIATION
Appendix 1
The Client may renounce or suspend the use of the Certification
Mark for a certain period of time. It will give the Certification Body CERTIFICATION MARK
written notification and make all changes regarding its
Communication Media. Based on this information the Certification
Body shall inform the Client of the terms and conditions for
temporary or definitive termination of use of the Certification Mark.
7. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA – SSC Mark Rules – Issue 4 – June 2003