Adapting to COVID-19: ISO 14001 accredited certification – changes to surveillance audits and certificate renewal assessments during the pandemic

This webinar, part of IEMA’s “Adapting to COVID-19” series, outlines changes to UKAS policy on accreditation and conformity assessment during the coronavirus pandemic and explores the challenges being faced by businesses to maintain ISO 14001 accredited certification.

For many organisations, ISO 14001 is a contractual requirement and maintaining accredited certification is essential. At a time of restricted travel, home working and large parts of society and the economy in turmoil, what arrangements are in place to support organisations and what can be expected from certification bodies?

Sunny Pawar, Group Environment and Sustainability Manager at First Group plc outlined the challenges being faced in the transport sector, where commercial and public-sector contacts require ISO 14001 certification.

Jeff Ruddle, Strategic Development Director at UKAS, explained policy changes UKAS is introducing to surveillance audits and certificate renewal assessments which will guide certification bodies’ work with organisations.

Martin Baxter, IEMA’s Chief Policy Advisor hosted a Q&A discussion with Sunny and Jeff to address questions and queries from IEMA members.

Presentations

IEMA Webinar slides - CLICK HERE

COVID-19: UKAS policy on Assessment - J,Ruddle, UKAS - CLICK HERE

Webinar Q and A's

Q- Time frame between stage 1 and stage 2 audit – can this be extended at this time?

A- There is no specified time limits between stage 1 and stage 2 in ISO/IEC17021-1: 2015, but some schemes have added limitations (e.g. Aerospace). We would expect that in the case of an extended period between them, the CB considers the risks to determine if the Stage 1 needs to be repeated. Expectations have not changed in this regards, but the potential risk probably have, so CBs need to be mindful of this. Each case needs to be taken on its merits with appropriate justification.

Q- When expiry is extended under ID3 what date is renewed certification from, original or extended date?

A- The Original date.

Q- 14001 Site tour requirement – can this be done remotely at this time?

A- Where a site tour is required it is possible to carry this out remotely as long as the principles of IAF MD4 can be demonstrated and the objective of the site tour have been achieved.