Certification Process Stages
- Proposal & Application Submission: The applicant organization submits the certification scope, operational structure, and supporting data. VRC International reviews the application and issues the certification agreement and quotation.
- Pre-Audit (Optional): A voluntary initial readiness evaluation to identify potential nonconformities prior to the stage-one audit.
- Stage 1 Audit (Document Review): Examination of the completeness of the client's management system documentation, policies, quality objectives, and operational planning to ensure readiness for the next stage.
- Stage 2 Audit (Field / Implementation Audit): Examination of actual implementation evidence at the client's facility, personnel interviews, and verification of process consistency against the referenced standard.
- Evaluation System: Review of all audit reports, nonconformity findings, and verification of the effectiveness of corrective actions taken by the organization.
- Certificate Issuance: An independent decision-making team determines the certification status and issues an official certificate valid for 3 years.
- Surveillance Audit (Year 1 & 2): Periodic oversight audits (conducted every 6 months or annually) to ensure the management system is maintained and functioning optimally.
- Renewal Audit: Re-certification audit conducted toward the end of the certificate's 3-year validity period to continue the certification cycle for the next term.