Certification

ISO 14001 TRANSITION POLICY

The International Organisation for Standardisation published the ISO 14001:2015 standards in September 2015. A three-year moratorium has been given to all systems previously certified to 14001:2004 to transit to the new standard.

The Publication of the new standard does not automatically mean cessation of the 2004 edition; SON-MSC is allowing applications to be processed against NIS ISO 14001:2004 up until August, 2018. This is because we acknowledge the fact that some organizations have gone well into the implementation of the earlier version and would like to use the transition period to upgrade.

However the point to note is that any organisation that is issued a certificate now for NIS ISO 14001:2004 will expire on 14th September, 2018 and so will mandatorily conclude its transition audit to the 2015 version not later than 15th August 2018.

In line with the accreditation requirement we are mandated to communicate the official SON-MSC transition policy to our clients and interested parties.

There are three transition program options for our clients as follows:

Stand-alone transition audit: Client may choose to apply for transition audit regardless of its status in a valid certification audit program. Certificate after successful completion of audit will be issued reflecting the standing certification program of the client.

Validity of the certificate will last till the end of the certification program and the charge for the transition audit will be one-third of the initial certification man-day

Surveillance/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its surveillance audit within a valid certification audit program.

Validity of the certificate issued upon successful audit completion will be for the duration of the existing 3 year program of the client and will attract a charge of two-third of initial certification Man-day.

Recertification/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its recertification audit before the end of the moratorium.

On successful completion of the transition audit, a certificate will be issued reflecting the duration of a new 3 year certification program. The duration in man- day of the audit shall be equivalent to a full certification audit.

When ready for the transition, the client is required to contact the SON-MSC for the relevant application form. Information received from the form will be reviewed. If adequate, the application will be accepted and an invoice will be issued. The /client will be scheduled for audit within a month to the payment after receiving a payment advice. On completion of the audit, a certificate will be issued expiry of which will be aligned to the existing three (3) years certification program of the client. First date of certifications will be maintained for all clients irrespective of the transition plan.

INTRODUCTION

SON in providing Management Systems Certification is committed to unbiased and impartial service that gives confidence to the public. This policy provides information on how management of impartiality with regard to the various parties associated with SON is being handled.

PARTIES INCLUDE

1. Audit personnel – auditors, technical experts, audit trainees and observers
2. Certification personnel – Client officers, Technical Review Committee, Certification Decision Committee

• • Consultant organizations

Our policy in ensuring that impartiality is maintained when dealing with clients or unanticipated situation include but not limited to:

SON does not provide management system consultancy services neither does SON outsource audits or certification. All services provided by SON-MSC directorate and its parent body, SON, have been identified and reviewed for potential conflicts of interest.

Recognizing that the weight of confidence in our services rest on the competence of our personnel and the integrity of our processes, we are committed to ensuring prompt and effective action to prevent possible threat of

1. Self interest
2. Self review

• • Familiarity

1. Intimidation
2. Advocacy

To that effect threats to impartiality have been identified in our risk register

Personnel taking part in certification activities are required to act impartially when executing their responsibilities and understand potential/perceived conflicts of interest.

Personnel will not be influenced by financial, commercial, or other pressures when conducting certification activities, and will take action to address any situation that would affect impartiality. Personnel are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest in Auditors Declaration Form as well as Audit Plans prior to implementation.

In the event of application from an MDA where the body is an organization in authority over SON-MSC directorate or SON, steps appropriate to mitigating   potential threat that may exist would be taken to ensure objectivity.

OHSAS 18001: 2018 TRANSITION POLICY

The International Organisation for Standardisation has published the ISO 45001:2018 Standard in March, 2018. A three-year moratorium has been given to all systems previously certified to OHSAS 18001:2007 to transit to the new Standard ISO 45001:2018.

However, IAF (the global association for developing the principles and practices for the conduct of conformity assessment) has passed a resolution that as from September, 2020 Conformity assessment bodies must conduct all OHSAS 18001 Initial, Surveillance and Recertification audits to the new version ISO 45001.

SON-MSC will allow applications to be processed and on-going certification to the existing Standard (OHSAS 18001: 2007) up till September, 2020 considering that the publication of the new standard does not automatically mean cessation of the OHSAS 18001: 2007.

Re-assessment/re-certification and Surveillance audits can take place during period of co-existence; but all OHSAS 18001: 2007 certificates will have expiry dates of March, 2021.

New applicants are encouraged to apply straight to the new Standard ISO 45001: 2018. Clients are to take note of this please.

There are three transition program options for clients as follows:

Stand-alone transition audit: Client may choose to apply for transition audit regardless of its status in a valid certification audit program. Certificate after successful completion of audit will be issued reflecting the standing certification program of the client.

Validity of the certificate will last till the end of the certification program and the charge for the transition audit will be one-third of the initial certification man-day

Surveillance/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its surveillance audit within a valid certification audit program.

Validity of the certificate issued upon successful audit completion will be for the duration of the existing 3 year program of the client and will attract a charge of two-third of initial certification Man-day.

Recertification/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its recertification audit before the end of the moratorium.

On successful completion of the transition audit, a certificate will be issued reflecting the duration of a new 3 year certification program. The duration in man-day of the audit shall be equivalent to a full certification audit.

When ready for the transition, the client is required to contact the SON-MSC for the relevant application form. Information received from the form will be reviewed. If adequate, the application will be accepted and a quote will be issued. The client will be scheduled for audit within a month to the payment after receiving a payment advice. On completion of the audit, a certificate will be issued expiry of which will be aligned to the existing three (3) years certification program of the client.First date of certifications will be maintained for all clients irrespective of the Transition plan.

This policy is aimed at ensuring tracking of competence of auditors by the Auditor Evaluation Team (AET)

Competence criteria for AET:

• Lead auditor in relevant management systems such as QMS, EMS, OHSAS, FSMS etc…
• Experience: 8 years auditing experience and 10 years in SON

Effort is geared at ensuring that every auditor is assessed at the point of the audit.

This is aimed at ensuring appropriate qualification, experience, and skill for staff that manages the certification processes.

• Basic qualification, discipline, and relevant training.
• 2 years minimum experience in SON
• Auditor in training undergo 5 audits to become an auditor and Lead Auditor in training undergoes 3 audits to be able to lead a team.
• Record updated in line with the AET policy.

GRANTING

Certification is granted to organizations that have demonstrated conformity to the criteria for certification. Process of achieving SON-MSC certification is provided in route to achieving certification and terms & conditions which are publicly available on SON website.

REFUSING

SON-MSC conducts a review of every application received to determine capability to undertake the conformity assessment activity applied for. Where it is determined that the SON-MSC can or does not have either the competence or the resources to undertake the activity, application is rejected and the Client accordingly informed

MAINTAINING

Certification is maintained through surveillance audits, recertification audits and special audits.

If an organization has not scheduled their audit by the required due date after certification, client is sent a warning letter with a deadline. This is succeeded by a suspension letter where there is no acknowledgment of warning and case will be treated in accordance with Clause of suspension & withdrawal.

Note: The six-month suspension period may be cut short in some situations, e.g. due to certificate expiration falling before the end of the six-month suspension period.

If the required audit is not scheduled and conducted because the client is seeking to transfer to another certification body, SON-MSC will not suspend the certificate in an effort to facilitate the transfer process as long as there is evidence demonstrating that the requirement to have one audit per calendar year can be met.

If the client expresses a desire not to continue certification but requests to keep the certificate active for as long as permitted by requirements, the one audit per calendar year requirement must still be met. If the calendar year has ended and the client has not conducted an audit, the certificate will be cancelled at the end of that calendar year, prior to the actual certificate expiration date.

RENEWAL

Renewal of certification is done after the recertification decision the process of which is described above. This is done after the three year certification period.

SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATE

A Certificate may be suspended by SON-MSC for a limited period in cases such as the following:

• If Corrective Action Requests have not been satisfactorily complied with, within the designated time limit;
• If a case of misuse of the Certificate, is not corrected by suitable retractions or other appropriate remedial measures by the Certificate holder;
• Nonpayment of charges to SON
• The client does not allow surveillance or recertification audit to be carried out at the required frequencies or schedule
• Any other contravention of the SON certification Terms and Conditions.
• The client requests for suspension.

SON-MSC will confirm in writing to the Certificate holder the possibility of suspension of a Certificate. If the reasons for suspension are not eliminated within the specified time, SON-MSC shall notify the certificate holder of suspension in writing. At the same time, SON-MSC shall indicate under which conditions the suspension will be removed. At the end of the suspension period, an investigation will be carried out to determine whether the indicated conditions for reinstating the Certificate have been fulfilled.

Suspension shall not exceed 6 months in any case.

Under suspension the certification is temporarily invalid.

RESTORING

To restore any suspension, client must fulfill suspension conditions, then suspension shall be lifted and the Certificate holder notified of the Certificate reinstatement. If the conditions are not fulfilled the Certificate shall be withdrawn.

WITHDRAWAL OF CERTIFICATE

SON-MSC may withdraw a Certification and recall the Certificate for any of the following reasons:

• When the conditions for suspension have not been removed within the specified time period,
• If a surveillance audit reveals that nonconformities to the requirements are of a serious nature requiring immediate withdrawal as determined by the Certification Decision Committee,
• When formally requested by the Client,
• If the Client no longer supplies the product, process, or services for which they are registered and revision of the scope of certification is not possible,
• If the Certified Organization does not or cannot ensure conformance to new requirements when system requirements are changed, and/or
• If the Client fails to meet any other provisions of the contract between SON-MSC and the Certified Organization.
• If certification period has ended and the client has not renewed the certification is automatically terminated.
• Any certificate withdrawn is treated as a fresh applicant.

A certified Organisation may appeal to SON any decision to suspend or withdraw certification. Appeals are subject to the appeals procedure of SON. In any of these cases, SON has the right to withdraw the certificate by informing the Certificate holder in writing. SON may publish at its discretion details of all suspended, cancelled or withdrawn certificates without prior notice as it sees fit. In cases of withdrawal there is no reimbursement of assessment charges paid.

CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATE

A certificate will be cancelled if the certificate holder advises SON-MSC in writing that it does not wish to renew the Certificate, no longer exists or no longer offers the product, process or service. In case of cancellation, no reimbursement of assessment fees shall be made by SON-MSC.

EXPANDING

The SON-MSC shall, in response to an application for expanding the scope of a certification already granted, undertake a review of the application and determine any audit activities necessary to decide whether or not the extension may be granted. This is conducted in conjunction with a surveillance audit limited audit (special audit)

REDUCING

SON-MSC shall reduce the clients’ scope of certification to exclude the parts not meeting the requirements of “Normative standard” where the client persistently or seriously fails to meet the certification for those parts of the scope of certification.

The client may also request for reduction of scope due to changes in the organization

The decision to reduce the scope may be made following surveillance, recertification or special audit

The decision to reduce the scope shall be communicated in writing

SON-MSC will withdraw the certification documents for the original certification and issue new documents for the reduced scope with the same validity as previous certificate.

The International Organisation for Standardisation published the ISO 9001:2015 standards in September 2015. A three-year moratorium has been given to all systems previously certified to 9001:2008 to transit to the new standard.

The Publication of the new standard does not automatically mean cessation of the 2008 edition; SON-MSC is allowing applications to be processed against NIS ISO 9001:2008 up until August, 2018. This is because we acknowledge the fact that some organizations have gone well into the implementation of the earlier version and would like to use the transition period to upgrade.

However the point to note is that any organisation that is issued a certificate now for NIS ISO 9001:2008 will expire on 14th September, 2018 and so will mandatory conclude its transition audit to the 2015 version not later than 15th August 2018.

In line with the accreditation requirement we are mandated to communicate the official SON-MSC transition policy to our clients and interested parties.

There are three transition program options for our clients as follows:

Stand-alone transition audit: Client may choose to apply for transition audit regardless of its status in a valid certification audit program. Certificate after successful completion of audit will be issued reflecting the standing certification program of the client.

Validity of the certificate will last till the end of the certification program and the charge for the transition audit will be one-third of the initial certification man-day

Surveillance/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its surveillance audit within a valid certification audit program.

Validity of the certificate issued upon successful audit completion will be for the duration of the existing 3 year program of the client and will attract a charge of two-third of initial certification Man-day.

Recertification/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its recertification audit before the end of the moratorium.

On successful completion of the transition audit, a certificate will be issued reflecting the duration of a new 3 year certification program. The duration in man- day of the audit shall be equivalent to a full certification audit.

When ready for the transition, the client is required to contact the SON-MSC for the relevant application form. Information received from the form will be reviewed. If adequate, the application will be accepted and an invoice will be issued. The client will be scheduled for audit within a month to the payment after receiving a payment advice. On completion of the audit, a certificate will be issued expiry of which will be aligned to the existing three (3) years certification program of the client. First date of certifications will be maintained for all clients irrespective of the transition plan.

This policy document presents the process of rephrasing expanding and reduction of the scope of certification.

Expansion

A review of application for expansion of scope is done. The necessary audit activities are decided to take care of processes that have been included. Subsequently, the audit report which could be surveillance or limited audit provides necessary information for appropriate decision.

Reduction

A review of Client’s scope of certification to exclude areas not meeting the requirements of certification following auditor application made by client for reduction of scope is carried out. The audit report which could be recertification, surveillance or limited audit provides necessary information for appropriate decision which is communicated to client.

1 Introduction

This policy defines how SON MSC generates the certification quotation

2    General

2.1 Audit fees are based on auditor time which is calculated based on the requirements in International Accreditation Forum (IAF) document: IAF MD5 (Mandatory document for the determination of audit time of QMS and EMS audits) and ISO/TS 22003 (Food safety management systems – requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems). Consideration is also made to ISO 17023 (Guidelines for determining the duration of management system certification audits).

Individual quotes are prepared for each Client.

The client is also charged Logistics costs which are directly associated with the specific activity. All associated fees shall be notified to the Client in advance.

SON MSC does not charge for Application Fees. Application is free

3   Audit Fees

Audit fees (charged at the SON MSC prevailing rate) shall be invoiced before each certification stage as these depend on the duration of the activity. One extra day shall be charged for audit preparation and reporting.

4. Logistics

4.1 In addition to fees, per diem (subsistence) and travelling expenses are charged as applicable.

• The travel cost is based on each return trip:

1. Road transport is charged per km at the approved government rate as stipulated in civil service.
2. Air transport is charged, where applicable, at the prevailing rate.
3. Terms of Payment

• 1 All payment shall be made upfront and concluded 30 days before scheduled audit date.

5.2. Failure to pay invoices as per agreed terms may result in revocation of certification.

6. Change of Fees

Whenever SON wishes to alter the fees, a written notification shall be sent to the Client at least two calendar months before the implementation of the changes.

INTRODUCTION

Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Management Systems Certification has rules governing the use of any statement on product packaging or in accompanying information that the certified client has a certified management system. Product packaging is considered as that which can be removed without the product disintegrating or being damaged. Accompanying information is considered as separately available or easily detachable. Type labels or identification plates are considered as part of the product.

Certification statements shall in no way imply that the product, process or service is certified by this means. The statement shall include reference to:

• identification (e.g. brand or name) of the certified client;
• the type of management system (e.g. quality, environment) and the applicable standard;
• the certification body issuing the certificate.

The regulations in this document relate to the SON Management Systems Certification Mark (the “Certification Mark”) as shown in the Appendix 1 owned and licensed by SON for the purposes hereof.

The Certification Mark shown in Appendix 1 is an example and it should never be used by the Client as it is. The Certification Body will provide the Client with the right logo to be used.

SON Management Systems Certification reserves the right to replace the Certification Mark as shown in the Appendix 1 by another certification mark at any time.

Use of the Certification Mark is for a renewable three-year period and is strictly limited to the Client whose management system has been successfully certified by the SON Management Systems Certification.

SON also, has rules governing any management system certification mark that it authorizes its certified clients to use. These rules ensure, among other things, traceability back to the SON, that there is no ambiguity, in the mark or accompanying text, as to what has been certified and which Certification body has granted the certification. This mark shall not be used on a product, product packaging or in any other way that may be interpreted as denoting product conformity.

These rules on use of certification mark include:

• The Certification Mark will only be used in the manner prescribed herein and in the Certificate.
• The Certification Mark will be used only in relation to the certified client’s scope of certification and locations covered.
• The Certification Mark on Communication Media will not be in such a way as to create confusion between matters referred to in the scope of certification and other matters.
• The Certification Mark will not be on products including laboratory test, calibration or inspection reports or certificates or packaging in order to avoid confusion with product certification.

1. e) The Certification Mark can be on stationery such as sales and contractual documents, letterheads, business cards, invoices, compliment slips, delivery slips, on advertising such as advertisements, displays, posters, TV advertisements, promotional videos, web sites, brochures, on outdoor advertisements such as billboards and signs, on flags, on vehicles, on window stickers, on promotional goods such as pocket diaries, coffee mugs, coasters, doormats, provided they are not products of the company.

• When used on flags, on vehicles, on window stickers, on promotional goods such as pocket diaries, coffee mugs, coasters, doormats, the Certification Mark shall be used without the Accreditation Mark.
• The Certification Mark or the Accreditation Mark will not be used on test reports or certificates of compliance such as calibration certificates or certificates of analysis.
• Client will not, during the period of validity of the Certificate or thereafter, register or attempt to register the Certification Mark or any imitation thereof, make nor assert any claim of ownership to the Certification Mark and dispute the right of the Certification Body (SONMSC).
• Upon the suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of a Certificate, concerned company shall forthwith discontinue the use of the Certification Mark or any reference thereto, of the Accreditation Mark and will not thereafter use any copy or imitation thereof.
• In case of take-over or merger, written permission from the Certification Body (SONMSC) is mandatory in order to transfer the right to use the Certification Mark.

MONITORING OF THE CLIENT

SON Management Systems Certification may during the entire period of validity of the Certification Mark make or entrust a representative to make all checks deemed necessary.

PENALTIES AND APPEAL

In case of improper use of the Certification mark, the SON Management Systems Certification may forthwith suspend or withdraw the certification and the right to use the Certification Mark in accordance with the sanctions procedure as provided by SON Management Systems Certification Terms and Condition. The Client may appeal the SON Management Systems Certification’s decision in accordance with the appeal procedure that will be provided upon request.

RENUNCIATION

The Client may renounce or suspend the use of the Certification Mark for a certain period of time. It will give SON Management Systems Certification written notification 30 working days in advance and make all changes regarding its Communication Media. Based on this information the SON shall inform the Client of the terms and conditions for temporary or definitive termination of use of the Certification Mark.

CHANGES TO THE LEGISLATION

SON Management Systems Certification complies with all national and international laws, regulations and standards in force concerning the right to use the Certification Mark or the conditions for obtaining said right. It will give the Client notification of the changes thereto and the Client will be obligated to apply all modifications resulting from said changes.

CHANGES TO THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF THE LOGO

SON Management Systems Certification reserves the right to modify these Regulations at any time. It will give the Client 30 working days written notification of all changes thereto and the Client will be obligated to apply said changes.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

• The Certification Mark shown in Appendix 1 is an example and SON Management Systems Certification will provide the Client with the right logo to be used.
• On documents printed in more than one color, the Certification Mark should be used in priority in black and the Nigerian Coat of Arms in color. However, the Client may also use the Certification Mark in grey (65% screened black).
• On documents printed in one color exclusively, the Client may either use the Certification Mark in grey and the exclusive printing color (65% screened of the exclusive printing color).
• On documents printed in more than one color or in one color exclusively, the Certification Mark may also appear on colored backgrounds when it remains clearly visible.
• For web use, the Client may create and use a transparent version of the Certification Mark.
• The Certification Mark can be enlarged as well as reduced as long as the text remains legible.
• When used in combination with the Certification Mark, the Accreditation Mark shall be equal in size or smaller than the Certification Mark.

DISPLAYING CERTIFICATE

When labeling with respect to being certified to an ISO standard:

Don’t say: “ISO certified” or “ISO certification”

Say: “ISO 9001:2015 certified” or “ISO 9001:2015 certification; ISO 14001:2015 certified” or “ISO 14001:2015 certification” (for example).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For questions as to whether proposed use of the certification logo on an advertisement brochure or other promotional material is in conformity with these guidelines, a sample may be sent to SON Management Systems Certification for review.

For the use of the certification logo on electronic documentation (i.e. websites), the same rules as stated in these guidelines apply.

The International Organisation for Standardisation has published the ISO 45001:2018 Standard in March, 2018. A three-year moratorium has been given to all systems previously certified to OHSAS 18001:2007 to transit to the new Standard ISO 45001:2018.

SON-MSC will allow applications to be processed and on-going certification to the existing Standard (OHSAS 18001: 2007) up till October, 2020 considering that the publication of the new standard does not automatically mean cessation of the OHSAS 18001: 2007.

Re-assessment/re-certification and Surveillance audits can take place during period of co-existence; but all OHSAS 18001: 2007 certificates will have expiry dates of March, 2021 extended to September, 2021

New applicants are encouraged to apply straight to the new Standard ISO 45001: 2018. Clients are to take note of this please.

There are three transition program options for clients as follows:

Stand-alone transition audit: Client may choose to apply for transition audit regardless of its status in a valid certification audit program. Certificate after successful completion of audit will be issued reflecting the standing certification program of the client.

Validity of the certificate will last till the end of the certification program and the charge for the transition audit will be one-third of the initial certification man-day

Surveillance/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its surveillance audit within a valid certification audit program.

Validity of the certificate issued upon successful audit completion will be for the duration of the existing 3 year program of the client and will attract a charge of two-third of initial certification Man-day.

Recertification/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its recertification audit before the end of the moratorium.

On successful completion of the transition audit, a certificate will be issued reflecting the duration of a new 3 year certification program. The duration in man-day of the audit shall be equivalent to a full certification audit.

SON-MSC will accept a client undergoing surveillance with ISO 18001:2007 version till 30 September 2020. However, if a client on special note puts up a request not to be able to entertain ISO 45001:2018 version till 30 September 2020, then we may consider the client till 31 Jan, 2021. After, 31^st January, 2021 no further audits for ISO 18001:2007 are permitted.

The last day to schedule any transition audit shall be 30^th June 2021.

Please note that 1 June 2019 onwards SON-MSC was ready to take up any client requests audit against ISO 45001:2018.

Clients are welcome to state that they want the surveillance assessment to be a Transition & SON MSC shall perform it against ISO 45001:2018.

All clients shall be notified that they are required to close their Corrective Action Plans by June 2021.

The expiration date on any ISO 18001:2007 certificate issued after the publication of ISO 45001:2018 will be September 2021. Thus, it may appear that you are not being granted a full, three-year certificate. However, after successful Transition to ISO 45001:2018, the expiry date of your certificate will be amended to reflect a full three-year certification

When ready for the transition, the client is required to contact the SON-MSC for the relevant application form. Information received from the form will be reviewed. If adequate, the application will be accepted and a quote will be issued. The client will be scheduled for audit within a month to the payment after receiving a payment advice. On completion of the audit, a certificate will be issued expiry of which will be aligned to the existing three (3) years certification program of the client.

The International Organisation for Standardisation has published the ISO 22000:2018 Standard in June, 2018. A three-year moratorium has been given to all systems previously certified to ISO 22000:2005 to transit to the new Standard ISO 22000:2018.

SON-MSC will allow new applications to be processed and on-going certification to the existing Standard (ISO 22000: 2005) up till June, 2020 considering that the publication of the new standard does not automatically mean cessation of the ISO 22000: 2005. From 21^st June 2020 it will not be possible to accept or issue new certifications.

If a client’s ISO 22000:2005 certificate expires before they are able to fully transit to the ISO 22000:2018 standard, they may be recertified to ISO 22000:2005 (subject to a cut-off period to allow for subsequent transition)

Please note that no certificate of ISO 22000:2005 shall bear the expiry date later than 31 December 2021 as all the ISO 22000:2005 certificates will be invalid after this particular date.

When you opt for certification to ISO 22000:2005, Transition to new standard i.e. ISO 22000:2018 will be required in between to keep the certificate valid.

SON MSC will however encourage & appreciate current users of ISO 22000:2005 to implement ISO 22000:2018 at an early stage.

Please note that if your organization does not have a Transition audit prior to the end of the Transition period of ISO 22000:2005, and then you will no longer be certified as of the end of the Transition period. In order to become certified to ISO 22000:2018, you will need to start over with an initial audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2).

There are two transition program options for clients as follows:

Surveillance/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its surveillance audit within a valid certification audit program.

Validity of the certificate issued upon successful audit completion will be for the duration of the existing 3 year program of the client and will attract a charge of two-third of initial certification Man-day.

Recertification/Transition audit: A client may choose to have the transition audit combined with its recertification audit before the end of the moratorium.

On successful completion of the transition audit, a certificate will be issued reflecting the duration of a new 3-year certification program. The duration in man-day of the audit shall be equivalent to a full certification audit.

SON-MSC will accept a client undergoing surveillance with ISO 22000:2005 version till 31 December 2020. However, if a client on special note puts up a request not to be able to entertain ISO 22000:2018 version till 31 December 2020, then we may consider the client till 31 Jan, 2021. After, 31^st January, 2021 no further audits for ISO 22000:2005 are permitted.

The last day to schedule any transition audit shall be 31^st September 2021.

Please note that 1 June 2019 onwards SON-MSC shall be ready to take up any client requests audit against ISO 22000:2018.

Clients are welcome to state that they want the surveillance assessment to be a Transition & SON MSC shall perform it against ISO 22000:2018. If you take up your surveillance against ISO 22000:2018, we will however not raise NCRs against the new requirements. Any finding shall be raised as an ‘AREA OF CONCERN”. This will continue up to 31 December 2020. From 31^st  December 2020 to 30^th   December 2021 – Any finding which accounts to a NON CONFORMITY will be raised as a Non- Conformity however be kept as MINOR NON CONFORMITY so that it doesn’t impact the certification status of the client. This will continue up to 31^st  December 2021 post which the ISO 22000:2018 requirements become MANDATORY.

All clients shall be notified that they are required to close their Corrective Action Plans by June 2021.

The expiration date on any ISO 22000:2005 certificate issued after the publication of ISO 22000:2018 will be 19 June 2021. Thus, it may appear that you are not being granted a full, three-year certificate. However, after successful Transition to ISO 22000:2018, the expiry date of your certificate will be amended to reflect a full three-year certification