BMTA Newsletter BMTA Newsletter - Spring 2020 | Page 9

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ACCREDITATION GUIDANCE
Wayne Terry
Chief Executive
ABCB
COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on 11th March 2020 following the global spread of the virus, which has already
seen total shut down in some parts of the world. Accreditation plays a major role in national and global trade so it
is important that CBs must strike a balance between supporting trade whilst protecting the wellbeing of staff.
Although maintaining certification is paramount, it is important that CBs consider their corporate and social responsibilities
and take appropriate measures to protect staff, their client’s staff and everyone’s families.
ACCREDITATION GUIDANCE
IAF
IAF have stated that in theory it is possible, that all requirements can be evaluated remotely, including observation of
activities. However, this could change for specific schemes.
The IAF Statement on COVID-19 references the use of remote assessments and the mandatory document to be used by
ABs and CBs – IAF MD4:2018 IAF Mandatory Document for the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
for Auditing and Assessment Purposes. In addition, there is also an informative document on principles for remote
assessments – IAF ID12:2015 Principles on Remote Assessment that can be used in this instance. It is necessary to bear
in mind, however, that regulatory bodies, scheme owners and purchasers might have specific requirements that may need
to be adhered to, and which could take precedence. IAF ID3 Management of Extraordinary Events or Circumstances may
also assist. See Appendix 2 for IAF Frequently Asked questions.
EA
On 23rd March 2020, EA provided a guidance statement on remote auditing, which in essence advises CBs as follows:
Under the current circumstances EA recognise that although not all the applicable standards foresee the use of remote
assessment techniques, including document reviews, and recognising that these assessment techniques may not always
enable exactly the same objective to be achieved as on-site assessments, EA suggests the use of these techniques
whenever needed to substitute or complement on-site assessments.
It is recognised that, in certain circumstances, CBs will have to take difficult decisions that could include stopping the
provision of certain services or temporarily deviating, in order to be able to provide the services, from certain requirements
included in the standards or in the accreditation rules.
When facing these situations, CBs are required to act responsibly, analyse the risk of providing services with deviations
from the requirements and importantly, not to provide them if such deviations jeopardize the technical validity of that
specific activity.
EA expects CBs to act with full transparency, informing affected clients of any change in the procedures and keeping
records justifying the decisions taken.
UKAS
CBs should also refer to UKAS TPS 62, the Management of Extraordinary Events or Circumstances Affecting UKAS
Accredited Certification Bodies and their Certified Organisations and TPS 73, UKAS Policy on Accreditation and Conformity
Assessment During the Coronavirus Outbreak.