Due to a delay in the re-certification process (application of clause 9.6.3.2.5) an organization is temporally without a certificate. (delay of audit + closure of non-conformities) but it seems that the certification status could be reinstalled within 6 months from expiry date.
How is ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, 8.3.5: “The CB shall … take action to deal with incorrect references to certification status” to apply? The organization makes promotion with the certification status on their website and on their business documents (stationery). They state that they need the certification to get business.
Shall the CB enforce clause 8.3.5 for this short period (up to 6 months) that the organization deletes the publicity as “certified company” from the website and shall the CB request stopping the use of the business documentation (stationery) with the certification status as “certified”?
September 2017
During the period between the certificate expiring and the successful completion of the re-certification process, the organization is not certified, according to § 9.6.3.2.4 “then recertification shall not be recommended and the validity of the certification shall not be extended. Τhe client shall be informed and the consequences shall be explained”.
During the suspension period, the status “certified company” as mentioned in its communication, business documentation, but also in the contracts with its own customers (this should not be forgotten), is incorrect, and the CB has to take action in case of incorrect reference to certification status as per § 8.3.5