ISO 44001:2017 Collaborative business relationship management systems – Requirements and framework, provides a mechanism for two or more partners to agree and implement a joint management system for the control of shared and measurable objectives. The standard does not require partnerships to be legal entities (incorporated joint ventures) and is applicable to unincorporated joint ventures and alliances that can comprise of multiple legal entities collaborating through contractual agreements.
44001 recognises that collaborations regularly change and requires documentation and maintenance of relationship plans that enable the management of partner engagement, delivery and exit. It is considered that the concept of bringing together collaborating partners will engage partners that operate at different locations. To assist with this question an example is given below.
Example: A construction company required to repair a section of highway establishes a collaborative relationship with 4 contractors that will provide the following services:
- Traffic management and road closure.
- Supply and installation of tarmac.
- Painting road markings.
- Installation of road signage and lighting.
Each of the above contractors (partners) manages its services from its own headquarter location in conjunction with the contracted collaboration arrangements in place. This activity requires the contribution and participation with the joint management system. The site where the collaboration is implemented will be the sector of highway under repair. Once the highway is repaired to the customers satisfaction the collaboration will be exited.
Is it a requirement of ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 clause 8.2.2 that the certification document must:
- Identify the location (multi-site) of each of the partner headquarters operating under the joint management system and therefore require update each time a partnership is entered or exited?
- Identify the temporary location where the joint activity is being performed, in this case the section of highway?
- Only identify the location of the lead contracting organisation, in this case the construction company?
March 2021
According to ISO/IEC 17021-1 clause 8.2.2a), the certification document(s) shall identify the name and geographical location of each certified client. Therefore, the relevant references in the certification document should be restricted to the identification of the specific legal entity subject to certification and the listing of all partner headquarters operating under the joint management system, within the same certification document should not be applied. Actually, each partner should hold own individual certification document provided that the named partner has successfully undergone the audit and certification process against ISO 44001:2017 standard requirements. Furthermore, the principles of multi-site certification should not be applied given that each partner constitute a separate legal entity.
To this respect, identification of the temporary sites where the certified entity is performing activities relevant to the scope of certification, within the certification document should not be required.