Q1: In the case of a certification scheme based on a standard EN or ISO or UNI in Italy, if the CAB decides to apply access prerequisites that are not foreseen or in any case different from what is foreseen by the standard itself, should this approach be considered as a proprietary scheme?
For example, ISO 9606 does not foreseen:
- any prerequisites for applicant;
- any third party surveillance activity for issued certificates.
Q2: Does CAB undertaking prerequisites for applicant and/or surveillance activity should be considered as a scheme owner?
Q3: If yes, an evaluation according EA 1/22 shall be implemented or the evaluation of the certification scheme shall be conducted during accreditation assessment?
September 2023
A1: Yes, prerequisites are an element of the certification scheme (ISO 17024 cl. 8.2 e)) and surveillance methods are process requirements (ISO 17024 cl. 8.2 c)). By making a change/addition to the scheme, the CAB automatically becomes the scheme owner.
A2: Yes. The evaluation of the certification scheme shall be conducted during the accreditation assessment.
A3: No, there is no need to proceed with an EA 1/22 evaluation, as #2.1 states: “This document does not apply to CAS only established by a CAB and used by that CAB only. Nevertheless, the content of Annex 2 may be used as guidance for the validation of the CAS by the CAB.”
Note: ISO 9606 is a series of standards (currently in revision), that requires additional elements to become a certification scheme.