Following is a brief description of the typical registration process a GWR client can expect.  Detailed procedures are available upon request.  All GWR processes and procedures are established and maintained in accordance with ISO/IEC17021:2006, AS9104, AS9014, as well as applicable IAF mandatory documents.

a) A member of sales or marketing identifies a potential client.
 

b) The potential client completes an on-line application, or at their request a hard copy is provided.  The application is to be filled out by the management representative of the client.  

c) The Registration Manager receives the application and checks for completeness. 

d) A “schedule of services” estimate is prepared and sent to the Management Representative along with a standard contract.

e) If the client wishes to retain the services of GWR, a member of the client management signs the contract and sends the original copy back to GWR along with payments outlined in the “schedule of services”.

f) After receiving the contract, the Registration Manager or their designee assigns a Lead Assessor.

g) The client will be notified by GWR of the intended date for the Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits and the assigned assessors for their initial certification/registration.  The client will have the opportunity to accept the assessors or request a new team during this notification phase.

h) The assigned assessors will perform a Stage 1 audit at the client facility/site.   The following (at a minimum) will be evaluation during the Stage 1 audit:

·        Management System Documentation

·        The specific conditions at the client facility/site to determine preparedness.

·        Review of the client status and understanding of applicable requirements to the standard.

·        The scope of the client QMS, processes and statutory and regulatory requirements

·        The allocation of resources for the Stage 2 audit.

·        Provide focus for planning the Stage 2 audit

·        Management Review and Internal audit processes planning and implementation

i)                    Stage 1 audit findings will be documented and communicated to the client, including identification of areas of concern that could be classified as a non-conformance during the Stage 2 audit.  When determining the interval between Stage 1 and Stage 2, consideration will be given to the needs of the client to resolve areas of concern identified during the stage 1 audit.  GWR may revise arrangements and intended dates for the stage 2 dependant upon the level of readiness of the client.  If the auditor assigned during the Stage 1 audit identifies numerous areas of concern, the auditor may recommend performing an additional Stage 1 audit at the organizations expense.

ii)                  The purpose of the Stage 2 audit is to evaluate the effective implementation of the clients QMS.  This audit will take place at the client facility/site and will include at least the following

·        Evidence and information regarding conformity to applicable standards

·        Performance monitoring against key performance objectives

·        Operational control of the organizational processes

·        Implementation and effectiveness of the Management Review process

·        Implementation and effectiveness of the Internal Audit process

·        Management Responsibility

·        Links between the organizational requirements, policies, objectives and targets.

j)  A corrective action re-visit assessment may be necessary depending on the results of the Stage 2 initial assessment and the nature of the non-conformities encountered.

k) The assessment team will prepare the audit report which includes

·        Comments on any non-conformities and where applicable, the correction and corrective actions taken by the client

·        A recommendation whether or not to grant certification, together with any conditions or observations.

l) The Registration Review Board will make the final certification/registration decision based on an evaluation of the audit findings and conclusions and any other relevant information.  If the review board agrees with the recommendation for registration, the client organization is issued a certificate that remains valid for 3 years

m) To show continued conformance, Surveillance assessments are performed on an annual or semi-annual basis, whichever the client chooses.  The date of the first surveillance audit, following initial certification, shall be programmed from the end of Stage 2 of the initial audit.

n) At the end of the 3 years of registration, a re-certification audit is performed on-site prior to the expiration of current registration.

Great Western Registrar, LLC
21835 North 23rd. Avenue - Phoenix,  AZ   85027
Tel. 623.580.1881   Fax 623.505.9685
www.greatwesternregistrar.com
e-mail:admin@greatwesternregistrar.com