Dear Sir or Madam,
after 5 years Integrity Program, the adaptation of the Annex 4 of the framework agreement, several control audits in certified companies, office audits in certification bodies and additional several IFS internal investigations of the IFS database the assessments of the IFS Quality Assurance Management in connection with a confirmation of the chairman (lawyer) of the sanction committees now resulted in the topic that according to the current valid Annex 4 of the Framework Agreement (valid since 01.10.2013) certificati on body CERTIQUALITY S.r.l. has to be suspended for 3 months. This suspension time frame will start on 15th of January 2016.
This means that, from the time of suspension according to the Annex 4 of the framework agreement:
- The certification body is not permitted to issue certificates whilst suspended; no certification decision shall be made.
- The certification body is not permitted to schedule or perform audits whilst suspended.
- Sites with audits currently planned during the suspension period have to be contacted by the certification body. Sites should make arrangements with an alternative approved and accredited certification body for the scheme.
- A review has to be done of the processes operated by the certification body to ensure the validity of currently issued certificates. The content and extent of the review shall be based on the reason for the suspension.
IFS Office is aware, that this is a strict decision for the involved certification body CERTIQUALITY S.r.l. Nevertheless this decision is in accordance with the current valid Annex 4 of the Framework Agreement which was signed by all certification bodies.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen | Kind regards | Saludos cordiales
Your IFS-Team
