CERTIFICATION

Driving improvement is a constant challenge for organizations. SMG can supply you with the technical and business expertise to simplify that challenge, whatever business you are in.
Providing independent, 2nd and 3rd party certified assessment services.

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A Management System program offers a step-by-step approach aimed at providing you with confidence in your system’s capability to meet the needs of the organization and your customers. This process addresses the philosophies of good management practice covered by the Standard.

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In addition, our unique Business Assurance approach can really give your business the edge by turning the assessment process into a powerful management tool to improve and protect performance. By understanding what really matters to your organization and stakeholders, we can help you improve your management system – and in turn your business – at the same time.

 

STEPS TO CERTIFICATION

 

1. Application & Project Planning:
An early application is advised to enable us to plan and adjust our service ‎delivery process to best suit the needs and expectations of your ‎organization. Upon receiving your filled application, you will be contacted ‎by our Client Services team to discuss timeframes for audits and assist ‎and liaise, where possible, with any retail supplier requirements. ‎

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2.‎ Stage 1 Audit:‎

This involves an on-site assessment of selected policies, procedures and ‎safety practices already in place. This visit will familiarize the auditor with ‎your facilities and identify where your management system meets the ‎requirements against the specified scope Opportunities for improvement ‎will be highlighted, and recommendations made regarding the next stage ‎of the process. The Stage 1 Audit will provide your management and staff ‎with the opportunity to discuss any problems or improvements, and ‎address other queries regarding the Stage 2 Certification Audit process.
These activities will essentially test the system’s state of readiness for ‎Certification and provide input to the planning of Stage 2 Audit.‎

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3.‎ Stage 2 Certification Audit & Registration:‎

The Certification Audit is a detailed full system assessment, which ‎verifies conformance of the Principles of the required standard.
When the management system documentation and practices effectively ‎satisfy the requirements, then implementation is deemed to be effective ‎and certification will be recommended.‎
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Where areas do not comply against the requirements an NCR (non-‎conformance report), the Certification Authority, SMG Certification ‎Services, is the body that makes the final certification decisions and ‎issues certificates of conformity. ‎

Approval of the recommendation for certification will result in the issue of ‎a Certificate of Registration, valid for a three-year term (subject to ongoing ‎compliance demonstrated at the prescribed number of surveillance audits ‎during the license period). ‎

Your organization’s certification details will then be added to SMG ‎Register of Certified Companies. An annual License Fee applies, ‎covering the costs of licensing, accreditations and use of the SMG Mark.‎

 

4.‎ Certification Maintenance

Once certification is achieved, the organization will be required to ‎undergo periodic Surveillance Audits to ensure the system is being ‎maintained. The intention is to provide feedback on system performance.‎
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Surveillance Audit frequency will be based on audit performance as well ‎as accreditation and any retailer supplier requirements.‎

 

5.‎ Re-Certification Audit:‎
The Re-Certification Audit is a 67% system assessment, which verifies ‎conformance of the management system to the requirements of the ‎Standard.
Any issues identified in the S2 or M3 activities will also be reviewed to ‎ensure they have been appropriately addressed.‎
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When the management system documentation and practices effectively ‎satisfy the Standard’s requirements, then implementation is deemed to be ‎effective and re-certification will be recommended for continued ‎registration.
Approval of the recommendation for certification will result in the issue of ‎a Certificate of Re-Registration, valid for a three-year term (subject to ‎ongoing compliance demonstrated at the prescribed number of ‎surveillance audits during the license period). ‎

Your organization’s certification details will then be added to SMG ‎Register of Certified Companies. An annual License Fee applies, ‎covering the costs of licensing, accreditations and use of the SMG Mark. ‎
NCRs:‎
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A NCR (non-conformance report) is where a requirement of the criteria or ‎standard to be met cannot be verified. In the event of an NCR being ‎issued during your audit a corrective action process will commence. The ‎auditor will explain how SMG will follow up and clear the NCR.‎
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The auditor will be required to close out the NCR either on or off site. This ‎is a chargeable activity known as a Follow-up Audit. The severity of the ‎NCR will determine if the follow up activity is conducted on or off site. The ‎auditor will advised at the time of raising the NCR how much time will be ‎required to close out the NCR.‎