IACS Quality System Certification Scheme
The current scheme is being amended such that audits and assessment of compliance with the QSCS will be carried out by independent external Accredited Certification Body(ies) ("ACB"), rather than IACS's own auditors, and without any involvement of IACS' Council. It is also being modified so that requirements therein (the Quality Management System Requirements and IACS Unified Requirements, Common Structural Rules, Unified Interpretations and Procedural Requirements) can be applied equally by IACS Members and non-IACS CSs (including non-Applicants for IACS Membership).
The details of the new scheme are given in QSCS - Description of the Scheme - 11th Edition.
Requirements relating to the appointment of ACBs are set out in Requirements for Accredited Certification Bodies for QSCS Quality Management System Certification.
Guidance for Application of Vertical Contract Audits can be found on the Guidelines & Recommendations page under Recommendation 107 (REC 107).
During 2010 audit and assessment of IACS Members and IACS Applicants against IQMSR 7th issue, will be undertaken by ACBs, as well as IACS' own auditors. From 2011 the QSCS audit and assessment will be undertaken exclusively by ACBs.
The Transition Period from the current process, by which an Annual Compliance Report is issued by the IACS Quality Secretary, to ISO 9001:2008 certificates and Statements of Compliance to QSCS being issued by the ACBs, is expected to be complete by 1 January 2011 and will be dealt with in accordance with the QSCS Transition Year Audit Policy.
The policy regarding complaints is given in the IACS Procedure for Handling a Complaint.
Click here for the 22nd September 2009 ACB Seminar Powerpoint Presentation on IACS QSCS Independent Assessment & Certification.
Members Annual Compliance Reports (ACR)