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About The TRC Certification Process

The Registrar CompanyOur highly-skilled and accomplished auditors are at the top of their field with years of auditing experience and industry knowledge. TRC auditors aim to reduce disruptions while performing audits and strive to fully understand your business to reveal opportunities for reducing costs, decreasing time to market, and increasing overall efficiencies.

Clients, who through the application and audit process satisfy the terms of the TRC Management System Certification Program and the requirements of the applicable standard, will be granted a Certificate. Certificates are subject to the terms of this program, the applicable standard, and any additional requirements imposed by sector-specific organizations

What you can Expect from TRC

Upon acceptance of the application and Program agreement, TRC will:

  1. Coordinate Stage 1 audit activity based on client timelines and expectations for certification;
  2. Finalize selection of audit personnel. Client has the right to request information regarding proposed team members and may object to the use of any individual. TRC will take into consideration any request made for specific audit personnel provided such individuals meet TRC requirements for auditing;
  3. Require submission of any necessary documented information for offsite review prior to Stage 1;
  4. Conduct the Stage 1 Certification Audit. During the Stage 1 audit, the audit team will assess the organization’s overall preparedness for initial certification. The team will assess the implementation of the documented system against the requirements of the applicable standard and any requirements the client has established within the management system. At the conclusion of the audit, the audit team will provide a report identifying the fulfillment of the stage 1 objectives and any area(s) of concern that could be classified as a nonconformance during the Stage 2 audit. The report will also outline the readiness for the Stage 2 Audit.
  5. Confirm Stage 2 audit activities based on client timelines, Stage 1 audit results, and expectations for certification.
  6. Conduct Stage 2 certification audit. During the Stage 2 audit, the audit team will conduct an in-depth evaluation through interview and review of documented information to assess the overall effectiveness of the management system to meet the requirements of the applicable standard;
  7. Perform a closing meeting, at the conclusion of the Stage 2 certification audit, providing the client with a verbal report of any nonconformities and/or opportunities for improvement identified during the audit. The client will have the opportunity to ask questions and/or address any nonconformance prior to the exit of the audit team. The audit team will provide the client with their conclusion, recommendation for certification, and any requirements for follow-up;
  8. For aerospace sector audits, provide the client with copies of any applicable Nonconformance Reports (NCRs) and Process Effectiveness Assessment Reports (PEARs) associated with those NCRs;
  9. Upon completion of Stage 2 activities, provide a final written report along with requirements for any actions from the Client, within two weeks of the closing date of the audit;
  10. As required, coordinate scheduling of visits for closure of nonconformities or re-audit.

What TRC can Expect from you, the Client

Upon acceptance of the application and Program agreement, the Client will:

  1. Identify primary point of contact for TRC for audit coordination, awareness of complaints, and corrective action responses, as well as acting as a liaison for audit personnel;
  2. Provide access by audit personnel to all facilities, work areas, records, etc. that support the proposed certification;
  3. Make available required documented information to support the management system;
  4. Make available copies of internal audit, management review, and complaints and their resolutions;
  5. ISO 14001 audits may require copies of licenses/permits, records of compliance with regulatory and/or legal requirements, records/evidence of determination of environmental aspects and impacts, environmental objectives and links with associated targets, data, responsibilities, etc.
  6. ISO 45001 audits may require copies of licenses/permits, records of compliance with regulatory and/or legal requirements, etc.
  7. Provide timely response as is required to all nonconformities in the form of correction/corrective action;
    1. Nonconformities identified following initial certification activities are documented on a nonconformity report (NCR) and must be responded to by the due date identified on the NCR.
    2. Client is required to provide the correction, root cause and take appropriate and effective action so as to eliminate the cause of the identified nonconformity.
    3. For clients whose certification is for AS9100 or related sector schemes, when the nature of the nonconformity needs immediate containment action, the audit team leader shall require the organization to: describe the immediate actions taken to contain the nonconforming situation/conditions and to control any identified nonconforming products. Containment shall always be recorded and reported within 7 calendar days after the audit.
    4. Evidence of actions taken is required in support of closure of NCR’s. Onsite verification of effective implementation may be required in order to demonstrate closure.
    5. Certificates will not be issued to any client while an NCR remains open.
    6. For clients whose certification is for AS9100 or related sector schemes, verification of effective implementation of all corrective action is required prior to issuance of certificates.
  8. Client may make an appeal to TRC for any nonconformity issued for which it does not agree in accordance with Section XXIII.

Upon successful completion of the initial certification activities and affirmative recommendation by audit and technical personnel for the certificate, TRC will submit a request for issuance of the certificate to the Certification Decision Maker. The Certification Decision Maker issues final approval or denial for issuance of the certificate. Client has the right to appeal any decision made by the Certification Decision Maker in accordance with Section XXIII.

Upon receipt of approval to issue the certificate, TRC will prepare and make delivery of the Certificate and the applicable marks for the associated certification scheme. The requirement for handling and use of these items is provided in Section XVII.

Costs & Duration

Duration of your audit is dictated by your company size and the risk level of your management system. If you are interested in learning more about the audit process, and costs associated, we can provide you with a free quote today. Contact us to get started.

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