Certification Agreement

Clients may apply the QA Certification (hereinafter referred to as QA), logo and registration documents only in respect of their areas assessed and registered, and to bring to the attention of customers, when reasonable and appropriate, any areas of business for which it has not been assessed. Unless stated to the contrary QA registration documents signify that in the opinion of QA and its servants the Client who is the subject of the registration document has demonstrated an acknowledgement of the benefits and desirability of being registered with regard to the scope of activities and standards specified on the registration document. In issuing the document QA are confirming registration of the Client in the QA register of assessed organisations. Clients are advised that full compliance with any standard referenced in the scope of registration documents is not certificated as certain factors such as the sample nature of assessments and the compliance by the client with their own procedures at times when QA are not present and other matters is beyond the control of QA. QA registration documents are certificates of accredited registration of the opinion of the issuing authority out with conformity assessment services as defined within the scope of EU Regulation 765/08 or its derivatives. Clients are advised that the opinion of any other organisation or individual with regard to compliance with any standard that may be quoted in the scope of registration documents may be different to that of QA and its servants but nonetheless compliance is not the subject of the registration document. Use of accreditation and registration logos in respect of QA is authorised only if such logos are contained within the registration document issued by QA. Logos are prohibited from being applied to products, including where relevant to certificates that may be issued by the client.

The service provided by QA to the Client is for the registration and publication of selected Client’s details in a register of assessed organisations for a year or any part thereof or other period defined in writing and for the issue of a registration document stating that this is achieved. Registration and assessment shall be in a manner chosen by QA and may change at any time at the discretion of QA. Other services may be provided as defined in writing between the Client and QA.

QA require their registered Clients to advise of significant changes in the scope of their activities, size of business or material change in the structure or operation of their assessed management system or subject of assessment. QA may make an additional charge if it becomes necessary to change the scope of assessment. This may be for additional surveillance / assessment visits, reissue of registration document or both.

QA require their registered Clients to advise changes to the Client legal status with regard to private ownership whether by proprietorship, partnership or co-operative, limited or public limited status. Where a Client acquires a change of ownership, then, subject to the continued operation of the quality management system the registration may continue for the remainder of the registration period on payment in full of the registration fees for the period of registration. Such changes may require the conduct of additional surveillance and assessment activity for which appropriate fees will be incurred by the registered Client.

Any notice under these Terms and Conditions or requirement of the quality management system of QA or the contracts between QA and its registered Clients shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the party giving it and may be served by leaving it or sending it by prepaid recorded delivery or registered post. Any notice served by post shall be deemed to have been served seventy two hours from the time of posting. In proving such service, it shall be sufficient to prove that the notice was properly addressed and posting recorded within the QA records system.

QA will withdraw the registration document and the use of its logo from any Client who fails to maintain their documentation system. Documentation systems that are neglected by Clients and that do not comply will not be renewed. This withdrawal also applies to annual surveillance audits conducted that do not contain or show evidence of use or efforts towards continual improvement.

The Client upon notification of the termination of registration shall immediately discontinue use of the QA and accreditation and registration logos and all advertising matter which contains them or any reference thereto. In addition, any other documents in the possession of the Client which make reference to QA shall, if the Directors of QA so desire it be so treated as to erase it.

Termination of service by clients shall incur fees in respect of other work done by QA which unless specified elsewhere in contractual documents shall be based upon a fee rate of two pounds and fifty pence sterling per minute and two hundred and ten minutes per day which may be accrued in any manner and time frame. Termination of The Service incurs no penalty.

Postponement of services by clients shall incur fees in respect of work done by QA which unless specified elsewhere in contractual documents shall be based on a fee rate of two pounds and fifty pence sterling per minute and two hundred and ten minutes per day which may be accrued in any manner and time frame. As a minimum, postponement of visits by the client within 48 hours of a date advised in writing shall at the discretion of QA incur a fee of £225-00 plus vat.

Clients are advised to take expert advice when engaging audit and assessment services. The authority vested in QA is that assigned to them by the Client in respect of The Service or other services contracted and no claim as to statutory, legislative, authority, prominence or right given by any other party unless specified by QA is claimed.

QA require their registered Clients to demonstrate continued awareness of their assessed management system by regular returns of such evidence as deemed necessary by QA from time to time. Failure to show satisfactory awareness may lead to surveillance / assessment visits which will be charged at the current published rate. A registered Client is the term given to, or the definition of, an organisation or individual that is assessed and registered by QA but at other times may be referred to as a ‘supplier’.

QA require their registered Clients to provide facilities and access at short notice for the purpose of random process audits by QA of their own assessment and surveillance activities and also for the investigation and evaluation of third party comments and complaints arising from or associated with the conduct of the registered client’s activities. Inability to provide access within two working days of the request for a Short Notice Visit renders the organisation liable for de-registration.

These conditions and the assessment and certification activities of QA are subject to the laws of the United Kingdom of England and Wales. QA shall not be liable retrospectively for consequences, costs or damages arising from changes or introduction of such laws or Government Instruments which may subsequently invalidate or devalue QA services.

QA require their clients to pay fees in advance or by an approved alternative method. The cost of pursuing late payment shall be borne by clients and shall be based upon, unless rates are defined elsewhere, a fee rate of two pounds and fifty pence sterling per minute and two hundred and ten minutes per day plus the fees of other related agencies such as courts and specialist services which may be accrued in any manner and time frame.

Clients are advised that QA shall disclose any interest upon request that may impact upon the independence of assessment, auditing and registration activities. Where such interest or influence is deemed relevant then QA shall, at its own discretion, withdraw from offering its services to the Client.

Where the Client knows of any relationship or interest with QA or its sub-contracted servants or employees then it shall notify QA of the details where then QA shall, at its own discretion, QA shall withdraw from offering its services to the Client.

QA Certification
20-22 Wenlock Road,
London,
N1 7GU
United Kingdom