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- customerservice@gmsaudit.com
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The client requests a quote by the web, by phone at 440-460-1760 or after receiving a call from a GMS representative.
Within three (3) business days a Service Agreement is sent, this includes a Fee Summary and contractual obligations for GMS and Client. The Certification cycle is three years barring any issues that may arise see included QSP-9.6, WI-9.7.
Once the client has signed both the Quote and the Application/Contract, GMS will begin the Audit Process.
Upon receiving the signed agreement, GMS requests a copy of the client’s Quality Manual & procedures to compare documents to the applicable standard and determine that all requirements have been addressed. GMS also sends an audit team to evaluate the client’s location and to determine preparedness for Stage 2.
A GMS auditor or team of auditors will visit the client’s site(s) and evaluate for implementation and effectiveness of the Quality Management System.
Throughout the auditing process a GMS auditor may observe areas of the QMS that do not comply with the standard or with information set forth in the client’s Quality Manual. GMS will present these areas to the client to be corrected.
At various times in the Certification process the Lead Auditor or the Certification Committee may request that an additional audit be scheduled, this is usually due to NC or changes in the client’s system.
After the Stage 2 Certification Audit has been completed and all nonconformities have been reviewed and approved the lead auditor sends the completed audit package the Certification Director (CD). The CD or designee reviews package to make sure all documents are included and sends to the Certification Committee for evaluation. Once package is approved, a pdf copy of the Certificate is sent for review to the client. Upon client approval and receipt of payment the printed certificate is mailed. Certificate will remain valid for three years barring any issues.
Certified organizations are entitled to publish and display the Certificate of Registration and GMS/accreditation body logo(s) on any promotional materials, correspondence and advertising as long as the organization maintains strict adherence to the fields of application, scope, and location specified on the in the Certificate and in the Service Agreement.
On a 6-month or yearly basis, a GMS auditor will perform a surveillance audit at the client’s site(s) to check if the quality management system is still in compliance.
After three years the client must renew its certificate.
With the successful completion of the GMS registration process, registered organizations are entitled to publish and display the Certificate of Registration and GMS/accreditation body logo(s) on any promotional materials, correspondence and advertising as long as the organization maintains strict adherence to the fields of application, scope, and location specified on the in the Certificate and in the Service Agreement.
With the successful completion of the GMS registration process, registered organizations are entitled to publish and display the Certificate of Registration and GMS/accreditation body logo(s) on any promotional materials, correspondence and advertising as long as the organization maintains strict adherence to the fields of application, scope, and location specified on the in the Certificate and in the Service Agreement.
Probations, suspensions and/or recommendations for withdrawal for organization’s failing to meet certification requirements as well as cancellations for organizations that choose not to renew registrations are described the documents included in the links below.
GMS will, in response to an application for expanding the scope of a certification already granted, undertake a review of the application and determine any audit activities necessary to decide whether or not the extension may be granted. This may be conducted in conjunction with a surveillance audit.
GMS does not consider reduction of the scope. Any clients not meeting the requirements, or if a client has persistently or seriously failed to meet the certification requirements for any parts of the scope, the certification will not be granted or maintained.
GMS is responsible for all decisions at all levels of the complaints handling process.
Submission, investigation and decision on complaints will not result in any discriminatory actions against the complainant.
Upon receipt of a complaint, GMS will confirm whether the complaint relates to certification activities that it is responsible for and, if so, will deal with it. If the complaint relates to a certified client, then examination of the complaint will consider the effectiveness of the certified management system.
