1.0 Types and Schemes of Certification

Purpose of Management System Certification : Certification of management systems provides assurance that an organization has implemented a system for managing relevant aspects of its activities, products, and services in line with its policy and international management system standards. This certification demonstrates that the organization’s management system:

• Conforms to specified requirements.
• It is capable of consistently achieving its stated policy and objectives.
• It is effectively implemented​​.

1. Quality Management System (ISO 9001) : Focuses on meeting customer requirements and improving customer satisfaction.
2. Environmental Management System (ISO 14001) : Aimed at managing environmental aspects, ensuring compliance with environmental laws, and continually improving environmental performance.
3. Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001) : Ensures a safe and healthy working environment by preventing work-related injury and ill health.
4. Food Safety Management System (ISO 22000) : Addresses food safety through the control of food safety hazards.
5. Medical Devices Quality Management System (ISO 13485) : Pertains to quality management systems specific to the medical devices industry.
6. Energy Management System (ISO 50001) : Involves the development and implementation of an energy policy, setting targets for energy use, and designing action plans to reach these targets.
7. Information Security Management System (ISO/IEC 27001) : Focuses on keeping sensitive information secure, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

1.1 Criteria for Granting Certification:

AMY may grant and issue the certificate to the client under the following criterion:

(a) The client has a documented Management system that is laid in accordance with its scope of certification and that it conforms to the requirements of the applicable Management System Standard as mentioned above.

(b) The Client has completed at least one cycle of internal audit and management review of the management system established.

(c) Both internal audit and management review have been found effective as assessed by AMY auditors.

(d) The client has paid all the dues including the certification fee.

(e) The client shall keep a record of all complaints and actions taken and the same shall be submitted to AMY auditors for verification when requested.

(f) The client has undergone the stage 1 and stage 2 audit satisfactory, and the recommendation of the audit team is favorable.

2.0 Certification Process

2.1 Certification Agreement

On acceptance of the Quotation, this certification agreement is signed between AMY and the client for providing certification of the client’s management system by AMY to the applicable international standard.

2.2 Stage 1 Audit & Documentation Review

AMY shall conduct a stage 1 audit at client site to verify the adequacy of documentation with respect to the requirements of the applicable standard and also to understand and gather further information on the client activities and processes including applicable statues, to plan for the stage 2 audit .The client shall satisfactorily resolve all the observations raised in document review along with other concerns / issues highlighted during the audit and the same confirmed to AMY before planning the  stage –2 audit . AMY shall submit a formal report to the client.

Note: for multi-site organizations Procedure P-4-1-2 – Certification process procedure to be followed.

2.3 Stage 2 Audit

AMY’s audit team shall visit the client’s premises, as per an agreed plan, to verify the effectiveness of the client’s management system in meeting the requirements of the applicable ISO standard. AMY shall submit a formal report to the client.

2.4 Non-Conformity Report

If a non-conformance is detected during the audit, a Nonconformity Report shall be issued to the client. For the non-conformities raised during the audit client shall submit the correction and the corrective action plan (based on root cause) to AMY office within 10 working days from the last day of the audit. AMY shall verify the submitted correction and the corrective action and confirm the acceptance of the same to the client. Clients shall take the correction and corrective action within the stipulated date and submit the documentary evidence to AMY to verify the effectiveness of action taken and accordingly to close the non-conformances.

In the event of certification audit (fresh client) AMY shall cancel the audit under the following conditions:

(a) Client does not submit Corrective Action Plan for the Non-Conformity raised within 10 working days as stipulated above.

(b) In case of major non-conformity, the verification of effective corrective action is not completed within 90 days.

(c) In case of minor non-conformity, the verification of effective corrective action is not completed within 30 days.

In the event of certified clients AMY shall suspend the certificate under the following conditions:

(a) Client does not submit a Corrective Action Plan for the non-conformity raised within 10 working days as stipulated above.

(b) In case of major non-conformity, the verification of effective of corrective action is not completed within 90 days as stipulated above.

(c) In case of minor non-conformity, the verification of effective corrective action is not completed within 30 days.

2.5 Recommendation for Certification

AMY shall recommend certification of the client’s management system, based on the following:

(a) AMY has reviewed the audit reports and has accepted the recommendations of the audit team.

(b) The client has submitted the correction and corrective action for the non-conformities raised within the stipulated time and AMY has accepted the same.

(c) In case of a major non-conformance, the effectiveness of correction and corrective action is verified by AMY's auditors as agreed and the non-conformity either closed or downgraded to minor.

If the client is not recommended for certification AMY shall accordingly inform the client.

2.6 Issue of certificate

AMY shall issue the certificate against the applicable standard to the client only after the closure of all the non-conformances as stated in section 2.5 of this agreement.

The Certificate is the property of AMY and shall be produced to AMY as and when requested.

The certification will be valid for a period of three years from the date of approval of certification, subject to the satisfactory maintenance of the Management System as confirmed through agreed surveillance audits.

2.7 Surveillance Audit

Surveillance audits shall be conducted regularly at the client site at least once a year to confirm that the Client’s Management System continues to conform to the requirements of the standard to which it is certified.

The date of the first surveillance audit following initial certification shall not be more than 12 Months from the certification decision date and failure to comply with this requirement will lead to suspension and subsequently withdrawal of certification.

For the non-conformity raised during the surveillance audit the conditions stipulated in section 2.5 of this agreement shall be applicable.

If a surveillance audit cannot be carried out because the client’s operations are affected owing to factors outside its control, e.g.: employee union strike, natural calamity, etc. the case shall be presented to AMY for a decision.

AMY shall submit a formal report to the client.

2.8 Re-certification Audit

The purpose of the recertification audit is to confirm the continued conformity and effectiveness of the client’s management system as a whole and its continued relevance and applicability for the scope of certification.

The recertification audit shall include a site audit and shall consider the performance of the management system over the period of certification and shall also include a review of previous surveillance audit reports. The recertification audit may have a stage –1 audit in situations where there have been significant changes to the management system, the client or changes to legislation.

AMY shall conduct the recertification audit at least 60 days in advance to the expiration of certification so that the client has time to implement corrective actions before the expiry of the certification

For non-conformities raised during the audit, the conditions specified in section 2.5 of this agreement become applicable.  AMY shall submit a formal report to the client.

2.9 Special Audit

AMY shall conduct special audits under the following conditions,

(a) Extension to the scope of certification already granted, on the request of client. This could be clubbed with routine surveillance audit.

(b) To investigate complaints received by AMY about the client.

(c) Follow up audit in case of suspension or major non-conformity raised in any audit.

(d) Changes to AMY’s certification requirements.

For non-conformities raised during the audit the conditions identified in section 2.5 of this agreement shall become applicable.

AMY shall submit a formal report to the client.

2.10 Notice of Changes by AMY

AMY shall inform the client in advance of any changes to its requirements for certification and shall subsequently verify that each client comply with this requirement. It shall necessitate a special audit in certain cases.

2.11 Notice of Changes by the client

The client shall inform AMY, without delay, of matters that may affect the capability of management system to continue to fulfill the requirements of the standard used for certification. These may include changes related to:

(a) The legal, commercial, organizational status or ownership.

(b) Organization and management (e.g. change in key managerial, decision making or technical staff).

(c) Contact address and sites.

(d) Scope of operation under the certified management system.

(e) Major changes to the management system and processes.

AMY shall review the changes and accordingly discuss with client for an early verification to ensure that the capability of the management system continues to fulfill the requirements of the applicable standard.

2.12 Maintaining Certifications

The Certification is maintained for a period of 3 years under the following conditions.

(a) The Surveillance Audits are conducted as planned and the client has demonstrated that they continue to satisfy the requirements of the management system standard as confirmed by AMY.

(b) All the non-conformances raised during previous surveillance are closed within the time frame agreed and correction and corrective actions for the non-conformities raised during the current audit are identified and accepted by AMY as per conditions specified in the section 2.5.

(c) The Internal Audit and the management reviews are conducted as scheduled and there are no issues pending.

(d) The client shall maintain suitable records of customer complaints and keep the records of investigation and remedial actions taken with respect to such complaints for verification by the AMY auditors.

(e) All outstanding dues to AMY are paid.

2.13 Suspending, Withdrawing or reducing the scope of certification

(a) Suspension

• AMY shall suspend certification in cases wherein:
• The client’s certified management system has persistently or seriously failed to meet certification requirements, including requirements for the effectiveness of the management system.
• The client does not allow surveillance and recertification audits to be conducted at the required frequencies.
• Wishful misuse of logo & reference to certification.
• Noncompliance with submission of Corrective action as stated in section 2.5 of the agreement.

The suspension shall be for a period of a maximum of six months, and the suspended status of the client shall be publicly made available in the register of certified clients being maintained by AMY at its registered office. During this period the client shall discontinue the use of the logo or any reference for certification in advertising matters, as directed by AMY, at the time of giving notice of suspension.

(b) Withdrawal

AMY shall withdraw the certificate under the following circumstances:

• Failure of the client to resolve the issue of suspension within six months shall result in the withdrawal of certification.
• Other reasons like major legal complaints, companies involved in malpractice, AMY loses accreditation etc.
• Client voluntarily requested for a withdrawal.

Upon withdrawal of the certificate the client ceases to enjoy the certification status and shall accordingly return the certificate as directed by AMY at the time of withdrawal notice.

(c) Reduction in scope of certification

AMY shall decide to reduce the client’s scope of certification by excluding the parts not meeting the requirements, when the client has persistently and seriously failed to meet the certification requirements for those parts of the scope of certification. Such exclusions shall be consistent with the certification standard.

Upon request from any party, AMY shall provide information related to the validity of a given certificate.

2.14 Certification and Use of Logo

The certificates issued by AMY remain the property of AMY and must be returned when requested. The client is authorized to use the certificate mark or its logo in advertising matter as per the instruction given by AMY at the time of issuing the certificate.

The client, while using its certification, shall ensure that it:

(a) Conforms to requirements of AMY when referring to its certification status in communication media such as Internet, brochures or advertising or other documents.

(b) Does not make or permit any misleading statement regarding its certification.

(c) Does not use or permit the use of the certification document or any part thereof in a misleading manner.

(d) Upon suspension or withdrawal of its certification, discontinues its use of all advertising matters that contains a reference to certification, as directed by AMY.

(e) Amends all advertising matter when the scope of certification has been reduced.

(f) Shall not use the certification information in a manner to imply that the product or service is certified. The certification mark or logo shall not be used on a product or product packaging as this could be interpreted as denoting product conformity.

(g) Does not imply that certification applies to activities that are outside the scope of its certification.

(h) Shall not use the certification in such a manner that would bring AMY and /or the certification system into disrepute and lose public trust.

(i) Logos shall also not to be applied on visiting cards.

(j) Use of CB logo will be following Logo regulations as mentioned AMY website: www.amyinternational.org  

2.15 Accessible Information

AMY shall make the following information publicly accessible through its web site in

• Management Systems Certification Rules and Regulations.
• Policy on personnel.
• Quality policy.
• Impartiality policy.
• Confidentiality Policy.

All other information shall be treated as confidential.

2.16 Obligations of the applicant / certified organization

The applicant / certified organization shall commit to fulfill continually the requirements of certification set by AMY for the scope for which certification has been granted including adapting changes in requirements for certification as and when communicated.

(a) When requested the applicant / certified organization shall cooperate with AMY in the fulfillment of the requirements for certification. This shall apply to all locations included in the certification.

(b) In the case where there are multiple offices of a certification body (AMY) or multiple sites of a client, then on that case this agreement should be considered as a legally enforceable agreement between the certification body (AMY) granting certification and the client that covers all the sites within the scope of the certification.

(c) The applicant / certified organization shall provide access to information, documents and records as necessary for granting certification and maintaining certification.

(d) Certified organizations shall allow the personnel from the accreditation body access to their sites and shall provide access to information, documents and records when requested by AMY.

(e) The certified client shall claim certification only with respect to the scope for which certification has been granted.

(f) The certified organization shall not use its certification in such a manner as to bring AMY into disrepute.

(g) The applicant / certified organization shall pay fees as determined by AMY.

(h) The certified client informs the AMY, without delay, of the occurrence of a serious incident or breach of regulation necessitating the involvement of the competent regulatory authority.

(i) The applicant / certified organization shall inform without delay of any significant changes relevant to the certification in respect of its status or its operation related:

• It’s legal, commercial or ownership status.
• The organization, top management & key personnel.
• Resources and premises.
• Scope of certification.
• Other such matters that might affect the ability of the certified organization to fulfill requirements of certification.

2.17 Obligations of AMY

(a) AMY shall make publicly available information about the status of certification that it has granted the certified organization. The information should be updated regularly. The information shall include the following:

• Geographical areas in which it operates.
• The status of a given certification.
• The name, related normative document, scope and geographical location (city and country) for a Specific certified client.

AMY shall give due notice of any changes to its requirements for certification. It shall consider the views expressed by interested parties before deciding on the precise form and the effective date of the changes. Following a decision on, and publication of, the changed requirements it shall verify that each certified client carries out necessary adjustments.

3.0. General Terms and Conditions

(a) Termination-The client and AMY shall have the right to terminate this agreement at any time giving 30 days of written notice of such termination. The client shall, in case of termination, reimburse to AMY all the dues up to date of termination. AMY, if it so wishes, shall also charge a termination fee to be negotiated at the time of termination and this is in addition to the dues that are payable to AMY. In no case shall such a termination fee not exceed 15% of the value of the agreement. All reimbursable are payable at the end of said 30-day period.

(b) Confidentiality- AMY shall not disclose any information about the client or individual to a third party without the written consent of the client or the individual concerned. If AMY is required by law to release confidential information to a third party, the client or the individual concerned shall, unless regulated by law, be notified in advance of the information provided.

(c) Force majeure-Delay in or failure of performance of either party hereto shall not constitute a default hereunder or give rise to any claim for damage if and to the extent such delay or failure is caused by an act of war, natural disaster, fire, explosion, labor dispute or any other event beyond the control of the party affected and which, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, said party is unable to prevent. The party affected shall notify the other party in writing of the causes and expected duration immediately after the occurrence of any such event.

(d) Law & disputes-The agreement for certification between AMY and Client shall be governed by prevailing law in Egypt. Any dispute arising in connection with the agreement, which cannot be settled by private negotiations between the parties, shall be referred to arbitration as per the Egyptian Arbitration Act, subject to Egypt jurisdiction. The decision of the arbitration shall be binding for both parties

(e) Appeals: Client shall appeal to AMY in respect of the following:

• Non acceptance of client’s application for certification.
• Granting, suspending, withdrawing or denying certification.

AMY shall deal with the appeals according to its procedure and shall be responsible for all decisions at all levels of the appeal handling process. AMY shall acknowledge the receipt of the appeal and shall provide the client with progress reports and the outcome.

(f) Complaints: AMY shall investigate the complaint received about the client to decide what action needs to be taken and the same shall be communicated to the client at an appropriate time. The identity of the complainant shall not be disclosed.

(g) Fees: The fees shall be detailed in the quotation submitted by AMY.  Fees are charged based on applicable rates at the time of submission of the quotation. AMY may revise the fee submitted in the quotation during the Certification period.  Clients shall be notified of any change in the fee.

If any special audit is conducted on the client as detailed in section 2.10 of this agreement, AMY shall charge an extra fee for such audits to cover the audit charges and other administrative costs, and this shall be payable within 7 days from the date of the invoice.

Cancellation of Audit shall involve re-imbursement of expenses incurred by AMY, if any.

(h) Access to the client site: The client, at the request of AMY, shall permit access to their sites and records for AMY’s auditors and authorized personnel on behalf of the accreditation body to which AMY is accredited. The same shall be communicated to the client in advance.

(I) Agreement Period: This agreement comes to force on and remains in force until the expiry of the certificate, unless withdrawn for justified reasons or withdrawn by either party upon due notice given to the other party.

(j) Liability: AMY’s liability shall be limited to providing certification of the client’s management system and shall not in any way be responsible for the liabilities arising out of the client’s products or services.

(K) Clients can send a complaint or appeal through any of the following channels: Website:www.amyinternational.org, Cellular, Contact Us or WhatsApp: +2012 2216 0596