Professional Documents
Culture Documents
for
Bodies operating schemes for
Certification of Persons (PCBs) as
per ISO/IEC 17024:2012
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Contents
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 3
1.1.
Background .................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.
Scheme........................................................................................................................ 4
1.3.
Authority ..................................................................................................................... 11
3.2.
3.3.
Application Flow......................................................................................................... 12
3.4.
3.6.
3.7.
Accreditation .............................................................................................................. 17
3.8.
3.9.
3.10. Re-assessment.......................................................................................................... 19
3.11. Notification to NABET ................................................................................................ 20
3.12. Suspension ................................................................................................................ 20
3.13. Expiry of Accreditation ............................................................................................... 21
3.14. Appeals ...................................................................................................................... 21
3.15. Withdrawal of Accreditation ....................................................................................... 21
3.16. Liability ....................................................................................................................... 22
3.17. Use of Logo................................................................................................................ 23
3.18. Amendment of Scheme ............................................................................................. 24
Annexure I- Fee Structure.................................................................................................... 25
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SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1.
Background
CREDIBLE
COMPETENT
CREATIVE
NABET
MOTTO
CONTINUAL
CONSISTENT
COOPERATIVE
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1.2.
Scheme
The scheme for Accreditation of Bodies for Certification of Persons (PCBs) has been
developed to establish an internationally accepted benchmark for organizations assessing
and evaluating the skills of personnel. The main objective is to raise confidence, improve
productivity and give direction through enhanced skill training to the personnel. The main
reason to achieve this is increase in demand for mobile and skilled global workforce,
emphasizing the need for industry recognized credentials that can be carried across
national borders. Thus to achieve this, the conformity assessment bodies must have
globally accepted systems, processes & standards of assessment to evaluate the
competencies of the certified persons. PCB shall ensure that assessments of personnel
are carried out in a professional and unbiased manner so that the assessing scheme
achieves its objective of mutual acceptance and global exchange of personnel.
The main objective of the scheme are:
a. To create a person certification mechanism according to international benchmark.
b. To make PCB enable, to implement the methodologies for strengthening the
process of certification of person and to act upon them.
c. To ensure that the industries are able to hire personnel with relevant skill sets and
competencies without further investment to train staff.
d. Enhancing the employability prospects for the skilled human resources in India.
e. To fulfill the burgeoning gap between supply and demand of skilled human
resource at global level.
1.3.
Accreditation System
The system of accreditation of PCBs includes a formal exercise to compare as is with the
laid down standards to ascertain that the Conformity Assessment Bodies meet the
International standards and to accord formal recognition of its level of competence.
1.3.1.
Benefits
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BENEFITS OF ACCREDIATION
1.3.2.
Scope of Accreditation
The purpose of this scheme is to accredit the PCBs providing the conformity
assessment for
personal
certification
following
the international
standard
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1.3.3.
Eligibility
The accreditation is open to all assessing bodies in India / other nations which meet
the following eligibility criteria:
a. The assessing body shall be a Legal entity or a defined part of legal
entity, such that it can be held legally responsible for its certification
activities. Bodies for Certification of Persons (PCBs) which are part
of government, or are government departments will be deemed to
be legal entities on the basis of their governmental status. Such
bodies status and structure shall be formally documented and the
bodies shall comply with all the requirements of ISO/IEC 17024.
b. The applicant PCB should be able to demonstrate at least two
separate assessment and certification processes including the
decision making process. This is necessary to assess the ability of
PCB to carry out the certification process as per the documented
system.
c. The applicant PCB should have carried out minimum one internal
audit against the applicable criteria of accreditation and one
management review for the documented quality system prepared as
per ISO/IEC 17024.
d. All the other requirements for the accreditation of PCB must comply
with the requirements specified in ISO/IEC17024:2012, General
requirements for bodies operating certification of persons.
1.3.3.1.
1.3.3.2.
1.3.3.3.
NABET shall reserve the right to take the assistance of local IAF MLA
members for assessments at foreign locations. The fee for such
assessments shall depend on the fee structure of the local accreditation
body. The applicant assessment body shall have the normal right to
appeal against a specific assessor for reasons of conflict of interest. If the
certification body does not prefer to involve such local accreditation body,
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then the reasons for the same would have to be clearly indicated in
writing. NABET reserves the right to share such information with the
concerned accreditation body / IAF.
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2.1.
ACCREDITATION
Third party attestation related to conformity assessment body conveying formal
demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment task.
2.2.
ACCREDITATION BODY
Authoritative body that performs accreditation.
2.3.
2.4.
ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATE
Formal document or a set of documents, stating that accreditation has been granted for
the defined scope.
2.5.
ACCREDITATION SYMBOL
Symbol issued by an accreditation body to be used by accredited CABs to indicate their
accredited status
2.6.
APPEAL
Request by a CAB for reconsideration of any adverse decision made by the accreditation
body related to its desired accreditation status .
2.7.
ASSESSMENT
Process undertaken by an accreditation body to assess the competence of CAB, based
on particular standard(s) and/or other normative documents and for a defined scope of
accreditation.
2.8.
ASSESSOR
A person assigned by the accreditation body to perform, alone or as part of an assessment
team, an assessment of a CAB.
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2.9.
C OMPLAINT
Expression of dissatisfaction, other than appeal, by any person or organization, to an
accreditation body, relating to the activities of that accreditation body or of an accredited
CAB, where response is expected.
2.10.
CERTIFICATION
BODY
FOR
PERSONS
(PCB)/C ONFORMITY
ASSESSMENT
BODY(CAB)/ASSESSING BODY
Body that performs conformity assessment services and that can be the object of
accreditation.
2.11. C ONSULTANCY
Participation in any of the activities of CAB subject to accreditation
2.13. EXPERT
Person assigned by an accreditation body to provide specific knowledge or expertise with
respect to the scope of accreditation to be assessed
2.14. IAF
International Accreditation Form
2.15. IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
2.16. ISO
International Standard Organization
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2.22. NABET
National Accreditation Board for Education and Training
2.24. QCI
Quality Council of India
2.27. SURVEILLANCE
Set of activities, except reassessment, to monitor the continued fulfilment by accredited
CABs of requirements for accreditation.
2.30. WITNESSING
Observation of the CAB carrying out conformity assessment services within its scope of
accreditation.
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Authority
NABET has the sole authority for operating this accreditation scheme of Quality Council of
India.
3.2.
3.2.2.
3.2.3.
3.2.4.
An application for accreditation shall remain valid for one year. Some
flexibility may be permitted on this policy, provided the application is being
processed in a manner acceptable to the Secretariat.
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3.3.
Application Flow
STAGE -II
CENTRAL OFFICE ASSESSMENT
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STAGE -III
FINAL ASSESSMENT (Regional Office and
Testing Center)
CLOSURE OF NONCONFORMITY BY
THE APPLICANT
PCB
YES
NON-CONFORMITY
OBSERVED DURING
FINAL ASSESSMENT?
NO
NO
ADDITIONAL
CLARIFICATION
FROM ASSESSING
BODIES
VERIFICATION OF
CLOSURE ACTION
BY NABET ASSESSOR
OKAY?
YES
NO
APPROVED BY
ACCREDITATION
COMMITTEE
YES
ACCREDITATION
AWARDED
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3.4.
Accreditation Process
The draft plan shall be prepared in stages depending on the information supplied by
assessing body. The draft plan shall be discussed with authorized personnel of the PCB
to ensure an effective assessment programme at each stage.
The Assessing Body has to provide 6 months schedule of the skill assessment being
planned. NABET will conduct the assessment of any Regional/ Branch offices and Test
Centers at its own discretion. However, the schedule for Central Office Assessment will be
planned in consultation with Assessing Body in each assessment.
A preliminary visit may be conducted with the agreement of the PCB. The visit may result
in identification of deficiencies in the system of the applicant PCB or its competencies. The
fee for the same will be charged according to the scope applied.
The Accreditation process comprises of 3 stages:Stage I-
Document Assessment
Stage II-
Stage III-
3.4.1.
3.4.1.1.
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i.
j.
k. Published documents.
l.
After evaluation, NABET will inform the Conformity Assessment body of the
non- conformities and/or observations if any.
3.4.1.2.
The assessing body is required to close all non- conformities prior to the
commencement of Assessment of Central Office.
3.4.2.
NABET shall undertake one full assessment of the central office of the
PCB. On-site central office assessment duration will be decided by
NABET assessor based on the scope of accreditation. Assessment will
be conducted by qualified and experienced assessors trained by
NABET.
3.4.2.2.
3.4.3.
3.4.3.1.
3.4.3.2.
The Assessing Body shall be informed of the findings and nonconformities if any in the closing meeting by the NABET assessment
team. However the final report and the recommendation will be sent after
the decision of the Board.
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3.4.3.3.
In case any corrective action is required, the Assessing Body shall make
the necessary corrections & improvements, and submit the appropriate
documentation within a defined time schedule.
3.4.3.4.
3.4.3.5.
3.4.3.6.
3.4.3.7.
3.4.3.8.
In case the PCB has multiple locations, then all or partial assessment of
few selected locations and associated Testing Centers will be conducted
by NABET. The choice of location will be at the discretion of NABET.
3.5.
3.5.1.
Assessment report
The assessment team shall prepare a report at each stage of the
assessment Document Assessment, Central Office assessment,
Regional office / Testing Centre assessment.
3.5.2.
3.5.3.
3.5.4.
3.5.5.
NABET shall try to resolve any comments received on the report within a
period of 10 working days and shall submit the report at the end of this
period.
3.5.6.
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3.6.
3.6.1.
3.6.2.
3.7.
3.7.1.
Accreditation
The NABET Accreditation Committee shall take the decision on NABET
accreditation depending on the Assessment report.
3.7.2.
3.7.3.
3.7.4.
Subsequently for the Assessing Body will have to clear the certification
fee on quarterly basis for maintenance of accreditation.
3.7.5.
The initial accreditation certificate shall be valid for three years and the
date
3.8.
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3.8.2.
Three months prior to the annual surveillance, NABET secretariat shall send
a reminder to the certification body (along with the surveillance assessment
forms).
3.8.3.
During the assessment, NABET reserves the right to select the Testing
center location will be randomly selected, ensuring that all key locations are
covered in an accreditation cycle as a minimum. Central office shall be
audited in each surveillance
3.8.4.
3.8.5.
In the event of any critical and / or major non-conformity that can affect the
certification process, the Chief Executive Officer of the Board shall inform
the accredited PCB and shall call for a time bound corrective action plan.
3.8.6.
3.8.7.
3.8.8.
NABET reserves the right to carry out more frequent or longer surveillance
as necessary in case of complaints/concerns against the delivery or
administration of the certification process. Cost for the same shall be borne
by the assessing body on the basis of man-days.
3.8.9.
3.9.
Extension/Reduction of scope
3.9.1.
3.9.2.
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3.9.3.
3.9.4.
3.9.5.
3.9.6.
3.9.7.
3.10.
Re-assessment
3.10.1.
3.10.2.
NABET shall carry out re-assessment before the expiry of the current
certificate. NABET shall carry out reassessment just like initial
assessment.
3.10.3.
The assessing body shall submit the renewal application along with
prescribed fee at least three months in advance of the expiry of the current
accreditation period. A renewal assessment similar to the initial
assessment, shall be carried out for considering further renewal.
3.10.4.
3.10.5.
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3.11.
Notification to NABET
3.11.1.
Scope of accreditation.
g. Other such matters that may affect the accredited body capability,
or scope of accredited activities, or compliance with accreditation
criteria.
3.11.2.
3.12.
Suspension
3.12.1.
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j.
3.13.
Expiry of Accreditation
3.13.1.
3.13.2.
The accreditation of the assessing body shall also expire if the renewal is
not agreed to by NABET.
3.14.
Appeals
3.14.1.
3.14.2.
3.14.3.
3.14.4.
3.15.
Withdrawal of Accreditation
3.15.1.
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3.15.2.
3.15.3.
3.15.4.
3.16.
Liability
NABET or QCI does not accept liability for mistakes made by PCBs or any mistakes that
may possibly occur on the certificate or reports issued by NABET accredited bodies. NABET
agreements contains a disclaimer that indemnifies the liability of NABET. All applicants are
required to sign such an agreement as a requirement for accreditation. No member of
NABET including its staff and accreditation/technical committee members, acting in good
faith shall be personally liable for any decisions or actions in respect of the accreditation of
PCBs.
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3.17.
Use of Logo
The conditions for use of NABET Logo for Accredited Bodies are:
3.17.1.
The accredited body can only uses the accreditation symbols for premises
of the body that are specifically included in the accreditation, The
accredited body shall not make any statement regarding its accreditation
that NABET may consider misleading or unauthorized.
3.17.2.
3.17.3.
3.17.4.
The logo shall not be used in any way that it misleads the reader about
the accredited status of the assessing body.
3.17.5.
Neither the assessing bodys nor the accreditation bodys logo shall be
used on the packaging of a product, labels, written announcements etc.
that in any way suggests that the assessing body or the accreditation body
have certified or approved any product, process or service of the
accredited body or in any other misleading manner.
3.17.6.
The logo shall not be displayed on vehicles except in publicity material like
part of a large advertisement.
3.17.7.
3.17.8.
All quotations and contracts by the accredited body having the logo shall
clearly indicate the portion of activities that are not accredited by the
Board.
3.17.9.
3.17.10. The accredited body shall not allow the fact of its accreditation to be used
to imply that a product, process, system or person is approved by the
accreditation body.
3.17.11. NABET reserves the right to change the conditions as and when
considered necessary and the same shall be communicated to all the
concerned personnel assessing bodies.
3.17.12. NABET shall take suitable action to deal with incorrect reference to accord
status, or misleading use of accreditation symbol found in advertisement,
catalogue etc.
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3.18.
Amendment of Scheme
3.18.1.
3.18.2.
3.18.3.
3.18.4.
3.18.5.
In the event of any major change in the criteria, the Board reserves the
right to carry out an additional assessment and the fee of such
assessment visit shall be borne by certification body. The fee for such
additional assessment shall have to be paid in advance.
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India
Application Fee
Rs 50,000.00
Certificate Fee
Rs 25000.00
International
Application Fee
US $ 2,000.00
Certificate Fee
US $ 1000.00
Notes
a. The NABET has all the rights to revise the fee schedule at the end of every financial
year.
b. The Board shall take the following actions if any applicant or accredited PCBs fails
to pay the fee as invoicedi.
ii.
iii.
c. Certification fee is to be paid on quarterly basis. In case of default by the PCB, the
accreditation
will
be
suspended
withdrawn.
In
the
event
of
the
suspension/withdrawal of the accreditation, the fee paid till such time will not be
refunded.
d. In case of pre- assessment visit, follow up visit for NCs or visit in respect of
complaints, a fees @ Rs. 25,000 per man day will be charged.
e. In case of an assessment on foreign location carried out by the local (Foreign)
Accreditation Body the fees (man day charges) for the same shall be charged as
per the fees structure of that local (Foreign) Accreditation Body.
f.
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