If the reason for suspension or withdrawal is specific to one management system standard only, then certification to other management system standards is not affected.
A client may request an approval contract to be suspended. The Main office reviews all such requests to identify the reason and to ensure that suspension is appropriate in the circumstances. If suspension is appropriate, tell the client of actions required, that is:
The client remains suspended until either :
A client may request an approval contract to be terminated. An appropriate person from the Area the office reviews all such requests to identify the reason and, if applicable, to also record this as a client complaint. JMS deals with such complaints in line with the client complaints system.
If the reason for the termination request is considered valid, then :
JMS will Tell the client of actions required
JMS will Update the appropriate records (client databases) to ensure that the company is omitted from any subsequent listings of JMS approved clients
If the client is not able to fulfil their obligations under the contract they have in place with JMS the continued approval of that client must be reviewed by the Technical Manager , and a decision taken as to the immediate suspension of their approval.
Any review undertaken must take into account exceptional circumstances, such as natural disasters, that would prevent the client fulfilling their contractual obligations.
Examples where a client is not able to fulfil their obligations include but are not limited to :
If it is demonstrated that a client has acted in a way that would bring JMS, or the certification process into disrepute and would result in a loss of public trust in certification, the continued approval of that client must be reviewed by the Technical Manager, and a decision taken as to the immediate suspension or withdrawal of their approval.
Examples of gross misconduct include, but are not limited to:
If a major nonconformity is raised at a surveillance or certificate renewal visit, JMS plans a further visit to verify corrective action. The time allowed for the client to implement corrective action must be consistent with the severity of the major nonconformity.
If a corrective action review visit cannot be arranged, tell the client that approval is suspended, and the process that will now be followed and what actions are required.
Any proposal to allow a major nonconformity to remain outstanding beyond the three months referenced in procedure Corrective action verification, Major nonconformities section, must be confirmed with a technical verifier for Technical Verification requirements.
When approval is suspended, the client :
JMS gives clients 10 days to respond to the suspension letter, before continuing the process as below.
Action by JMS to the response received from the client depends on the following :
If a client has requested suspension, the certificate remains suspended until reinstatement is requested, or the certificate expires.
If a client’s approval has been suspended because of failure to maintain the approved system, there are three possible responses :
no response (within 10 days), that is the client takes no action, JMS withdraws the approval
On request, publishes suspensions and withdrawals of approval to any interested parties by whatever means is considered to be most effective
When approval is either suspended or withdrawn, a client must withdraw all documents and amend all website entries which make use of the approval and / or approval logos. The client Certifying office shall diarise the suspension or withdrawal of approval so that they can verify, 4 weeks after the date of suspension or withdrawal, that the client has withdrawn any use or reference to the approval or approval mark from their website.
