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Trust Centre

The Rules We Work By, Published in Full

Our accreditation, certification process, decision rules, conditions for the use of marks, impartiality safeguards and complaints procedure, published in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and the standards governing each of our services.

Member of Dubai SME

Accreditation

Accredited by EGAC, recognised internationally

All four GQCL services are accredited by the Egyptian Accreditation Council, a signatory to the international recognition arrangements of IAF and ILAC.

Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC)

The national accreditation body of Egypt, and a signatory to the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement and the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement.

Accreditation details

ISO/IEC17021-1Management systemsAccredited
Management System Certification
ISO/IEC 17021-1
Schedule number to be added
ISO/IEC17029Validation and verificationAccredited
Validation and Verification
ISO/IEC 17029 and ISO 14065
Schedule number to be added
ISO/IEC17024Certification of personsAccredited
Personnel Certification
ISO/IEC 17024
Schedule No. 0826002B
ISO/IEC17020Inspection, Type AAccredited
Inspection
ISO/IEC 17020 (Type A)
Schedule number to be added

The EGAC accreditation symbol and the IAF MLA and ILAC MRA marks are used only for accredited scopes, in the form EGAC approves, and always with the accreditation number. Standard badges are GQCL marks and do not represent ISO or IEC.

01 Accreditation

Accreditation status by service

Accredited and non-accredited activities are always shown separately.

Service	Standard	Accreditation body	Status
Management System Certification	ISO/IEC 17021-1	EGAC	Accredited
Validation and Verification	ISO/IEC 17029 · ISO 14065	EGAC	Accredited
Personnel Certification	ISO/IEC 17024	EGAC	Accredited
Inspection	ISO/IEC 17020 (Type A)	EGAC	Accredited

EGAC: Egyptian Accreditation Council. In the UAE, GQCL holds a Work Activity Permit issued by EIAC, and its application for EIAC accreditation is in progress.

02 Certification process

From application to certification, and throughout the cycle

Those who audit you never make the certification decision. Each service page sets out its own detailed process.

Step 01
Application review
We confirm the scope, our competence to deliver it and the audit time, then issue a quotation and certification agreement.
Step 02
Stage 1 audit
A review of your documented system, site conditions and readiness for Stage 2.
Step 03
Stage 2 audit
An on-site evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of the system.
Step 04
Independent decision
A reviewer not involved in the audit makes the certification decision, and the certificate is issued.

03 Certification decisions

How certification is granted, maintained, suspended and withdrawn

The same rules apply to every client. The current status of every certificate is available on the verification page.

A. Granting or refusing certification

Certification is granted when the audit evidence demonstrates conformity with the requirements, and any major nonconformities have been corrected and the corrections verified. Certification is refused where this cannot be demonstrated within the agreed timeframe. The reasons for a refusal are always given in writing.

B. Maintaining certification

Certification remains valid while surveillance audits are completed on schedule, at least once each calendar year, and continue to demonstrate that the system conforms to the requirements.

C. Renewing certification

A recertification audit is conducted before the certificate expires. A positive recertification decision before expiry renews the certificate for a further three years without interruption.

D. Suspending certification

Certification may be suspended for a defined period where the system has persistently or seriously failed to meet requirements, a surveillance or recertification audit has not been permitted at the required frequency, the certificate or marks have been misused, or the client has requested a voluntary suspension. During suspension the certification is temporarily invalid and must not be promoted.

E. Restoring certification

Suspended certification is restored when the issue that caused the suspension has been resolved within the period set, which is confirmed by an audit where necessary.

F. Withdrawing certification

Certification is withdrawn where the issue is not resolved within the suspension period, or in cases of serious breach. The client must then cease all use of the certificate, the GQCL mark and any reference to certification.

G. Extending or reducing the scope

The scope is extended following a successful audit of the additional activities or sites. It is reduced where part of the scope has persistently or seriously failed to meet requirements, or at the client's request.

06 Impartiality

Certification that is earned on evidence alone

GQCL's top management is committed to impartiality in all certification, validation, verification and inspection activities. We identify, analyse, evaluate and address risks to impartiality on an ongoing basis, and do not permit commercial, financial or other pressures to compromise our decisions.

An Impartiality Committee, comprising representatives of interested parties, reviews our activities at least once a year and has direct access to top management.

How we protect it

No consultancy: We never design, implement or advise on the systems, statements or items we assess.
Separate decisions: Certification decisions are made by competent persons who did not take part in the audit.
Declared interests: All personnel declare any relationship with a client and are not assigned where a conflict exists.
Remuneration independent of outcome: No one at GQCL is rewarded according to the outcome of an audit or assessment.

08 Documents