RvA supports voluntary use of CertSearch database
Recently, the RvA published about the developments regarding CertSearch by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). The RvA has investigated the legal basis for mandatory participation of certification bodies in the CertSearch database and rejects obligatory participation.
For uploading and managing data within the IAF database CertSearch, a so-called mandatory document has been published by IAF. Accreditation bodies and certification bodies would be obliged to implement this document. This under penalty of sanctions. Among other things, the document sets out the scope of the IAF database Certsearch and it describes, for example, what information and when this information on issued accreditations and certificates should be uploaded to the database. The mandatory document describes sanctions if the certification body does not follow the procedures described. The national accreditation body should assess and sanction the certification bodies. The RvA states its standpoint that it is not in a position to make mandatory participation in Certsearch a condition of accreditation.
About CertSearch
CertSearch enables the market and governments to check management system certificates via a global database. Companies can thereby have visibility into the validity of certificates within their global supply chain.