TQCS International Pty Ltd (TQCSI) was established in Adelaide,
South Australia, in August 1995 and was the first, and remains the
only, South Australian created and owned company providing an assessment
service for third party certification. Now with international operations,
Head Office remains in Adelaide but assessments are conducted by
Lead Auditors throughout Australia and Asia.
The Company provides auditing services for Quality Management Systems
to the Australian and International Standard ISO 9001:2000 through
our 'Quality Certified' program, for Environmental Management Systems
to ISO 14001:1996 through our 'Environmentally Certified' Program,
for Food Safety Programs through our 'HACCP Certified' Program and
for Safety (OH&S) Management Systems through our 'Safety Certified'
Program.
TQCSI also audits against the relevant standards for other industry
specific codes. TQCSI's own Small Business Management Code has been
tailored to the successful Food Safety Program, CCF Civil Construction
Management Code and many others.
Why use TQCSI - what are the advantages?
TQCSI provides a no nonsense, practical approach
to interpreting your management system in accordance with the requirements
of the appropriate Standard. We are dedicated to providing total
customer satisfaction while maintaining a credible, logical understanding
of the Standards and an appreciation of your Company's needs.
TQCSI employs carefully selected auditors who have
had extensive business experience, who understand business demands
and who are qualified Auditors. Whenever possible we use local
auditors to reduce costs..
TQCSI offers a cost effective service designed to
be attractive to all companies and, in particular, those small companies
which comprise the majority of our business structure within Australasia
and Asia.
TQCSI responds, our auditors are available to visit at your
convenience for a no obligation, free quotation and to explain what
services are available prior to your formal application for registration.
TQCSI services are available when required and will
fit into your timetable for inspection audits and final assessment.
TQCSI conducts regular surveillance audits scheduled to
conform with your availability.
TQCSI was initially developed to provide the market with
a readily available alternative to the larger, more bureaucratic
companies. We offer prompt service with a practical application
at a real cost advantage.
TQCSI processes certification faster than any other
certification body.
TQCSI promotes your certification through the E-Certificates
on our website.
Certification Process
Regardless of the particular program selected, TQCSI has
an established method of assessing management systems to formal
third party certification. At TQCSI we strive to retain simplicity
in the audit process and set the highest priority on client requirements
in a partnership relationship. The implementation of this method
and philosophy is what sets TQCSI apart from the others who,
too often, demonstrate bureaucracy, require additional overheads
and prove to be, both, difficult to achieve and expensive.
TQCSI applies simple, effective applications and interpretations
within the following framework
1 - Introduction Interview
Contact
with the TQCSI Office will provide the opportunity
for a discussion where the proposed system requirements
and conditions of certification will be explained in detail.
You will be provided with a clear understanding of what
is required and be given plenty of opportunity to ask
for clarification until completely aware of the responsibilities
of both parties.
For large companies, or those with diverse
operations, it may be desirable at this stage for TQCSI
to visit and view your Company's operations and services.
Once the necessary information has been
solicited, you will be given a firm quotation for the
certification services with all costs explained and
no hidden charges to worry about. Quotations may also
be requested via our web site: www.tqcsi.com. Quotations
will normally be forwarded by mail with an Information
Pack which will include the Rules of Certification and
an Application Form.
A proposed time frame for the certification will then
be agreed upon.
2 - Application
Once you decide to accept TQCSI
for certification, you should complete the Application
Form and forward it to the local TQCSI Office.
Applications may also be made through
our web site: www.tqcsi.com.
On receipt of the application, you will
receive an acknowledgment which, in itself, may be used
to demonstrate to customers that you have made a firm
commitment to proceed to third party certification.
You may then contact TQCSI, at any stage, to
discuss any issues regarding our services and the certification
process.
3 - Document Review
When your Policy Manual has been completed,
you should contact the TQCSI Office to arrange
for a Document Review. The Review will determine the
Manual's conformance with the formal Standard and it
may reveal discrepancies that require correction before
the Pre-Audit and/or System Audit can be conducted.
This Document Review is normally conducted at TQCSI
but may be completed at your premises. This Review prepares
your documentation for ultimate assessment. For Food
Safety Programs, the HACCP Plan will also be required
for the Document Review.
Following the Document Review you will
be provided with a written report detailing any areas
requiring attention.
4 - Pre-Audit
As an optional service, you may undertake
a Pre-Audit to preview your Company's preparedness for
the System Audit. While this service will not review
every function of the system it will, in most cases,
be sufficient to provide a realistic measurement of
the system's development. It should be conducted within
one to two months of the System Audit and many companies
have found it beneficial in highlighting any major discrepancies
prior to the more formal assessment. The Pre-Audit will
also allow the Auditor to accurately forecast what resources
will be required to conduct the formal assessment. A
Pre-Audit is mandatory for Environmental Management
Systems (Stage 1 Audit).
5 - System Audit
When you believe the system is operating
as documented, continued effective operation within
the system has developed a viable history of performance,
and you have addressed issues identified by the Document
Review or Pre-Audit, the formal System Audit can be
arranged.
The System Audit will ensure that .......
'you have written what you are doing
and you are doing what you have written'
...... and all operations are in conformance
with the requirements of the Standard and your System
documentation..
If minor nonconformances are found during
the System Audit you will be required to provide an
Action Plan to address the relevant issues. On receipt
of a satisfactory Action Plan detailing the target dates
for rectification, the Auditor will recommend the certification
to proceed.
If major nonconformances are found during
the System Audit you will be required to take appropriate
action to rectify the problems and then have the relevant
issues re-audited. Successful rectification will then
allow the certification procedure to continue.
The process is somewhat different for
Environmental Management System certification. Initial
site visits are conducted prior to the issuing of a
quotation. The Pre-Audit (also referred to as Stage
1 Assessment) which is mandatory for EMS, is usually
combined with a Document Review. The System Audit (also
known as the Stage 2 Assessment) is conducted when action
items identified at Stage 1 have been addressed.
6 - Certification
Providing the System Audit demonstrates
compliance to the Standard and recognised nonconformances
have been corrected, or there is an agreed Action Plan
in place, your Company will be recommended for certification.
The recommendation will then be submitted to the TQCSI
Certification Approval Panel for ratification.
You will be asked to sign a Licence
Agreement, which explains your responsibilities and
the responsibilities of TQCSI to ensure your
system remains compliant following certification. It
will specify the scope and any limitations to, or exclusions
from, the certification. Your Company will then be listed
in the TQCSI List of Certified Organisations
and, for Quality Management System (QMS) and Environmental
Management System (EMS) certification, on the JAS-ANZ
Register. You will then be forwarded your Certificate
of Registration. Formal notice of certification is normally
forwarded within five days of certification approval.
You may then use the TQCSI Certification
Marks and other approved marks for promotional and identification
purposes. The TQCSI Certification Mark highlights
your commitment to continuously improving your Company's
operations in accordance with International and/or industry
specific standards. TQCSI Rules of Certification
contain the guidelines for the use of these marks.
7 - Surveillance Audits
Normally once or twice per year (depending
on the size of your Company), the TQCSI Auditor
will visit and check your system to ensure it is continuing
to conform with the Standard. The frequency and length
of these Surveillance Audits is determined by international
guidelines. Should nonconformances be recognised during
these audits you will be required to correct the relevant
issue within a time frame determined by you and the
Auditor. Continued failure to correct the nonconformances
as requested may result in suspension of the certification.
8 - Triennial Assessment
On the third anniversary of your original
certification, you will be required to undergo a reassessment
similar to that of the initial System Audit. This requirement
is designed to ensure that the entire system is continuing
to be applied in conformance with the Standard. On completion
of the Triennial Assessment a new Licence Agreement
will be signed and the three year cycle will re-commence
in the normal manner. A new Certificate of Registration
will then be issued.
Point of Contact
You are always welcome to contact your local TQCSI Office
to clarify any issues with your certification. The TQCSI
Office will either address the issue on the spot or refer the matter
to your Auditor accordingly.
Companies already certified
Special conditions apply to companies who are already certified
with other certification bodies and wish to transfer to TQCSI.
The process to transfer is simple and often more cost effective
than remaining with a certification body that is providing inferior
service. Details are available on request.
Multiple-site companies
Companies controlling multiple-site operations will be advised
by the local TQCSI Office on the most effective option in
which to proceed towards certification. There is sufficient flexibility
in the certification requirements to enable a range of options to
suit individual needs in the most cost effective manner.
Confidence
Certification of systems is recognition by an independent body
that the respective management system is being conducted in accordance
with pre-established and formally recognised standards.
It is also an assurance to other companies that your services and/or
products are controlled and include a continuous improvement program.
Essentially, it provides your customers and potential customers
with the confidence that your Company will produce the same product
or service repeatedly and that you will respond to any complaints
or suggestions for improvement.
Confidentiality
TQCSI provides a complete assurance to its clients
that all information and data observed and/or used during auditing
activities will remain confidential and will not be revealed in
any form to any unauthorised person.
Our assurance to you
TQCSI provides a reputable, honest and credible certification.
We maintain the highest standards upon which you and your customers
can rely. For more information, see our website: www.tqcsi.com.
