Certification Policies & Procedures

PUBLIC INFORMATION

IS Partners, LLC adheres to strict audit processes that fully comply with ISO/IEC 17021:2015 in conjunction with ISO/IEC 27006:2024.

All audit processes, rules, and limitations stated in the certification agreement or in supporting documentation are derived from the standards above.

IS Partners, LLC follows the standards’ rules and guidance when determining a scope of an ISMS audit. An ISMS scope can be influenced by a myriad of factors including: the number of physical facilities, complexity of the ISMS, business processes within scope of ISMS, previous audit results, usage of outsourcing and more. Where it might be feasible in some cases to limit a scope for a specific business unit or business process, in other cases it may not be feasible. As such, IS Partners, LLC does not provide any guarantee on limiting the audit scope nor does it provide any guarantee of a successful audit process for any of its customers.

IS Partners, LLC will follow the certification guidelines provided by the ISO/IEC 17021:2015 for determining whether a client is in conformity or not. Certificates will be issued for a 36 months period for successful audits only. A surveillance audit will take place at least once a year and in the event of major organizational changes. If a customer is found to be in breach of the certification agreement and/or misusing the ANAB marks, IS Partners, LLC will revoke its certificate and notify ANAB as applicable.

IS Partners, LLC provides audit services for ISMS under the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 framework.

For any complaints or appeals, please submit the complaint to the following email address: [email protected]

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

When a stakeholder is not accepting a decision made by IS Partners, LLC e.g. related to suspension or withdrawal of certificates, decisions and response to registered complaints, etc., IS Partners LLC provides an impartial and independent Appeals process. Appeals shall be made formally in writing within 30 days after having been officially informed of such a decision, giving notice in writing to IS Partners LLC.  For any complaints or appeals, please submit the complaint to the following email address: [email protected]

IS Partners LLC ensures that submission, investigation and decision on appeals does not result in any discriminatory actions against the appellant.

A complaint is normally an expression of dissatisfaction, other than appeal sent to IS Partners, LLC It may be related to:

• IS Partners LLC functions, for example, how we deliver our services, the content of the services, how we organize our work etc.
• A potential incident and an indication to possible nonconformity

IS Partners LLC shall evaluate the complaint and determine a responsible person to resolve the complaint ensuring that the person is not involved in the subject of the compliant. Any complaint will be investigated, corrections and corrective actions will be taken and effectiveness of corrective actions verified after the resolution of the complaint.

IS Partners LLC ensures that submission, investigation and decision on complaints does not result in any discriminatory actions against the complainant.

IMPARTIALITY POLICY

IS Partners, LLC is committed to ensure impartiality in management system certification activities.

At the start of each engagement, IS Partners carries out a documented analysis to identify possible threats to impartiality and to define actions to reduce such risks to an acceptable level. The risks are reviewed if a threat to impartiality is identified. These include threats that arise from within IS Partners organization or from activities of other persons, bodies or organizations. Whenever a relationship possesses an unacceptable threat to impartiality, then certification is not provided.

USE OF CERTIFICATION MARKS

Use of IS Partners, LLC Marks and Logo

The certified company shall agree to following terms related to Marks and Logo:

1. Make no use of the IS Partners, LLC Certification Mark and make no statements referencing certification which might be misleading or are not in accordance with the IS Partners, LLC Rules for Use of the Marks and Logo.
2. Make no use of the Certification marks on laboratory test, calibration or inspection reports.
3. Upon termination of the certification, return the Certificate to IS Partners, LLC and discontinue reference to the certification and use of accompanying marks in all advertising material or other documents.
4. The Certification shall not be used as evidence of product certification, product endorsement or product approval.
5. Make no use of its certificate or certification in such a way that disrepute to IS Partners, LLC and shall not make any statement regarding its certification which may be considered misleading.

Upon successful certification provided by IS Partners, LLC the certified company is entitled to use the IS Partners, LLC certification and Mark.

The Figure 1 below indicate the IS Partners, LLC logo:

Certification by IS Partners, LLC accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board)

Upon successful certification provided by IS Partners, LLC., the certified company is entitled to use the marks of Accreditor indicated on the company’s certificate. The certified companies may make others aware of their certification by means of various forms of publicity but not on products or product packaging.

If IS Partners, LLC. comes across any publication of certification and/or the usage of its logo and ANAB marks in the wrong manner in any way, IS Partners, LLC. may request the certified company to take corrective actions. This is required in order to maintain the high level of confidence that the marketplace has for certified companies, IS Partners, LLC. and its accredited body.

The Figure 2 below indicate the symbol and Logo of Accreditor (ANAB).

Figure 2

The ANAB accreditation symbol shall be reproduced on a background that will not impede readability:

1. In black or in blue (PMS 286 or equivalent) and red (PMS 485 or equivalent) on a white or light-colored background;
2. In a size that makes all features of the symbol clearly distinguishable; and
3. Without distortion of its dimensions.

The certified company may not place the ANAB accreditation symbol in isolation from the certification body’s (IS Partners, LLC.) symbol, and the size of the ANAB symbol must not exceed the size of the certification body’s symbol.

Certification by IS Partners, LLC. accredited by IAS (International Accreditation Service, Inc.)

Upon successful certification provided by IS Partners, LLC., the certified company is entitled to use the marks of Accreditor indicated on the company’s certificate. The certified companies may make others aware of their certification by means of various forms of publicity but not on products or product packaging.

If IS Partners, LLC. comes across any publication of certification and/or the usage of its logo and IAS marks in the wrong manner in any way, IS Partners, LLC. may request the certified company to take corrective actions. This is required in order to maintain the high level of confidence that the marketplace has for certified companies, IS Partners, LLC. and its accredited body.

The Figure 3 below indicate the symbol and Logo of Accreditor (IAS) with the MSCB-352 reference below it.

Figure 3

The IAS accreditation symbol shall be reproduced on a background that will not impede readability:

1. In a size that makes all features of the symbol clearly distinguishable; and
2. Without distortion of its dimensions.

The certified company may not place the IAS accreditation symbol in isolation from the certification body’s (IS Partners, LLC.) symbol, and the size of the IAS symbol must not exceed the size of the certification body’s symbol.

Handling of the Registration Certificate

All certificates remain the property of IS Partners, LLC., the sole authority who can issue the certificate to a company which is certified.

All certificates and certified entity information will be uploaded to the International Accreditation Forum, Inc. (IAF)’s database.  The following is the information uploaded:

1. Certified company name (legal business name(s) or secondary name as stated in the official national incorporation register).
2. Certified company registered address. Where a certified company Does not have a Registered address, the certification body (IS Partners, LLC.) can upload either an address for receiving legal correspondence or the address of a registered office/agent.
3. Geographical location of each certified company or geographical location of the headquarters and all sites within the scope of a multi-site certification.
4. Certificate number (a unique identification code).
5. Management System Standard and Scheme and/or other normative document.
6. IAF Sector Codes (when applicable).
7. Scope of certification (the scope of certification with respect to the type of activities, products and services as applicable at each site without being misleading or ambiguous). Note: If the certification body (IS Partners, LLC.) has granted a certificate under its own flexible scope of accreditation, it shall indicate that this is the case.
8. Certification issue date(s) (the effective date of granting, expanding or reducing the scope of certification, or renewing certification).
9. Certification expiry date.
10. Certification status (active, suspended or withdrawn). This information shall be maintained on the IAF Database for at least three years after the corresponding decision.
11. Certification body’s (IS Partners, LLC.) name and acronym (if applicable).
12. Accreditation body name and acronym (if applicable).
13. Unique IDs specified by the CB which identify the certified company and certification in the IAF Database.
14. Other definitive legal registration information ‘as necessary’ (e.g. company registration number) where there may be a name conflict (i.e. two different companies who share the same name) or error with the name uploaded or where the Certified Entity Name cannot be found in the official national incorporation register.
15. Any other information required by the standard and/or other normative document used for certification.

Certified companies for advertising purposes and as proof of their certification, may photocopy or scan their current certificate. Electronic copies/ photocopies can be in full color and a copy of the original must be marked.

Certificates must be destroyed or surrendered upon issue of a replacement certificate or cancellation/ withdrawal of certification.

On reduction of the scope of certification, the certified company shall alter all advertising material where certification is referred to reflect the reduced scope.

On suspension or withdrawal of the certification, the certified company shall cease to use all advertising material that refer to the certification.