Coronavirus/COVID-19: Possible Amendments to On-Site Conformity Assessments

Action required

Noting the changes described below.

Affected customers

All customers

Background

The COVID-19 outbreak, known as coronavirus, has led to safety concerns and travel restrictions that may affect the scheduling of on-site conformity assessments.

As stated in issue 1 of IAF Informative Document for Management of Extraordinary Events or Circumstances Affecting ABs, CABs and Certified Organizations, an extraordinary event affecting a certified organization or CAB may temporarily prevent the CAB from carrying out planned audits on-site. When such a situation occurs, ABs and CABs, operating under recognised standards or regulatory documents need to establish (in consultation with certified organizations), a reasonable planned course of action.

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is currently evaluating risk and possible amendments to the organization’s oversight plans for upcoming assessments that may be affected by these restrictions. Our goal is to find solutions to ensure the safety of our assessors, while also minimizing disruption to the conformity assessment activities for our valued customers.

Your Account Manager will communicate with you directly if there is a change to your assessment.

New requirements

None

Deadline

None

Questions?

For any further questions, please contact Abdel Kassou, Manager, Compliance and Assessment Services, Accreditation Services, at abdel.kassou@scc.ca or +1 613 238 3222.