DEKRA Audit
Hereyou can find the answers to your questions about our Audit services
Audit FAQ
Answer to all your questions
Do you have questions about an audit carried out by us or do you want to know more about all steps in the certification process? On this page we answer frequently asked questions.
About auditing
How do we perform audits at DEKRA?
How do we perform audits at DEKRA?
DEKRA Audit (operating under DEKRA Certification B.V.) assesses the functionality, effectiveness and performance of your business processes, in relation to the risks your organization faces. We test these processes against the established standard, a set of rules that must be met. The standard is important to enable certification, but the actual functionality and performance of the management system for your organization, customers, employees and other stakeholders are paramount. DEKRA deploys auditors who penetrate to the core of the processes and thereby make the actual bottlenecks visible. The main focus is on the effectiveness of the processes in relation to the set objectives, with DEKRA using the standard as a reference.
What is a trial audit?
What are organization specific standards?
Who can guide me in the area of certification?
Where can I find BMI / SCIOS certified companies?
Request an audit
How can I request a quote?
To request a quote, a request form is available on the website. Should additional information be required, we will contact you. In the quotation you will find an overview of your specified scope (scope of the investigation), the relevant standard and the time commitment required to perform the audits.
How does scheduling an audit work?
What is the average turnaround time for an audit schedule?
Can I also determine the audit criteria myself? (Independent assessment)
How can I reschedule/cancel an audit appointment?
How long may I delay an audit?
What can I expect after assignment?
The implementation phase
What happens during an initial certification audit?
The initial certification audit is done in two phases. Depending on the size of your organization and the standard, these two phases may or may not be performed consecutively.
Initial certification audit - Phase 1.
During the first phase of the initial certification audit, DEKRA will assess whether your organization is prepared for the actual audit in phase 2. This is done by assessing, among other things:
- the management system documentation;
- the internal audit process, including the internal audits performed;
- the organization's own management review.
During this phase, we validate and collect the data that led to the offer and compile the audit agenda for phase 2. DEKRA reports on the results of the first phase and discusses them with you. The conclusion may be that your organization is ready to enter the second phase or that the management system is still insufficient on a number of points to enter the second phase. Should the latter be the case, the planning will be adjusted accordingly.
Initial certification audit - Phase 2.
During phase 2, DEKRA tests the implementation and effectiveness of the management system within your organization. During the first phase we looked globally at the management system, in this phase the audit has more depth. During the audit, shortcomings may be identified. After all shortcomings are dealt with, the auditor nominates your organization to certification management for certification.
What can I expect after the implementation of phase 1?
What can I expect after the implementation of phase 2?
The certificate
What can I expect after receiving the certificate?
After the certification management has made a positive certification decision, you will receive the certificate. You will receive the certificate for the period of three years. You can also use the certification marks associated with the certificate. In addition, as a certified organization, your organization will be included in DEKRA's certificate database.
You may use these certification marks on your website, letterhead and other communications, but not on products. The conditions attached to the use of the certificate and certification marks are attached to the certificate letter. There may be circumstances where not all conditions for certification are met, for example, if the auditor does not make a positive recommendation or if contractual conditions are not met. In such cases, certification management decides that no certificate will be issued. Such a decision may be appealed.
What should I do if changes in my organization are going to take place / have taken place?
How long is my certificate valid?
Where may I use my certification marks?
Can I check the validity of a certificate?
How many copies of my certificate will I receive / in what languages?
How can I request a new (persons certification) pass?
Reporting and follow-up audits
What takes place after my organization's certification?
After certification, follow-up audits take place at least annually. Depending on the standard, or at your request, these follow-up audits may also take place half-yearly. The very first follow-up audit is conducted no later than 12 months after the date of issue of the certificate. DEKRA plans the follow-up audits in consultation with you and announces them approximately three months in advance. During the follow-up audits, DEKRA again examines the functionality, effectiveness and performance of your business processes.
Requests to expand or restrict the scope must be known in advance so that the audit agenda can be adjusted accordingly.
A recertification audit takes place after three years. During this recertification audit a full assessment will again take place, in which the performance of the management system during the past three years and the results of the follow-up audits are assessed. Once the recertification audit has been successfully completed, certification can again take place.
The recertification audit takes place at least four months prior to the expiration date of the certificate. DEKRA announces this audit approximately three months in advance.
What can I expect after conducting a 2nd follow-up audit?
Deficiencies or cancellation
What if all conditions for certification are not met?
There may be circumstances where not all conditions for certification are met, for example, if the auditor does not make a positive recommendation or if contractual conditions are not met. In these cases, certification management decides that no certificate will be issued. Such a decision can be appealed.
What are deficiencies and how are they handled?
What are the consequences if I do not submit the action plan (for solving the deficiencies) on time?
What are the consequences if the action plan is not approved by the auditor?
How can I cancel?
What are the consequences if I cancel?