Latest News & Opinion on the ISO Certification Scheme
CMMC-AB Roundup: Misleading FAQ, AB Conflicts of Interest Worsen
The new CMMC-AB FAQ page is riddled with falsehoods; plus, an AB Board Member is slated to appear at a paid event promoting CMMC consultants.
As Reports of Slavery and Genocide Grow, UKAS Refuses To Take Action
UKAS accreditations continue to legitimize companies involved in wonton human rights abuses.
CMMC-AB Moves to “Restrict” Public Access to Its CAGE Code Status
CMMC-AB officials toggled off public availability of their CAGE code status in SAM.gov, thus hiding the information from the public and press.
Traction: Aligning ISO 9001 and the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)
Guidance on implementing a “Traction” Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) alongside an ISO 9001 quality management system.
Complaint Filed Against TUV NORD Middle East for “Brazen” Consulting Scheme
The Dubai office of TUV NORD was found to be openly performing consulting for clients it would later certify to ISO 9001 and other standards.
ISO Committee Voting to Delay, Not Call Off, ISO 9001 Revision
TC 176 is moving to delay a short-term revision to ISO 9001, but won’t rule out an earlier-than-usual update.
The $8 Solution for CMMC’s “China Problem”
The DOD could drop the mandate that the CMMC-AB report to the IAF and China, and undergo domestic oversight at a tiny fraction of the cost.
Indian CB Offers $88 ISO Certs If You Prove You Exist, Claims Full Accreditation
JS Certifications will certify a company to a dozen or more ISO standards based only on the submission of company “letterhead” and a voter ID card.
CMMC-AB Triples Down on Demanding “Home Inspections,” Risking DIB Revolt, Civil Rights Lawsuits
An AB Board Member insists that CMMC assessments will require auditing the private residences of employees who work from home.
Serbian Certificate Mill’s AB Mimics Official IAS Website, Logo to Sell Fake Certifications
IAS just found out someone is willing to be even less ethical than they are.
OP-ED: New CMMC-AB CEO Faces Tough Battle to Rein In Board Conflicts of Interest
Matthew Travis faces a massive uphill battle to dig the CMMC-AB out from under a corrupt Board that may limit his maneuverability.
UKAS, IQNet Accredited Certificates for Glove Manufacturer Known to Use Forced Labor
ISO certification scheme overseers appear to be ignoring human rights abuses, empowering those that profit from modern-day slavery.
IAF Is Ignoring the Practice of “Accreditation Body Shopping”
ISO registrars move between accreditation bodies to avoid nonconformities, and get easier auditing.
Leaked Document Appears to Show CMMC-AB Attempting to Justify Conflicts of Interest
The document appears to represent a “Q&A” between the CMMC-AB and the DOD in preparing defenses to the conflicts of interest complaints filed against it.
Complaint Filed Against Control Union for Alleged ISO 14001 Scope Violation
Control Union also threatens to charge complainants for “costs” when it clears itself of any complaint.
Public Call: IAF Must Suspend Support of Uyghur Abuses by China
The IAF’s role in supporting China’s humanitarian abuses of Uyghurs is called out.
How Q001’s “Quality Culture” Requirement Improves Upon the Quality Policy
Oxebridge Q001 moves beyond ISO 9001’s “Quality Policy,” providing a demonstrable means of proving a company has implemented a true culture of quality.
As Board Bleeds More Members, CMMC-AB Registration in SAM.gov Lapses
Ben Tchoubineh and Nicole Dean have both quit the CMMC-AB, as that group’s official government procuremen registration lapsed.
DoD Won’t Freeze CMMC Model, “Phase 2” Version Will Impact on Manufacturing Firms
The CMMC Program Management Office revealed that a major revision of the CMMC standard will include both IT and OT controls, thus impacting on machine shops and manufacturers.
IRS Confirms: CMMC-AB Does Not Hold Tax Exempt Status
The IRS has confirmed that the CMMC-AB does not hold tax-exempt filing status, contradicting official filings the body made in March of 2020.
IAF Suddenly Invents Rule Allowing “Documentation Only” Audits of CBs, But Not for ISO End Users
CBs can now mail in their homework to maintain accreditation, even as the same approach is prohibited for ISO 9001 certified companies.
ISO 9001 Certificate Issued to Russian Register Withdrawn After Oxebridge Complaint
URS has withdrawn an ISO 9001 certificate issued to its competitor, Russian Register, after a high-level Oxebridge complaint.
Oxebridge Launches Wiki for THE AUDITOR Comic Strip
Oxebridge has created an official wiki page for THE AUDITOR comic strip.
IAQG Mandates AS9100 Nonconformity Quotas, Ensuring Class Action Lawsuit
The latest release of AS9104/3 requires aerospace registrars to measure auditor performance based on “nonconformities per audit day.”
Parsing ISO 17021-1’s Melange of Procedure Callouts
The standard for certification bodies uses over 15 different terms to refer to “procedures,” making implementation a nightmare without third-party help.
From Bad to Worse: CMMC Accreditation Body Ignores Deadline on Ethics Complaint
The CMMC Accreditation Body has again ignored a formal complaint put to it, the latest alleging overt violations of its Code of Ethics by board members.
ISO Preps to Revise ISO 9001, Overriding International Vote Results
ISO has telegraphed its intent to revise ISO 9001:2015 over the objections of the world’s ISO members, further discrediting the myth that its standards are built on “consensus.”
Complaint Filed with CMMC-AB Alleging Ethics Violations by Board Members
Multiple current and former Board Members are alleged to be personally profiting from their roles in the CMMC-AB by selling CMMC related services or products.
Benefits of ISO 9001, Part 13: Clause 8.5.5 Post-Delivery Activities
Extracting tangible benefits from ISO 9001’s Clause 8.5.5 on “Post-Delivery Activities”
DoD Threats of False Claims Act Prosecutions in CMMC Scheme Are “Exaggerated”
Ironically, the Dept. of Defense is making false claims about its ability to prosecute False Claims Act lawsuits against defense contractors who fail to obtain CMMC.
Benefits of ISO 9001, Part 12: Clause 8.5.4 Preservation
Extracting tangible benefits from ISO 9001’s Clause 8.5.4 on “Preservation.”
Gross: ASQ Tries to Take Credit for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Sigh… ASQ is trying to take credit for fixing a problem that was caused by a failure of quality to begin with.
Oxebridge Files Complaint Alleging Felony Fraud Led to CMMC-AB Contract Award
Documents submitted by the CMMC-AB to obtain a federal CAGE code included a false statement claiming the group was “tax-exempt” in March 2020.
Quality Digest Corrects Claims Made by IAF About CertSearch
QD’s editors stepped in with additional reporting to refute some false claims made by an IAF rep.
In Stunning Move, US DOD Hands CMMC Scheme Oversight to Foreign Actors
The no-bid contract requires the CMMC-AB to undergo peer evaluations by foreign auditors, granting them physical access to reports of US cybersecurity deficiencies.
