{"id":30294,"date":"2024-05-23T12:26:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T16:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/?p=30294"},"modified":"2024-05-23T12:26:51","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T16:26:51","slug":"ignorance-is-bliss-iso-certification-overseers-show-pattern-of-ignoring-official-complaints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/ignorance-is-bliss-iso-certification-overseers-show-pattern-of-ignoring-official-complaints\/","title":{"rendered":"Ignorance is Bliss: ISO Certification Overseers Show Pattern of Ignoring Official Complaints"},"content":{"rendered":"

The chart below shows a sampling of complaints filed by Oxebridge on behalf of whistleblowers and stakeholders, and the status of each as of May 2024. The data goes back to 2019. As you can see, the typical response is for oversight bodies to “ignore” the matter outright, in violation of a host of allegedly mandatory accreditation rules, like ISO 17021-1, ISO 17011, and others.<\/p>\n

A quick explanation of the hierarchy here:<\/p>\n

CB – Certification Body<\/strong> – issue certificates such as ISO 9001, AS9100, etc., to their client companies. They must conform to ISO 17021, ISO 17025 or a handful of other such standards.<\/p>\n

AB – Accreditation Body<\/strong> – accredit (authorize) the CBs to operate, and are supposed to oversee them. They conform to ISO 17011.<\/p>\n

IAF – International Accreditation Forum<\/strong> – this organization is supposed to oversee the ABs’ conformity to ISO 17011, through peer evaluations performed either directly by itself, or by official IAF regional bodies. Where you see “IAF\/XXX” the latter initials represent the IAF regional body responsible for that particular AB.<\/p>\n

The hierarchy of any complaint is to file the matter with the CB first, and then escalate if the response is poor. The escalation must be sent to the AB, then the IAF or its regional body. There is no requirement that prohibits an AB or IAF from taking action on any manner prior to escalation, however. Historically, the ABs and IAF simply ignore the matter until formally notified of escalation, then typically will acknowledge the escalation, and drop the matter (without notice) afterward. When the IAF is notified, is simply never replies at all, and the issue is effectively buried.<\/p>\n

Mind you, this contradicts the IAF’s official Bylaws\u2014made legally binding under its US 501(c)(3) status\u2014and thus any violations of these rules could be seen as business-to-business fraud. The IAF has convinced key governments around the world that its scheme works because<\/strong> <\/em>it follows these rules, but in reality, it does not. In short, the IAF lies to world governments (including the US) by claiming to perform oversight when, as the data shows, it does not.<\/p>\n

Telling government officials you do one thing so you can get money, and then doing something else? Sounds like fraud to me.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, defective products are released to the world’s markets, and people are injured and killed by companies holding ISO certificates that are granted without any effective oversight. The CBs, ABs, and IAF bodies all earn money per certificate, so effectively are paid to look the other way.<\/p>\n

Note: some of the years are not fully accurate since a given issue might span a decade before it gets processed. I just included them here for rough reference.<\/p>\n

When it says something was “ignored<\/em>,” this means it was submitted by Oxebridge to the party, who then either never replied or simply acknowledged receipt of the issue but then dropped it without any notice. Thus, these are still very much open<\/strong> <\/em>issues, despite having been buried by the parties.<\/p>\n

Where it says “Issue Closed (OK)<\/em>“, this means the matter was properly resolved the parties, and Oxebridge accepted the response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/strong><\/td>\nCB<\/strong><\/td>\nAB<\/strong><\/td>\nCountry<\/strong><\/td>\nIssue<\/strong><\/td>\nStatus<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nURS<\/td>\nDAC \/ UKAS<\/td>\nUK \/ Dubai<\/td>\nProposal sent ignoring IAF MD5 audit day requirements<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nACM Ltd.<\/td>\nUKAS<\/td>\nUK \/ Qatar<\/td>\nProposal sent ignoring IAF MD5 audit day requirements<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nACS W3 Solutionz<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nUS \/ Dubai<\/td>\nProposal sent ignoring IAF MD5 audit day requirements<\/td>\nIgnored by IAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2019<\/td>\nAQC Middle East FZE<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nUS \/ Dubai<\/td>\nProposal sent ignoring IAF MD5 audit day requirements<\/td>\nIgnored by IAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2019<\/td>\nQACS<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nQatar<\/td>\nCo-marketing of certification with Al Raeda Consultancy<\/td>\nIgnored by IAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2019<\/td>\nNQA USA<\/td>\nANAB<\/td>\nUSA<\/td>\nNQA rep threatened client for hiring OQR.<\/td>\nImproperly closed by ANAB, ignored by IAF<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nQualityAustria (w\/ IQNet)<\/td>\nAkkreditierung Austria<\/td>\nQatar<\/td>\nCertified consulting firm owned by its regional CB rep, then certified their clients as well<\/td>\nIgnored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nTNV Certification<\/td>\nUAF<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nSent proposal for simultaneous consulting and certification, quoted price before even asking employee count. Falsely claiming JAS-ANZ and DAC accreditation. Approached Oxebridge to form partnerships. Other violations.<\/td>\nIgnored by UAF<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2019<\/td>\nRoyal International Certification (RICL)<\/td>\nUAF, JAS-ANZ<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nSent proposal quoting price without consultation of audit day duration requirements.<\/td>\nIgnored by UAF<\/p>\n

Ignored by JAS-ANZ<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2019<\/td>\nSIS Certification<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nSent proposal for work in Kuwait while offering QMS documentation prep at the same time<\/td>\n\n
\n
Improperly closed by IAS<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nCare Certification<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nIndia, Qatar<\/td>\nCrux Consultancy sent proposal with pricing for Care Certification CB services<\/td>\nIgnored by CB<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2019<\/td>\nRICI<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nResource Inspections Canada Incorporated owned by consultant, conflict of interest<\/td>\n\n
\n
Improperly closed by IAS<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2019<\/td>\nBQC<\/td>\nEYSD<\/td>\nDubai<\/td>\nProposal sent ignoring IAF MD5 audit day requirements<\/td>\n\n
\n
Improperly closed by CB<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Ignored by EYSD<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nSGQC<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nMiddle East<\/td>\nClaimed ISO 22716 accreditation, but not on IAS’ scope of accreditation<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nGrone<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nMultiple complaints filed for improper accreditation, false companies<\/td>\nIgnored by CB<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2020<\/td>\nOtabu<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nMultiple complaints filed for improper accreditation, false companies<\/td>\n\n
\n
Ignored by CB<\/div>\n
\n

Ignored by IAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2020<\/td>\nCentre for Assessment<\/td>\nUKAS<\/td>\nUK<\/td>\n\n
\n
Consultant referral program offers %discounts to consultant clients for certification audits, other benefits<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
Issue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nBSI<\/td>\nANAB<\/td>\nUK<\/td>\nBSI set nonconformity quotas to measure its financial success<\/td>\nIgnored by IAQG<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nQSR<\/td>\nEIAC<\/td>\nQatar<\/td>\nConsultant ATIS quoted simultaneous consulting and certification by QSR, indicated “guaranteed” certification, offered 3 year contract with no surveillace audits, underbid IAF MD5 days.<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nGuardian Independent Certification<\/td>\nUKAS, JAS-ANZ<\/td>\nSingapore, Bahrain<\/td>\nMultiple examples of audit schedules showing insufficient days used. GIC responded by threatening legal action, and defaming Oxebridge, a crime under Singapore law.<\/td>\nIgnored by UKAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by JAS-ANZ<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2020<\/td>\nTVE<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nConsultancy Auspice quoted simultaneous consulting services alongside TVE certification, reported that both were done by same person<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nSzutest<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nTurkey, Romania<\/td>\nRomanian point of contact is consulting firm Netplus<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nTNV Certification<\/td>\nUKAS<\/td>\nMiddle East<\/td>\nTNV fraudulently issued certificates bearing UKAS logo — Complaint filed directly with UKAS<\/td>\nIgnored by UKAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2020<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nA2LA<\/td>\nUSA<\/td>\nA2LA formed A2LA WPT, a consulting firm. Uses shared staff, shared logos, shared websites, and link back and forth to each other.<\/td>\n\n
\n
Improperly closed by A2LA<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Ignored by ILAC<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nSGS<\/td>\nUKAS<\/td>\nUSA<\/td>\nElite Material and Logistics has used same auditor for years; the auditor’s consulting company has Elite’s president as a partner.<\/td>\nIgnored by SGS<\/p>\n

Ignored by UKAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2020<\/td>\nURS<\/td>\nUKAS<\/td>\nRussia<\/td>\nURS issued ISO 9001 cert to Russian Register, the Russian certification body<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nControl Union<\/td>\nRvA<\/td>\nVarious<\/td>\nRvA suspended accreditation, but CB continues to market services anyway<\/td>\n\n
\n
Ignored by RvA<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nACS W3 Solutionz<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nIndia, Various<\/td>\nThe email and website claim IAS accreditation for AS9100, which is not true. They also claim other accreditations, which appear false. They also claim accreditation by various fake bodies.<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2020<\/td>\nTurcert Eurolab<\/td>\nUAF<\/td>\nTurkey<\/td>\nPPE whistleblower reported lab test reports on gloves were bad. Eurocert claims ISO 17025 accreditation, but UAF lists them as ISO 17020. Test reports did not include batch ID, and did not comply with referenced ASTM and EN standards. APAC refused to take action.<\/td>\nIgnored by UAF<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2021<\/td>\nControl Union<\/td>\nSLAB<\/td>\nIsrael, Sri Lanka<\/td>\nISO 14001 cert was for scope for which CU is not accredited<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>\nTUV NORD Middle East<\/td>\nEIAC<\/td>\nUAE<\/td>\nTUV Middle East operates consulting firm under same name and by same people. TUV NORD certifies own consulting clients.<\/td>\n\n
\n
Improperly closed by DAkkS<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>\nBQC<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nIndia, UAE<\/td>\nMultiple minor issues: cert issued in UAE but accreditation only lists India, possible wrong scope, AB shopping, wrong logo on certs.<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>\nSGQC<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nUAE<\/td>\nWife owns CB, certifies consulting clients of husband’s consulting firm.<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>\nMultiple<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nMultiple<\/td>\nIAS Board member selling ISO 17011 template kits; originally filed informally in late 2020, they ignored it; escalated to IAF complaint in August 2021 since so many continents are involved; still ignored.<\/td>\nIgnored by IAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2021<\/td>\nEurolab \/ Turcert<\/td>\nUAF<\/td>\nTurkey<\/td>\nIssued test cert for gloves in Malaysia, not for test in their scope of accreditation. UAF claimed test was valid anyway. Complaint filed against UAF, not TurCert.<\/td>\nIgnored by UAF<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2021<\/td>\nIntertek<\/td>\nSWEDAC, SCC, others<\/td>\nVarious<\/td>\nIntertek formed partnership with consultant Globizz for medical device certifications under ISO 13485 and MDSAP program, certifying clients of partner organization.<\/td>\n\n
\n
Improperly closed by CB<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Ignored by SCC<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2021<\/td>\nAB Certifications<\/td>\nCOFRAC<\/td>\nIndia<\/td>\nIndian branch of Cotecna holds ISO 9001 from AB Certifications, but also ISO 17021-1 accreditation from NABCB<\/td>\n\n
\n
Improperly closed by COFRAC<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2022<\/td>\nHusk Registrars LLC<\/td>\nIAS<\/td>\nUSA<\/td>\nHusk is owned by John Senter, who also owns consulting company. Certified own consulting clients<\/td>\nIgnored by IAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2022<\/td>\nEIK<\/td>\nRvA<\/td>\nNetherlands<\/td>\nEIK Certifications runs EIK Consultancy<\/td>\n\n
\n
Improperly closed by CB.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by RvA.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nSIS Certifications \/ Future Builders<\/td>\nIAS and ONAC<\/td>\nUSA and Colombia<\/td>\nDiscovered during the processing of SIS complaint above that it uses Future Builders in Colombia as its Peru partner, but Peru is not listed on the IAS Scope of accreditation.<\/td>\n\n
\n
Ignored by IAS<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Refused by ONAC<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/APAC<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nQSCert<\/td>\nSNAS<\/td>\nSlovakia<\/td>\nCB operates offices in 35 additional countries not included on SNAS scope of accreditation, but claims SNAS\/IAF for each of those offices.<\/td>\nIgnored by SNAS<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2022<\/td>\nControl Union<\/td>\nRvA<\/td>\nIsreal<\/td>\nMore evidence of Control Union issuing certificates outside of the scope of accreditation<\/td>\n\n
\n
Ignored by RvA<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nControl Union<\/td>\nRvA<\/td>\nIsreal<\/td>\nControl Union issued one ISO 9001 cert with accreditation, another without accreditation, both appear to be for the same IAF code<\/td>\n\n
\n
Ignored by RvA<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nIntertek<\/td>\nVarious<\/td>\nVarious<\/td>\nIntertek still unable to perform audits as scheduled; this has existed since at least 2017<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nURS<\/td>\nUKAS<\/td>\nQatar<\/td>\nVibrant Consultancy found quoting consulting alongside URS certification services. UKAS then ruled there was no problem, so this was filed directly with UKAS, not with Vibrant. The Vibrant issue happened in 2019, whereas UKAS disregarded it in 2023.<\/td>\nImproperly closed by UKAS; all follow-ups ignored.<\/p>\n

Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

2023<\/td>\nURS<\/td>\nUKAS<\/td>\nCzech Rep<\/td>\nURS issued unaccredited ISO 50001 cert despite this being in their scope of accreditation<\/td>\n\n
\n
Ignored by CB<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by UKAS<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\nURS<\/td>\nUKAS<\/td>\nRussia<\/td>\nURS issued multiple ISO certs to SB Group in Russia, in violation of UK sanctions<\/td>\n\n
\n
Ignored by CB<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Ignored by UKAS<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Ignored by IAF\/EA<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/td>\nTUV SUD<\/td>\nANAB<\/td>\nUSA<\/td>\nWebsite marketed consulting and certification as one package<\/td>\nIssue closed (OK)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nANAB<\/td>\nUSA<\/td>\nANAB caught doing webinars promoting Ideagen \/ QualTrax<\/td>\nPENDING<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/td>\nIAPMO SCB<\/td>\nANAB<\/td>\nUSA<\/td>\nProShop webinar: two SCB clients accidentally revealed SCB violated rules on audit minimum days for AS9100, scheduling stage 1 and 2 back to back, and allowed SCB auditor to shoot video promoting ProShop while in his uniform<\/td>\nPENDING<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2024<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nUAF<\/td>\nUSA \/ India<\/td>\nUAF claims to be US not-for-profit, never filed required tax forms, does not actually have tas exempt status<\/td>\nPENDING<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Data from 2019 to present showing how complaints are dropped without action by ISO certification bodies and their IAF member accreditation bodies.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":30301,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","mc4wp_mailchimp_campaign":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[71,61,1919,15,23,1894,51,361,614,83,76,486,303,43,181,304,14,748,2505,165],"class_list":["post-30294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion","tag-a2la","tag-accreditation-bodies","tag-apac","tag-as9100","tag-certification-bodies","tag-cofrac","tag-complaints","tag-ea","tag-iaac","tag-iaf","tag-iaqg","tag-ias","tag-international-accreditation-forum","tag-iso","tag-iso-17011","tag-iso-17021-1","tag-iso-9001","tag-scc","tag-uaf","tag-ukas","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30294"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30302,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30294\/revisions\/30302"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oxebridge.com\/emma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}