Public statement

EUROQUALITY SYSTEM (EQS) is a third-party certification body.

As such, we recognize the importance of impartiality in the performance of our management system certification activities. The proper management of conflicts of interest and the objectivity of our certification decisions are ensured through the implementation of specific provisions.

A committee representing all stakeholders has been created to preserve the impartiality of our certification system. This committee is called upon to participate in the development of EQS policies in terms of integrity and to counterbalance any tendency to allow commercial considerations or other threats (personal interests, self-assessment, familiarity, intimidation) that could hinder the objective and reliable provision of certification services. In addition, this committee meets at least once a year to verify EQS's commitment to the impartiality of our certification processes, including decision-making.

Legal and financial independence

EQS is legally independent from related organizations. EQS has sufficient equity capital to operate with complete financial independence. Furthermore, its operational activity is sufficient to ensure its financial stability.

 

Impartiality & Independence of EQS Auditors

In order to avoid any risk of conflicts of interest, EQS provides its auditors with assignment orders that include the identity of the applicant organization. By accepting these assignments, auditors certify that they have not advised or trained this organization in the area of certification in question during the two years following the end of the service. Furthermore, an auditor belonging to the same legal entity as a client organization may not be involved in the certification activity of the latter.

 

Impartiality & Independence of EQS Staff

Each EQS employee is personally committed to acting objectively and to being free from any commercial, financial, or other pressures that could compromise their impartiality. Furthermore, EQS employees undertake to report any situation that could create a conflict of interest.

 

Impartiality & Independence of EQS certification systems

In accordance with applicable regulatory provisions, EQS undertakes:

• not to offer or provide management system consulting services. Furthermore, EQS refrains from any practice that might suggest that certification will be easier, cheaper, or faster if preceded by such consulting services provided by a related entity (organization or person).
• not to offer or provide internal audit services to clients certified by EQS. Furthermore, EQS refrains from certifying a management system for which it has performed internal audits for a period of two years following the end of the service
  from providing certification services when a relationship could compromise impartiality in an unacceptable manner,
• not to offer certification services to another certification body,
• not to subcontract its audits to a management system consulting organization,
• and not to present EQS's certification activities as being related to the activities of a consulting or training organization.