Orion was incorporated in 2007 as a private company.
The two founding partners were involved in the auditing industry for over twenty years prior to starting Orion. Given poor service standards in the industry and numerous clients requesting an alternative, more customer friendly experience, the partners decided to form Orion as a private, client focused business
The majority of Orion’s clients are North American based; however, we do service and have auditors available globally. Depending on the standard, Orion can offer remote audits resulting with no travel related expenditures.
An overview of our process is posted at https://www.orioncan.com/en/orion-approach/
The best way to prepare for an audit is to ensure you have conducted your internal audit. Refer to Orion’s guidance on preparing for an audit.
Although certified companies do not necessarily need to promote or publicize their certification, if they do, it must be done correctly and in compliance with Orion’s, the accreditation body (AB) and the standards scheme holder requirements. If you are unsure, don’t hesitate to contact the Orion team for clarification.
The Orion logo or any AB or scheme holders logo may only be used after certification or accreditation has been granted by Orion. When the client is certified by Orion, it shall have the right to use the certificate and the relevant accreditation logo and scheme holder logo per this policy.
Logo Usage
For Languages Canada accredited programs, please refer to Languages Canada for requirements.
Certified companies may only use the logos provided by Orion.
You may use Orion’s logo on its own, but if you also decide to display the AB logo, both logos must be the same size and beside each other. The logo for the AB may not be used on its own.
Alterations to the logos are not allowed. Images must be clear and at a size that ensures the symbols are distinguishable. The images may be scaled, but the relative with and height may not be altered.
Complete / Accurate and Not Misleading
The certified company may not use the Orion, AB or scheme holder logo in any way that brings Orion into disrepute and shall not make any statement regarding their certification that Orion may consider as inaccurate, misleading, or unauthorized.
For example, suppose one portion of your business is certified to ISO 9001. In that case, you may refrain from making general statements in your promotional materials, giving the impression that the entire organization is certified. Remember that the scope of your certification is defined on your certificate and includes the legal name, location or address where the product or service operates standard and a scope statement.
If the company is certified to one or more standards not through Orion, the Orion, AB or scheme holders logos cannot mislead or infer these other standards are certified or affiliated with Orion.
Packaging Material / Business Cards / Letterhead / Advertising Material etc.
For Management System Certifications, the logos may not be used on the product or give any impression that it is certified. For example, if the logo is used on boxes, it must indicate that it was produced at a certified facility.
Suspension, Withdrawl or Termination of Certification
Upon suspension, withdrawl or termination of certification, the certified company must immediately refrain from using the Orion logo, AB or any scheme holder’s logos. In addition, your certificate must be removed from your website or any promotional activities. If you do not remove your certification status, Orion may publish a notice on its website that you are making false certification claims. In addition, Orion may take legal action as necessary.
Change of Ownership or Name change
The certified organization is not authorized to transfer the right to use the logos to or by any other body regardless of the relationship. Any such requests must be submitted to and approved by Orion.
Orion auditors will review your marketing and promotional efforts during each audit to ensure your activities comply.
The Orion team is committed to helping you with your certification needs. In some cases, Orion may be forced to suspend or withdrawal you certification status. This would typically be due to a failure to comply with the conditions specified in the Certification Application. Examples may include:
To maintain our impartiality in our audit activities, Orion Assessment Services does not provide consulting services. We do, however, retain a list of consultants where other clients have reported positive experiences. Note that we do not receive any compensation for referrals and remain at arm’s length from the consultants.
Orion Assessment Services is bound by our various corporate polices. These policies govern out commitment to ensuring your information is safe and secure.
The fees for certification are typically based on the number of staff under the scope of certification. This starting point for time is typically taken from various standards for accreditation then justified up or down based on various risk and other factors. Orion works with you to best the best price for our services. Unlike our competitors, we do not mark up or change administration fees for any travel related expenses, administrative or project management fees.
If you have an issue, you may submit an Dispute Resolution Request.
Orion takes appeals, disputes and complaint very series.
All issues must be submitted through Orion’s Dispute Resolution Request from. All issues will be reviewed by the President and Management Team for processing and resolution. If the issue is time sensitive, Orion will make every effort to expedite the request.
NCR Appeal
If an Appeal related for an NCR, the President, or designee, and Certifier will review the evidence presented by the client. Additional input may requested from the Auditor, as needed.
Agree with Appeal?
If the Certifier, the President and the client agree that the NCR is not correct, the appeal can be addressed by expediting the appeal process to withdraw the NCR and close the appeal. The client will be notified in writing of the decision.
Do not Agree with Appeal?
The client would be notified of the decision and reason for the decision. If the client does not agree with the decision, they may request that the issue be sent to an Appeals Committee for further review. The Appeals Committee will inform the client in writing of the decision. If the client still does not agree with the decision, they may take if to the appropriate accreditation body.
Complaint
The President shall determine whether the complaint relates to certification activities for which ORION is responsible, and if so, if the complaint is valid. If the President determines that the complaint is not valid, the President will contact the party that identified the possible complaint and submit correspondence to the party stating that the complaint has been rejected and the cause for the rejection.
If the complaint is valid, Orion will investigate the complaint, determine the root cause and take the actions necessary to address the issue. The client will be notified when the resolution is complete.
Full details for Complaints for complaints are defined in Orion’s AP 01 Administrate Management.
Orion recommends that you book your audit at least two months in advance. The gives you time to prepare. After the audit or closure of any issues, Orion typically review the report and issue a certificate with 5 business days.
All certificates to ISO 27001:2013 must expire no later than October 31, 2025. After April 30, 2024, all audits must be done to the 2022 version of the standard.
The standard has not been fully revised. Key changes include:
For the purpose of upgrading, clients will need to remap their Statement of Applicability and demonstrate the new and changes control requirements have been identified and implemented.