{"id":17701,"date":"2023-03-02T00:58:39","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T05:58:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orioncan.com\/?page_id=17701"},"modified":"2025-11-12T00:50:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T05:50:03","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.orioncan.com\/en\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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About Orion<\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow long has Orion been in business?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Orion was incorporated in 2007 as a private company.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The two founding partners were involved in the auditing industry for over twenty years prior to starting Orion.\u00a0 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<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat geographical areas does Orion serve?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The majority of Orion\u2019s 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.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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To maintain our impartiality in our audit activities, Orion Assessment Services does not provide consulting services.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

There are some audit firms that offer consulting services but, in our opinion, you should avoid them because customers may question the creditability of your certification and whether or not your audit was conducted at “arms length”.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow does Orion ensure our information is secure and private?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Orion Assessment Services is bound by our various\u00a0corporate polices<\/a>.\u00a0 These policies govern out commitment to ensuring your information is safe and secure.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow are audit fees determined?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The starting for determining fees is typically based on the number of staff under the scope of certification.\u00a0 \u00a0Each standard has an audit time look up table based on the employee count. From here, various factors are reviewed to determine if the audit time can be justified down or up. The audit days are then multiplied by the day rate to give the audit fees.\u00a0<\/p>

When reviewing fees, you need to review the overall “all in cost”.\u00a0 Many of Orion competitors show a low day rate but add other items such as project management fees, certificate fees, administration fees, annual fees etc.\u00a0<\/p>

If travel expenses are applicable, unlike our competitors, we do not mark up travel related expenses.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoes Orion have a dispute resolution mechanism for complaints or appeals?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

If you have an issue, you may submit an Dispute Resolution Request.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>

Orion takes appeals, disputes and complaints very serious.\u00a0 \u00a0
All issues must be submitted through Orion\u2019s Dispute Resolution Request form.\u00a0 All issues will be reviewed by the\u00a0 President,\u00a0or designee, and Management Team for processing and resolution.\u00a0 If the issue is time sensitive, Orion will make every effort to expedite the request.<\/span><\/p>

NCR Appeal<\/u><\/p>

If an Appeal related for an NCR, the President, or designee, and Certifier will review the evidence presented by the client.\u00a0 \u00a0Additional input may requested from the Auditor, as needed.<\/p>

Agree with Appeal?<\/em><\/p>

If the Certifier, the President, or designee, 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.\u00a0 The client will be notified in writing of the decision.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Do not Agree with Appeal?<\/em><\/p>

The client would be notified of the decision and reason for the decision.\u00a0 If the client does not agree with the decision, they may request that the issue be sent to an Appeals Committee for further review.\u00a0 \u00a0The Appeals Committee will inform the client in writing of the decision.\u00a0 If the client still does not agree with the decision, they may take if to the appropriate accreditation body.<\/p>

Complaint<\/u><\/p>

The President shall determine whether the complaint relates to certification activities for which ORION is responsible, and if so, if the complaint is valid.\u00a0 If the President determines that the complaint is not valid, the President will contact the party that identified the possible complaint and inform them the complaint has been rejected and the reason.<\/p>

If the complaint is valid, Orion will investigate the complaint, determine the root cause and take the actions necessary to address the issue.\u00a0 Orion will make every effort to notify the person that filed the complaint of the outcome.\u00a0 In some cases, they may not be possible due to confidentiality requirements.<\/p>

Full details for handling complaints are defined in Orion\u2019s AP 01 Administrate Management procedure.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Certification <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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An overview of our process is posted at\u00a0https:\/\/www.orioncan.com\/en\/orion-approach\/<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Transferring your certification to Orion is a straightforward procedure, and we possess ample experience in facilitating such transitions. Many clients opt for this move due to dissatisfaction with their current auditors or the quality of service they receive.<\/p>

To begin the quotation process, Orion will request a copy of your existing certificate to assess several factors including:<\/p>

  1. If the certificate being pursued is for an Orion accredited standard, the current certificate must display an IAF Signatory Accreditation Body logo (if accreditation is desired for a particular standard). Otherwise, the company will need to undergo a new Stage 1 and Stage 2 process.\u00a0<\/li>
  2. The phase of your certification cycle (e.g., Surveillance\/Recertification).<\/li>
  3. Completion status of your calendar year audit.<\/li><\/ol>

    Upon acceptance of the quote, Orion will initiate a transfer review. For this review, we will require your last Stage 2 or Recertification audit report along with any subsequent audit reports. During the review, Orion will ensure closure of any Major nonconformances and acceptance of the corrective action plan for any minor nonconformances. If necessary, the Orion team may review and either accept or close any nonconformances. Subsequently, a new certificate will be issued, mirroring the details of your current one with your existing provider. In such a scenario, an Orion auditor will seamlessly integrate into your current audit cycle to conduct your next audit.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    The best way to prepare for an audit is to ensure you have conducted your internal audit.\u00a0 Refer to Orion\u2019s guidance on\u00a0preparing for an audit<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    Orion has provided guidance under “Promoting your Certification”.<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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    The Orion team is committed to helping you with your certification needs.\u00a0 In some cases, Orion may be forced to suspend or withdrawal you certification status.\u00a0 This would typically be due to a failure to comply with the conditions specified in the Certification Application.\u00a0 Examples may include:<\/p>