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Suspension of Certification

Certification Suspension: When and Why It Happens

The client’s certification shall be suspended for a limited period no longer than 6 months if following conditions exists:

  • The client’s certified management system has persistently or seriously failed to meet certification requirements, including the requirements for the effectiveness of the management system.
  • The certified client does not allow surveillance or recertification audits to be conducted at the required frequencies.
  • The certified client does not address Nonconformity Report requirements
  • The certified client has voluntarily requested a suspension.
  • A client initiated voluntarily requested suspension
  • The client has not paid for Orion services.
  • Excessive nonconformities.
  • Resources have been lowered beyond the ability to sustain the management
  • Inability of the client’s management system to achieve its intended outputs.
  • Serious or persistent lack of operational control.
  • Serious or persistent lack of management commitment.
  • Evidence that the corrective action system has broken down.
  • Intentionally misleading others regarding certification status, certification documents, marks or audit reports.
  • Other evidence showing that the certified management system persistently or seriously failed to meet certification requirements, including requirements for the effectiveness of the management system.
  • At the request of a standard-specific governing body.

What Happens After Suspension?

The certification may not be suspended for more than six months. Orion will send you a suspension notification listing the suspension requirements which will include:

  • Immediately removing all references to your certification from websites, marketing materials, and databases indicating that you are certified and ensuring you are not making any misleading claims about your certification
  • Refraining from using Orion marks or logos
  • Ensure you certification status is properly communicated to all stakeholders and interested parties. (e.g. customers that require you to have you certification in good standing)
  • Ensure you are not making any misleading claims about their certification

At this point, Orion will update any relevant public databases (e.g. IAF) and inform any relevant parties that your status is suspended and no longer in good standing.

Appeals and Complaints

If you have questions, concerns, or wish to file a complaint or appeal regarding a suspension decision, you may:

  • Reach out to the Orion office for guidance or to initiate an appeal.
  • Contact the relevant Accreditation Body for further review or to escalate your appeal.

Regaining Certification Status

Suspension must be lifted within six months. If required actions are not addressed within this timeframe, certification status will be withdrawn.

To regain your status, you must respond to a nonconformance issued by Orion with a corrective action effectiveness review. If suspension was due to a missed audit, the audit must be conducted to confirm system effectiveness.

If the actions taken are effective, Orion will reinstate your certificate status, make it active, and issue a letter indicating your certificate is in good standing. Note that any suspension does not change your audit cycle dates.

Certification Withdrawal: When and Why It Happens

Orion may withdraw a client’s certification and cancel related agreements under several circumstances. These may include:

  • Failure to Meet Requirements: If a client does not fulfill the requirements outlined in the Application for Certification or Terms and Conditions—including financial obligations, audit responses, or compliance with standards—certification may be withdrawn.
  • Improper Promotion: If the client violates rules for properly promoting their certification, such as misusing Orion marks or accreditation logos, withdrawal may occur.
  • Major Nonconformities: If a surveillance audit or other review identifies major nonconformities and the client does not respond or resolve them within the allotted time, Orion may initiate withdrawal.
  • Changes in Standards: If the applicable standard changes and the client cannot or will not ensure conformance to the new requirements, certification may be withdrawn.
  • Extended Inactivity: If the client ceases to supply the certified product, process, or service for an extended period, Orion may withdraw certification.
  • Fraudulent or Unlawful Actions: Any fraudulent or unlawful actions related to the management system can result in immediate withdrawal.
  • Client Request: Certification may also be withdrawn at the client’s request.
  • Other Grounds: Withdrawal may occur on any other grounds specifically provided for under system rules or formally agreed upon between Orion and the client.

What Happens After Withdrawal?

Once certification is withdrawn, you will be sent a notice to you detailing the next steps which include:

  • Immediately removing all references to your certification from websites, marketing materials, and databases indicating that you are certified and ensuring you are not making any misleading claims about your certification
  • Refraining from using Orion marks or logos
  • Ensure you certification status is properly communicated to all stakeholders and interested parties. (e.g. customers that require you to have you certification in good standing)
  • Ensure you are not making any misleading claims about their certification

Appeals and Complaints

If you have questions, concerns, or wish to file a complaint or appeal regarding a suspension decision, you may:

  • Reach out to the Orion office for guidance or to initiate an appeal.
  • Contact the relevant Accreditation Body for further review or to escalate your appeal.

Regaining Certification

If you wish to pursue certification again after a withdrawal you must restart the process from the beginning, including submitting a new application, undergoing all required audits, and meeting all current certification requirements. Given the nature of the withdrawal, Orion may accept or reject the new request for certification.