QuestionsQuestions (DTI DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 3)
DAO 3 establishes the policies and rules for implementing third-party quality system certification to the PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards and its amendments.
The main agency is the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) under the Department of Trade and Industry: it functions as (1) certifying body, (2) registration body for assessors, and (3) accreditation body.
It refers to a set of guidelines for developing a documented quality system, covering organizational structure, responsibilities, procedures, and resources needed to implement quality management.
Quality assessment/audit is a systematic and independent examination to check compliance with planned arrangements and effectiveness in achieving objectives. Quality surveillance is continuing monitoring and verification of procedures, methods, conditions, processes, products/services, and analysis of records relative to stated references to ensure specified quality requirements are met.
An assessor is qualified and authorized to perform portions of quality system assessments and registered with BPS. A lead assessor is an assessor qualified and authorized to manage the assessment and registered with BPS. A provisional assessor meets registration requirements except assessment experience and is registered with BPS; these distinctions affect eligibility and assignment in assessments.
A specialist acts as a technical consultant to the team leader due to relevant academic and work experience; they are not involved in assessment work and are neither a lead assessor, assessor, nor provisional assessor.
Certification is a procedure by which a third party gives written assurance that a quality system conforms to PNS 1000/ISO 9000. The Certificate of Approval is issued by BPS declaring conformity and includes authority to use the Quality System Certification Mark.
The Mark is a symbol signifying that its user has been granted a Certificate of Approval. Any company whose quality system has been assessed and found in accordance with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 and thereafter issued a Certificate is entitled to use it.
Among others: formulate/adopt standards for certification; provide information and promote adoption; require submission of documents; appoint/subcontract registered assessors and specialists; conduct quality assessments/audits; grant certificates upon conformity; specify rules on design/use of the Mark; conduct surveillance; suspend/cancel for cause; ensure confidentiality; maintain/publish registry; and negotiate recognition abroad consistent with laws and international agreements.
Certification fees include: Application Form (P300 non-refundable), Quality Manual evaluation per man-hour (P500), preassessment/assessment/surveillance audits per man-hour (P500), and Certificate upon issuance (P8,000). Additional charges include actual transportation expenses, hotel accommodations, and per diem, charged to the applicant company.
It takes effect from the date of issue and is in force for three (3) years, unless sooner suspended or cancelled for cause.
Cancellation grounds include: (1) wilful misrepresentation by the company of a material fact in obtaining the Certificate, and (2) failure of the company to maintain its quality system in accordance with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards.
Suspension grounds include: misrepresentation through negligence of a material fact; unjustified refusal to permit BPS assessors access for surveillance; using the Certificate for any scope or site not specified; violation of non-transferability; failure to observe BPS guidelines on use of the Mark in advertisements/promotions/stationery; and failure to pay required fees. Suspension period ranges from one (1) month to one (1) year depending on the gravity of the offense.
On the third commission of the same offense, the Certificate may be cancelled and not merely suspended.
For denial, a request for reconsideration may be filed with the Director within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the BPS letter of denial. For suspension/cancellation procedure as well as appeal, the DAO states that the procedure shall be as provided in Book VII of the Administrative Code of 1987.
The certified company must: permit BPS assessors access within working hours; pay all required fees; observe BPS guidelines on use of the Mark in advertisements/promotions/stationery; maintain its quality system at all times consistent with PNS 1000/ISO 9000; and the Certificate remains non-transferable and valid only for specific scope/site.
The Certificate is non-transferable and valid only for specific scope(s) and a specific company site; using it outside those parameters is a ground for suspension.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.