Title
Policies on Certification to PNS 1000/ISO 9000
Law
Dti Department Administrative Order No. 3
Decision Date
Apr 30, 1992
The DTI Department Administrative Order No. 3 establishes policies and rules for third-party certification of quality management systems in accordance with Philippine National Standards (PNS) 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards, promoting confidence in the quality of goods and services produced in the country.
certification
quality management
administrative order

Legal basis and related standards

  • The Order is issued pursuant to the laws mentioned in the clause before the “NOW THEREFORE” portion.
  • The Order recognizes the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) as the Philippine National Standards Body under RA 4109, as amended.
  • The Order references Section 10 (4), Title X, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987.
  • The Order adopts a certification framework aligned with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards and links related standards:
    • PNS 1100/ISO 10011 for auditing and qualification of auditors and management of audit programs.
    • PNS 1500/EN 45000 Series Standards for testing laboratory operation and accreditation and for operation of certification bodies.

Policy, purpose, and certification rationale

  • The Order implements third party quality system certification to PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards.
  • The Order promotes wide adoption in the Philippines of PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards.
  • Third party certification by the BPS is intended to develop confidence in total quality management systems of Philippine producers of goods and service.
  • The Order provides for certification, surveillance, and enforcement mechanisms for certified companies.

Core definitions and terminology

  • BPS means the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry.
  • Director means the Director of BPS.
  • PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards are guidelines for developing a documented quality system, including organizational structure, responsibilities, procedures, and resources.
  • PNS 1100/ISO 10011 are guidelines for auditing and for auditing program management and auditor qualification.
  • PNS 1500/EN 45000 Series Standards are guidelines for operation and assessment of a testing laboratory, laboratory accreditation, and certification body operation.
  • Quality is the totality of features and characteristics of a product or service bearing on its ability to satisfy customer needs stated or implied.
  • Quality Management is the aspect of overall management that determines and implements the quality policy.
  • Quality System is the organizational structure, responsibilities, procedures, processes, and resources for implementing quality management.
  • Quality Assessment/Audit is a systematic and independent examination to determine compliance with planned arrangements and whether arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve objectives.
  • Quality Surveillance is continuing monitoring and verification of procedures, methods, conditions, processes, products and services, and analysis of records in relation to stated references to ensure specified quality requirements are being met.
  • Assessor is a qualified and authorized person performing all or any portion of a quality system assessment and registered with BPS.
  • Lead Assessor is an Assessor qualified and authorized to manage a quality system assessment and registered with BPS.
  • Provisional Assessor is a person meeting registration requirements except assessment experience and registered with BPS.
  • Specialist is a technical consultant acting as a support to the Team Leader during an assessment; the Specialist is not involved in assessment work and is neither a Lead Assessor, Assessor, nor Provisional Assessor.
  • Certification is a procedure by which a third party provides written assurance that a quality system conforms to PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards.
  • Certified Company is a company whose quality system has been assessed and granted a Certificate of Approval after being found in accordance with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards requirements.
  • Certificate of Approval (Certificate) is a document issued by BPS declaring the company’s quality system has been assessed as in accordance with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards and other certificate terms and conditions, and granting authority to use the Quality System Certification Mark.
  • Quality System Certification Mark (Mark) is a symbol signifying its user has been granted a Certificate of Approval.
  • Accreditation is the BPS procedure giving formal recognition to a body or person competent to conduct quality assessment/audit.
  • Registration is the BPS procedure indicating relevant qualifications of a company or person in a publicly available list.

Coverage, scope, and who may use

  • The Order establishes policies and rules for implementing third party quality system certification to PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards and its amendments.
  • BPS serves as the central authority to certify companies, register assessors, and accredit certifying bodies under related standards and BPS rules.
  • Any company qualifies to use the Mark only after its quality system has been assessed and found to meet PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards requirements and after the company is thereafter issued a Certificate of Approval.
  • The Certificate of Approval is valid only for specific scope(s) and for a specific company site.
  • The Certificate of Approval is non-transferable.

BPS functions, powers, and responsibilities

  • BPS must formulate standards or adopt relevant foreign or international standards for:
    • certification of company quality systems,
    • accreditation of certifying bodies, and
    • registration of assessors.
  • As Certifying Body, BPS must:
    • provide information on BPS quality system certification services and matters related to the Order,
    • promote wide adoption of PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards through publications, seminars, and trainings,
    • require submission by companies of all pertinent documents to validate information in their application,
    • appoint or subcontract registered lead assessors, assessors, or provisional assessors to conduct quality assessments/audits, and appoint or subcontract specialists as consultants,
    • conduct quality assessment/audit of companies applying for PNS 1000/ISO 9000 certification,
    • grant a company the Certificate once the quality system is found in accordance with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards and other certificate terms and conditions,
    • specify the rules governing the design and use of the Mark,
    • conduct quality surveillance of certified companies at specified periods,
    • suspend or cancel certificates for cause,
    • ensure confidentiality of information received and gathered during assessments/audits,
    • maintain and publish a registry of certified companies, and
    • negotiate, consistent with Philippine laws and international agreements, for recognition of the Philippine Quality System Certification Scheme by foreign/international certifying or accrediting bodies.
  • As Registration Body for Assessors, BPS must:
    • provide information on registration requirements,
    • evaluate applicants in accordance with PNS 1100/ISO 10011,
    • create a pool of registered assessors, lead assessors, and provisional assessors, and specialists to serve as consultants to assessment teams, and
    • maintain and publish a registry of assessors.
  • As Accreditation Body, BPS must:
    • accredit certifying bodies qualified under PNS 1500/EN 45000 Series Standards and related BPS rules, and
    • maintain and publish a registry of accredited certifying bodies.

Fees and charges for certification

  • BPS collects the following Certification Fees:
    • Application Form: PHP 300.00, non-refundable, payable upon issuance,
    • Quality Manual evaluation per man-hour: PHP 500.00, payable within fifteen (15) days after billing,
    • Preassessment/Assessment/Surveillance audits per man-hour: PHP 500.00, payable within fifteen (15) days after billing,
    • Certificate: PHP 8,000.00, payable upon issuance of the Certificate,
    • Actual transportation expenses (e.g., plane fare, bus fare), hotel accommodations, and per diem are charged to applicant companies.
  • BPS collects Registration and Annual Fees for Assessors as follows:
    • Lead Assessor: Registration PHP 1,000.00; Annual PHP 500.00
    • Assessor: Registration PHP 800.00; Annual PHP 400.00
    • Provisional Assessor: Registration PHP 600.00; Annual PHP 300.00
    • Specialist: Registration PHP 500.00; Annual PHP 250.00
  • A certifying body qualified under PNS 1500/EN 45000 Series Standards and related BPS rules must pay an Accreditation Fee of PHP 10,000.00.
  • The BPS charges annual dues to accredited certifying bodies amounting to one percent (1%) of their annual gross income from certification.

Application, approval, reconsideration

  • Applications for renewal of a Certificate must be made on official BPS application forms.
  • An applicant must make available to the Director and/or the duly designated assessment/audit team all pertinent data and relevant documents for:
    • the application for certification, and
    • quality surveillance.
  • The BPS approves and issues the corresponding Certificate when the applicant’s quality system is found in accordance with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards and other BPS rules.
  • If the application is denied, the applicant may file a request for reconsideration with the Director within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the BPS letter of denial.

Suspension, cancellation, and certificate conditions

  • The Director cancels a Certificate of Approval on any of these grounds:
    • wilful misrepresentation by the company of a material fact in obtaining the Certificate, or
    • failure of the company to maintain its quality system in accordance with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards.
  • The Director suspends a Certificate of Approval on any of these grounds:
    • misrepresentation by the company through negligence of a material fact in obtaining the license,
    • unjustified refusal of the company to permit BPS assessors access to company premises, facilities, production area, records, and personnel as necessary for quality surveillance within working hours,
    • using the Certificate for any scope or company site not specified in the Certificate,
    • violation of the non-transferability condition,
    • failure to observe BPS guidelines on use of the Mark in advertisements, promotions, and stationeries, or
    • failure to pay fees required by the Order.
  • The suspension period ranges from one (1) month to one (1~ year) depending on the gravity of the offense, and on the commission of the same offense for the third time, the Certificate may be cancelled and not merely suspended.
  • The procedure for suspension/cancellation and appeal is governed by Book VII of the Administrative Code of 1987.
  • The certified company must:
    • permit BPS assessors access to premises, facilities, production area, records, and personnel as necessary for quality surveillance within working hours,
    • pay all required fees,
    • observe BPS guidelines on using the Mark in advertisements, promotions, and stationeries,
    • maintain at all times its quality system in accordance with PNS 1000/ISO 9000 Series Standards.
  • The Certificate takes effect on the date of issue and remains in force for three (3) years, unless sooner suspended or cancelled for cause.

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