Certification of management systems

Metrosert > Services > Certification > Certification of management systems

Metrosert is a recognised certifier of management systems in Estonia. Metrosert certifies:

  • Quality management systems (ISO 9001)
  • Environmental management systems (14001)
  • Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSAS 18001/ISO 45001)
  • Food safety management systems (ISO 22000)

A certificate issued by Metrosert certifies that the company has implemented and maintains an effective quality, environment, food safety, or occupational health and safety management system. A certificate is issued for 3 years.

A list of organisations certified by Metrosert

Basic documents of certification

  • Standard ISO/IEC 17021-1
  • Standard ISO/TS 22003
  • The guidelines of the cooperation organisations of accreditation institutions – the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA).

Stages of certification

Offer request

The volume of work related to certification is calculated in auditor days based on the number of people working at the company, the number of sites and the complexity of the area. A certification offer is made on the basis of an offer request. A certification agreement is concluded with the organisation that has agreed to the offer.

Management system certification offer request

Certification audit

A certification audit for verifying the conformity with standards is conducted by a competent team. A certification audit consists of two stages. In the course of the 1st stage of the audit, the sufficiency of documentation, internal audits and management oversight are assessed, and any possible ambiguities are resolved. Descriptions of the irregularities identified in the 1st stage of the audit are presented to the customer.

The 2nd stage of the certification audit is conducted no later than 3 months after the 1st stage. The aim of the 2nd stage of the certification audit is to assess the implementation of the management system of the organisation. During the audit, the organisation’s permanent and temporary sites are visited. The findings recorded in the course of the audit are analysed in conjunction with the organisation. This process determines the impact of the findings on the efficiency of the organisation’s activities. The result of the certification audit is presented to the organisation as a written report. The organisation then has up to 3 months to rectify the irregularities.

If the organisation fails to rectify the irregularities within 3 months from the certification audit, the certification process is discontinued and certification is refused. The customer is informed of the decision not to grant certification in writing, together with the reasons for the decision. If the customer wishes to continue the certification process, a new assessment process will commence.

Issuing certificates

A certificate is issued upon rectifying the irregularities found in the course of the certification audit. A certificate is valid for three years. During the validity of a certificate, the conformity of the organisation with the requirements is checked in regular supervisory audits.

Supervisory audits

Supervisory audits held during the validity of the certificate are conducted upon agreement with the organisation at an interval of 6, 9 or 12 months. The result of the supervisory audit is presented to the organisation as a written report. The organisation has up to 3 months to rectify the irregularities found.

Renewal of certificates

The validity of an issued certificate can be extended after every three years. In order to extend the validity of a certificate, a recertification audit is conducted. If no significant changes have taken place in the organisation, the volume of the certificate renewal audit corresponds to the volume of the 2nd stage of the certification audit.

Cancellation or suspension of management system certifications

Metrosert may cancel or suspend a certification, if:

  • the customer has violated regulations on which the certification is based, or the terms and conditions of the certification agreement;
  • the customer’s activities are suspended by a law enforcement authority due to work accidents that occurred or environmental damage that was caused or
  • due to the non-conformity of products or services;
  • the validity of the certificate has been arbitrarily extended to areas or departments that have not been certified;
  • the customer does not allow for the timely performance of supervisory audits;
  • the customer has provided incorrect data upon certification or during supervision;
  • the customer has failed to give notice of changes in its management system;
  • the customer is unable to rectify the irregularities found in the course of an audit;
  • the customer has incurred a financial debt to Metrosert;
  • the customer’s organisation has discontinued its activities;
  • the customer has submitted a respective request or letter;
  • another certification institution has taken over the respective certificate.

The validity of a certification may be suspended for up to 6 months for good reason (except for the first supervisory audit after initial certification). If the validity of the certification cannot be restored after 6 months have passed, the certification is cancelled.

Upon a certification being cancelled, the customer shall return the certificates issued to it.

Restoration of certification

Certification can be restored if the circumstances that led to the suspension have been resolved, following the customer’s respective notice. In order to restore a certification, a short notice audit may need to be undertaken.

Extension or restriction of the area of certification

Metrosert may restrict the extent of certification in the following cases:

  • the customer is unable to rectify irregularities that have been classified as significant within the granted term;
  • the customer has submitted a respective request.

If the customer is unable to rectify irregularities that have been classified as significant within the granted term, the suspension or restriction of the certification must be considered. A certification can be restricted in parts that do not affect the overall conformity of the certification issued to the customer with the certification requirements.
An organisation has the right to request the extension or restriction of the area of certification in the event of changes in products, processes, service or production location or in order to fulfil the requirements of another standard. Upon new sites being added, the sampling rules shall be added to the new sites independent of the number of the organisation’s certified sites, and the new sites shall be added to the others after certification.

In order to have the area of certification extended, the organisation submits the documentation concerning the area related to the extension. Metrosert assesses the conformity of the documentation with the data presented in the extension request and conducts an audit to the extent of the area of extension. In the case of a positive decision, a certificate with a new area of certification is issued.

Upon the area of certification being restricted, the valid certificate is cancelled and a certificate with a new area of certification is issued.

Short notice audits

Metrosert may, if necessary, carry out audits at short notice (up to three days) or without prior notice:

  • to investigate complaints;
  • to investigate the occurrence of environmental damage or a risk thereof;
  • to investigate a severe or fatal work accident;
  • to respond to changes that have taken place at a customer;
  • for the follow-up check of a suspended certification.

The Head of the Certification Division appoints auditors to conduct such an audit. An audit is aimed at investigating the circumstances that called for the audit. Depending on the audit results, the certification institution decides on further action – the suspension, cancellation or restoration of the certification.

Use of certificates and certified management system marks

Customers who have been certified by Metrosert and hold a valid management system certificate have the right to use a certified management system mark (e.g., on the website and in brochures, catalogues, offers or orders related to the organisation’s certified activities). A more detailed information about using a management system certificate and a certified management system mark is available here. Please forward any questions related to the use of certificates and marks by e-mail to sertifitseerimine@metrosert.ee.

Metrosert’s accreditations

Accreditation certificate MSC 001

Further information

AS Metrosert’s Certification Division
sertifitseerimine@metrosert.ee