QTAWA 10

Accreditation

QTAWA 10:2019

Purpose: The purpose of this document is to describe the requirements in conducting the process of accreditation assessment (pre-assessment, initial assessment, consecutive assessment, and reassessments) for halal certification bodies in accordance with QTAWA regulations and requirements.

Process Description General – The main function of QTAWA halal CBs accreditation department are to assess and accredit the competence of halal CBs to carry out specified certification activities, and subsequently to ensure by monitoring that the standard QTAWA 10:2019 maintained. – The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether a halal CB complies with QTAWA requirements for accreditation, QTAWA 10:2019 regulations. In some circumstances specialized regulations/publications issued by QTAWA or other national, regional or international organizations provide guidance and documents of these criteria. These regulations/publications are listed in the QTAWA regulations/publications list. – Assessment team mission is to judge the competence of halal CB to perform the certification activities for which accreditation are sought. Their responsibility is therefore to assess a halal CB’s compliance with QTAWA 2:2019, QTAWA requirements. Their assessment should be confined to investigating and reporting the findings that result from observation and discussion in halal CB and through examination of documentation. – Each of applicant’s halal CBs provides basic information on its activities and staff in the application form, in addition to its quality documentation, but it is essential to check the competence of halal CB by assessment in halal CB head office and other locations, where appropriate. – All information obtained before, during or after assessment, including the fact that a particular halal CB has applied for accreditation, or that an application for accreditation has been deferred or rejected, shall be treated as strictly confidential by QTAWA staff, the external assessment team and QTAWA and committees. QTAWA normally uses assessment teams contracted from external sources to assess halal CBs on its behalf. QTAWA assessment teams, including QTAWA staff members acting as assessment team, must meet defined criteria in terms of their technical expertise and experience. QTAWA halal CBs accreditation manager will be able to respond during visits to inquiries from halal CB management on such matters. QTAWA team leader, he/she will assist with the interpretation of QTAWA requirements in appropriate circumstances, for the guidance of halal CB management or assessment team. QTAWA assessment team must take into account the size and complexity of the organization when assessing the quality system of halal CB, the quality system must provide assurance that halal CB, whatever its size or complexity, or the location where work is carried out, meets QTAWA requirements.