The audit covers scope confirmation, material flow, traceability, data, quality and a summary of findings. After the required actions are closed, independent review and the certification body's decision follow. Under the cited RecyClass Q&A, the SP, RP and RC process from the on-site audit to certificate issuance must finish within a maximum of 12 weeks.
1. Opening meeting
The auditor confirms the scope, scheme, sites, daily schedule, contact people and how evidence will be provided. This is the time to explain changes since the application or previous audit.
2. System and documentation review
The review covers procedures, responsibilities, supplier qualification, specifications, purchasing documents, warehouse records, production data, quality control and other elements relevant to the scheme.
3. Walk-through of the actual process
The auditor observes material receipt, storage, the processing line, batch identification, flows between stages and output. Documentation should correspond to what physically happens.
4. Traceability test
A selected batch or product may be traced from the supplier to the finished product, or in the reverse direction. The aim is to check whether the system reliably connects material with data.
5. Quantity balance and data
The auditor checks consistency between purchases, inventories, consumption, production, losses, regrind and sales. Different data sources may be compared, with sampling of periods or products.
6. Quality control
The auditor examines required parameters, test methods, results, control frequency, laboratories and procedures for material that does not meet its specification.
7. Findings and nonconformities
If a requirement is not met, the auditor documents a nonconformity with supporting evidence. The organisation prepares actions within the deadlines of the relevant scheme.
8. Closing meeting
The auditor presents the main findings and explains the next steps. They should not promise a certificate before the entire process has been completed.
9. After the audit
Once the required actions are closed, the report and evidence undergo independent review and the certification body's decision. For SP, RP and RC, the entire process following the on-site audit, including certificate issuance, must be completed within a maximum of 12 weeks according to the cited RecyClass Q&A.
Key takeaway
A RecyClass audit is more than a document check. It verifies whether requirements are implemented in the actual process and supported by consistent evidence.