Impartiality is the foundation of credible certification
The outcome must follow from evidence – not from business relationships
Almaland conducts certification activities with a focus on maintaining independence, objectivity, competence, confidentiality and equal treatment of clients.
A certificate is not a product whose positive outcome can be guaranteed before the assessment begins.
Independent assessment without unacceptable influence
Commercial interests, personal interests or other relationships should not undermine the independence of the assessment. Impartiality is part of the certification body’s management system, not a marketing declaration.
A conflict of interest is not always obvious
RISKS AND SAFEGUARDS
Impartiality requires active risk management
Independence is not based on a declaration alone. Potential threats must be identified, assessed and reduced before a process begins or continues.
PREVIOUS COOPERATION
Previous employment, earlier business cooperation or other relationships with the client may require assessment of their impact on the independence of a specific person.
PREVIOUS CONSULTING
If a person designed solutions, procedures or the client’s system, later assessing their own work may create a significant impartiality risk.
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Close relationships with personnel of the audited organisation, family ties or other personal connections should be disclosed and assessed before a person is assigned to the process.
FINANCIAL INTEREST
A direct or indirect financial interest, economic dependence or expectation of benefit may undermine the objectivity of the assessment.
COMMERCIAL PRESSURE
Client size, contract value, number of facilities or length of cooperation must not influence scheme requirements or the expected outcome.
ASSESSING ONE’S OWN WORK
A person should not automatically assess a solution they previously created, implemented or supervised. Such a case requires separate analysis and appropriate safeguards.
AUDITOR SELECTION
When assigning an auditor, competence, scheme scope, required modules, technical experience and the possibility of a conflict of interest are considered.
NO ADEQUATE SAFEGUARD AVAILABLE
If a risk cannot be adequately reduced, the person should not participate in the process or the process should not be conducted in that configuration.
A certification body assesses solutions – it does not design them for the client
The auditor may explain the meaning of a requirement, identify a nonconformity, specify missing evidence and verify actions presented by the client.
The auditor identifies the issue – the organisation chooses how to resolve it
Almaland
is an Accredited Certification Body, providing certification services in Europe, Asia and Africa. At the same time, Almaland is a certification body recognised by Plastics Recyclers Europe for plastics processing and recycling processes and for recyclability assessments of packaging products.
CERTIFICATION AND CONSULTING
Preparing a client must not create an advantage in the certification process
A client may prepare independently, with its own team or with a chosen consultant. Selecting a particular consulting provider is not a condition of certification and cannot influence the outcome.
ALMALAND’S ROLE
As a certification body, Almaland assesses conformity with requirements. It does not design solutions for the client that it could later assess itself.
NO PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT
Using consulting services does not change certification requirements. It does not guarantee a certificate, provide weaker criteria or give influence over the auditor, technical review or decision.
SEPARATION OF PEOPLE AND ROLES
A person involved in consulting cannot later participate in the audit, technical review or decision-making concerning their own work.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
The client is not required to use consulting services or any specified consultant. The organisation may prepare itself in any way consistent with scheme requirements.
PROCESS FEE
The fee covers delivery of the certification process, the auditor’s work, document analysis, required reviews and other activities. It is not a fee for a positive decision.
The same scheme requirements for every client
Frequently asked questions
Does paying for the process mean purchasing a positive outcome?
No. The fee covers delivery of the certification process, not a guarantee that a certificate will be issued.
Can an external consultant be used?
Yes. The client may prepare independently, with its own team or with any consultant of its choice.
Can a person who provided consulting later conduct the audit?
Each case requires an impartiality-risk assessment. A person should not automatically assess their own work.
Do you have a question about process independence or a potential conflict of interest?
Reasonable questions can be submitted to Almaland. They will be considered in accordance with the applicable rules of the certification body’s management system.