Certification

The NSI Certification is established as a third party assessment of whether an organization or body’s management system, product, service or personnel abide by the principles set out in a given standard. During Phase I of the NSI establishment (Financial Year 2007/2008 - FY 2009/2010), the NSI Certification focuses on management system and product certification. Other certification services commence during Phase II (from FY 2010/2011 onwards).

Steps to certification

The NSI has adopted seven internationally recognised steps leading to certification.

1. Select the standard to which certification is sought
The first step here is to obtain a copy and familiarisation with the contents of the applicable standard before the actual application is launched.

2. Approach the NSI Certification
Once the applicant has approached the NSI Certification, the NSI starts with the certification preparation including identification of the best practice for the organisation/body and proposals detailing the costs and time involved in the formal assessment.
  
3. Meeting between the NSI assessment team and the Client organisation/body
A dedicated qualified staff member in the NSI Certification is assigned leadership of the activities related to that particular client organisation/body. All future contacts with the NSI Certification will then be coordinated through that dedicated staff member who will be required to familiarise her/himself with the client’s  business area and provide technical support as the client moves forward to assessment and certification.

4. Possible training offered on request
Should the client organisation/body requiring certification wishes to increase its general knowledge of the standard, the NSI offers workshops, seminars and other training programmes, but no cosultancy to its customers.

5. Pre-assessment
The NSI Certification can carry out an optional pre-assessment of the client’s management system against the relevant standard, and identify any omissions or weaknesses that need resolving before formal assessment.

6. Formal assessment
A formal initial assessment is made up of a series of stages that depend on the chosen standard.
 
7. Certification and beyond
Once the formal assessment has been successfully completed, the NSI Certification issues a Mark of Conformity in terms of the Standards Act No 18 of 2005, clearly outlining the scope of the client body’s certification. The Mark of Conformity is valid for a defined period of time depending on the standard. The NSI dedicated contact person will carry out regular assessments to ensure the client organisation/body remains compliant, and provide support for continual improvement.