This Procedure explains how TNV Global Limited ("TNV Global", "we") suspends, withdraws, reduces the scope of, or restores certificates we have issued. It is published in conformance with ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 Clauses 9.6 (Changes affecting certification) and 9.9 (Termination, reduction, suspension, or withdrawal of certification). It applies to all certificates issued by TNV Global across all schemes (ISO 42001, ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, ISO 41001, ISO 55001).
Suspension, withdrawal, scope reduction, and restoration decisions are made by qualified Certification Decision Makers independent of the audit team. These decisions are subject to the Appeals process set out in our Complaints and Appeals Procedure.
1. Definitions
- Suspension: Temporary cessation of certificate validity. The client is not entitled to claim certification or use the certification mark during suspension. The certificate is not cancelled and may be restored on satisfactory corrective action.
- Scope Reduction: Permanent narrowing of the certificate's scope to exclude activities, sites, or processes no longer compliant or no longer subject to certification.
- Withdrawal: Permanent cancellation of the certificate. The client must immediately cease all claims of certification and remove all certification marks from their materials.
- Surrender (Voluntary): Voluntary cessation of certification by the client. Treated similarly to withdrawal in terms of mark removal but without adverse fault implications.
- Restoration: Reinstatement of a suspended certificate following successful corrective action within the maximum suspension period.
- Transfer Out: Migration of certification to another accredited certification body. Subject to its own procedure (not covered in this document).
2. Grounds for Suspension
TNV Global may suspend a certificate where any of the following grounds is established:
- 2.1 Major non-conformity: A major non-conformity identified at audit (Stage 2, surveillance, or special audit) is not closed within the agreed timeframe (typically 30 to 90 days depending on severity).
- 2.2 Refusal of surveillance: The client persistently fails to accept or schedule a required surveillance audit within the cycle.
- 2.3 Misuse of certification: The client makes misleading claims about certification scope, accreditation, or status, or uses certification marks in unauthorised contexts.
- 2.4 Non-payment: Failure to pay fees due within the agreed payment period after reasonable reminders.
- 2.5 Failure to notify changes: The client fails to notify TNV Global of material changes affecting the certified management system (e.g., merger, scope reduction, regulatory action) as required by the certification contract.
- 2.6 Voluntary suspension: The client requests temporary suspension (e.g., during business restructure, regulatory investigation). Granted where consistent with accreditation requirements.
- 2.7 Other serious breach: Any other material breach of the certification contract or evidence that the management system is no longer effective for the certified scope.
3. Grounds for Withdrawal
TNV Global may withdraw a certificate where:
- A suspension exceeds the maximum permitted period (typically 6 months) without satisfactory resolution
- The client fails to demonstrate corrective action within the agreed timeframe
- Fundamental, ongoing failure of the management system is established
- The client ceases trading, becomes insolvent, or is dissolved
- The client requests withdrawal (voluntary surrender)
- Serious or fraudulent misuse of certification continues despite warnings
- Material misrepresentation in the original application that came to light later
- Regulatory action against the client incompatible with continued certification (e.g., licence revocation in regulated industry)
4. Grounds for Scope Reduction
TNV Global may reduce the scope of a certificate where:
- A specific site, activity, product, or service within scope is no longer compliant
- The client has divested or ceased a part of the certified business
- Audit findings affect only part of the certified scope
- The client requests reduction (e.g., to lower fees during business contraction)
5. Decision-Making Process
5.1 Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Before any suspension, withdrawal, or scope reduction:
- TNV Global gathers and documents evidence of the grounds (audit findings, complaints, regulatory notices, communications, etc.)
- The Lead Auditor or Investigator prepares a Findings Report
- The Certification Manager reviews the Findings Report and recommends an outcome
5.2 Notice of Intent (Right to Respond)
Before making an adverse decision, TNV Global issues a Notice of Intent to the client:
- The Notice describes the grounds being considered
- Attaches relevant evidence
- Sets out the proposed action (suspension / withdrawal / scope reduction)
- Provides the client with a reasonable opportunity to respond — typically 7 to 14 business days, depending on severity
- In cases of imminent serious risk (e.g., client posing safety risk to public), the Notice period may be shortened or waived, with subsequent right of appeal
5.3 Client Response
The client may:
- Accept the proposed action and propose corrective action plan
- Provide evidence rebutting the grounds
- Request a meeting to present their position
- Request additional time (granted where reasonable)
5.4 Final Decision
After considering the client's response (or after the response period expires), an independent Certification Decision Maker — who was not involved in the audit or initial review — makes the final decision. The decision is documented with reasoning, evidence relied upon, and the effective date of action.
6. Effect of Suspension
During suspension, the client:
- MUST NOT claim to be currently certified
- MUST NOT use the certification mark, the UAF accreditation mark, or the IAF (GAC) mark in any new materials
- MUST take reasonable steps to remove existing claims of current certification from website, marketing materials, business documents, and promotional materials
- MAY refer to the certificate as "suspended pending resolution" if explicitly required for legal or contractual purposes
- MAY continue using the certificate for past references (e.g., historical case studies) provided it is clearly identified as referring to the past period of valid certification
Suspension is notified on global-aci.org by changing the certificate status to "Suspended". Reason for suspension is NOT publicly disclosed unless required by law.
7. Maximum Suspension Period and Restoration
7.1 Maximum Suspension Period
Suspension may not normally exceed 6 (six) months. If the grounds for suspension are not resolved within this period, the suspension is converted to withdrawal.
Exceptions to the 6-month limit:
- Where the client is engaged in extensive corrective action and progress is documented and reasonable
- Where regulatory or legal proceedings require an extended period before resolution is possible
- Exceptions require approval from the Certification Decision Maker and notification to UAF
7.2 Restoration Process
To restore a suspended certificate, the client must:
- Implement corrective action addressing the grounds for suspension
- Provide documented evidence of corrective action and its effectiveness
- Undergo a Special Audit at the client's cost to verify implementation
- Pass the Special Audit with no outstanding major non-conformities
- Pay any outstanding fees
Restoration decision is made by an independent Certification Decision Maker based on Special Audit evidence. The certificate status on global-aci.org returns to "Active" on restoration.
8. Effect of Withdrawal
Upon withdrawal:
- The certificate ceases to be valid
- The client MUST cease all claims of certification immediately
- The client MUST remove all certification marks within 30 calendar days from website, marketing materials, business documents, packaging, and any other places they appear
- The original certificate document(s) must be returned to TNV Global or destroyed, with confirmation
- The certificate status on global-aci.org is updated to "Withdrawn"
- Reason for withdrawal is NOT publicly disclosed unless required by law, accreditation rules, or public safety
9. Effect of Scope Reduction
Upon scope reduction:
- A new certificate document is issued reflecting the reduced scope, with the same certificate number and original issue date but updated effective date for the new scope
- The previous (broader) certificate is invalid for the removed activities
- The client must update any references to certification scope in marketing and business materials within 30 calendar days
- global-aci.org is updated to reflect the new scope
10. Notification Requirements
10.1 Notification to Client
The client is notified in writing of any suspension, withdrawal, or scope reduction decision. The notification includes:
- The decision and effective date
- The grounds and evidence
- Required actions and timelines (mark removal, certificate return)
- Restoration conditions (if applicable)
- Right of appeal under our Complaints and Appeals Procedure
10.2 Notification to Accreditation Body
UAF is notified of:
- Any withdrawal
- Any suspension exceeding 90 days
- Any significant scope reduction
- Any pattern of similar issues affecting multiple clients (where accreditation oversight may be warranted)
10.3 Notification to Public
The certificate status on global-aci.org reflects the current state in real time. This is the primary public notification mechanism. We do NOT publish individual reasons for adverse decisions unless required to do so by law or for public safety.
11. Voluntary Surrender by Client
A client may voluntarily surrender certification at any time by giving 30 days' written notice to admin@tnvglobal.com. Voluntary surrender:
- Does not require evidence of non-conformity
- Is treated similarly to withdrawal in terms of mark removal
- Does not entitle the client to refund of fees already paid (per our Refund Policy)
- Does not prevent re-application for certification in the future
- Is shown on global-aci.org as "Withdrawn — voluntary"
12. Right of Appeal
All clients have the right to appeal a suspension, withdrawal, or scope reduction decision under our Complaints and Appeals Procedure. The original decision remains in force during the appeal (i.e., suspension or withdrawal stands until the appeal is determined).
Appeals are reviewed by an independent Appeal Panel comprising members not involved in the original decision. See our Complaints and Appeals Procedure for full details.
13. Re-Application After Withdrawal
Following withdrawal, a former client may apply for new certification. Re-application:
- Is treated as a new application
- Requires a full Stage 1 + Stage 2 audit (not surveillance or transfer)
- May be subject to additional scrutiny where the previous withdrawal involved misuse of marks or material misrepresentation
- Is at the discretion of TNV Global — we may decline to certify a former client where serious past breach makes future confidence in their management system untenable
14. Records
TNV Global maintains records of all suspension, withdrawal, scope reduction, and restoration decisions for 3 certification cycles (~9 years) including:
- Original Notice of Intent and supporting evidence
- Client response
- Final decision with reasoning
- Communication records
- Mark removal confirmation
- Restoration evidence (where applicable)
- UAF notifications
15. Contact
Questions or appeals relating to suspension, withdrawal, or scope reduction:
- Email: admin@tnvglobal.com (subject: "Suspension" / "Withdrawal" / "Restoration" / "Appeal")
- UK: +44 7877 901727 | India: +91 98380 70227
- Post: Certification Decision Maker, TNV Global Limited, Sabichi House, 5 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Greenford, UB6 7JD