Certification And Accreditation

Hi every one,

I am still not sure that I have to put the following questions in this forum:-

1) What is the difference between certification and accreditation?
2) We go for HACCP certification or accreditation?
3) Is HACCP a standard or a system?

I have raised the above querries in many training courses but I could never get a simple answer which can be understood by me.
Thanks in advance,
Gireesh.

Hi every one,

I am still not sure that I have to put the following questions in this forum:-

1) What is the difference between certification and accreditation?
2) We go for HACCP certification or accreditation?
3) Is HACCP a standard or a system?

I have raised the above querries in many training courses but I could never get a simple answer which can be understood by me.
Thanks in advance,
Gireesh.

Hello again Gireesh,

The long explanation of the difference between Certification and Accreditation

The short answer:

As a company you get a certificate, the company giving you the certificate is accredited.

Simon

Thanks Simon, now my next one is:-
why is my Lab. IS 17025 accredited and not certified? and why is my processing unit HACCP certified & not accrediated though both were inspected by accredited certifying agencies?
thanks,
Giresh

Hello again Gireesh,

The long explanation of the difference between Certification and Accreditation

The short answer:

As a company you get a certificate, the company giving you the certificate is accredited.

Simon

Thanks Simon, now my next one is:-
why is my Lab. IS 17025 accredited and not certified? and why is my processing unit HACCP certified & not accrediated though both were inspected by accredited certifying agencies?
thanks,
Giresh

You've got me on the run now Gireesh - straight into the sea and up to my neck in it.
I don't know why.

Simon

Dear Gireesh / Simon,

Auditing is not my field but a little googling suggests that the word 'accreditation' may have a flexible usage which is not confined to its application by ISO (Simon's link unfortunately requires a money input to progress very far (dear, fat, old ISO)).

Eg - ' Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency or authority is presented. It can be used in a wide variety of fields:'

( http://www.answers.c...c/accreditation )

Perhaps this could fit the 17025 question ?

Or

Integrated Pest Management
What is the IPM Accreditation Program?
The IPM Accreditation Program (IPMAP) recognizes companies, park systems, golf clubs and their superintendents, and other interested institutions who demonstrate their knowledge of and commitment to the principles of IPM through a process of certification, audit, and professional development.
( http://www.nbhta.ca/.../ipm/index.html )
I suspect this is another of those deceptively simple questions and await further responses with interest even if they demolish the above.

Regarding HACCP, I have seen this described in many ways - eg concept, methodology, [management] system etc (although never from memory as standard). It may be another question of 'whose definition' you prefer. I pass for the moment.
Rgds / Charles.C

Regarding HACCP, I have seen this described in many ways - eg concept, methodology, [management] system etc (although never from memory as standard). It may be another question of 'whose definition' you prefer. I pass for the moment.

In the context of HACCP I think that Simons simple definition of certification/accreditation is spot on and holds true for all QMS and hygiene/GMP standards with which we are concerned on this forum. It would follow Gireesh that your company would seek certification of your HACCP system from an accredited body.

Codex Alimentarius which is widely accepted as the Canon of HACCP refers to it as a system so I would be inclined to settle for that.

On the subject of HACCP certification although EFSIS, IRQA and a few more of the major certification bodies are offering HACCP certification I am not aware of any UK companies that have such certification, is it rendered unecessary by BRC, BRC IOP, EFSIS etc or are customers of UK suppliers not bothered about that particular certificate or do I just need to open my eyes more ?

Hi all,

Thanks everybody for the replies. I must admit that all my doubts regarding question 1 are not clear yet but to a great extent all the other querries are clear. I still can'nt understand why certification is given for ISO 9001:200, ISO14000, ISO 22000 and accreditation for IS17025 & IS 17020 though all are systems. The consultant to my company says that I should not bother about the terms, definations these things will be clear to me as I gain experience. So, I hope to post the clear picture the day I am clear with the Jagron.
Thakns again,
Gireesh

In the context of HACCP I think that Simons simple definition of certification/accreditation is spot on and holds true for all QMS and hygiene/GMP standards with which we are concerned on this forum. It would follow Gireesh that your company would seek certification of your HACCP system from an accredited body.

Codex Alimentarius which is widely accepted as the Canon of HACCP refers to it as a system so I would be inclined to settle for that.

On the subject of HACCP certification although EFSIS, IRQA and a few more of the major certification bodies are offering HACCP certification I am not aware of any UK companies that have such certification, is it rendered unecessary by BRC, BRC IOP, EFSIS etc or are customers of UK suppliers not bothered about that particular certificate or do I just need to open my eyes more ?

Hi all,

Thanks everybody for the replies. I must admit that all my doubts regarding question 1 are not clear yet but to a great extent all the other querries are clear. I still can'nt understand why certification is given for ISO 9001:200, ISO14000, ISO 22000 and accreditation for IS17025 & IS 17020 though all are systems. The consultant to my company says that I should not bother about the terms, definations these things will be clear to me as I gain experience. So, I hope to post the clear picture the day I am clear with the Jagron.
Thakns again,
Gireesh

I think your consultant is wise Gireesh, it does not matter, but I understand it would be nice to know the reason for this anomaly. If you get time Gireesh please stop by the New Member Introductions forum and tell us a little about yourself.

Thanks,
Simon

Hi all,

Thanks everybody for the replies. I must admit that all my doubts regarding question 1 are not clear yet but to a great extent all the other querries are clear. I still can'nt understand why certification is given for ISO 9001:200, ISO14000, ISO 22000 and accreditation for IS17025 & IS 17020 though all are systems. The consultant to my company says that I should not bother about the terms, definations these things will be clear to me as I gain experience. So, I hope to post the clear picture the day I am clear with the Jagron.
Thakns again,
Gireesh

In the context of ISO 17025, accredition has the following meaning:-
Accreditation - Certification by a duly recognized body of the facilities, capability, objectivity, competence, and integrity of an agency, service or operational group or individual to provide the specific service(s) or operation(s) needed.

Note that ISO 17025 is more than a system with procedures & SOP/WI, it has tangibles, things like facilities, competence and many participated in "group round robin tests" all year round. Smaller labs that do not have such facilities, capabilities and personnels had to be satisfied with certification to ISO 9001.

Regards.

In the context of ISO 17025, accredition has the following meaning:-
Accreditation - Certification by a duly recognized body of the facilities, capability, objectivity, competence, and integrity of an agency, service or operational group or individual to provide the specific service(s) or operation(s) needed.

Note that ISO 17025 is more than a system with procedures & SOP/WI, it has tangibles, things like facilities, competence and many participated in "group round robin tests" all year round. Smaller labs that do not have such facilities, capabilities and personnels had to be satisfied with certification to ISO 9001.

Regards.

Thanks Chen, a further question just to add confusion. In the explanation above who is the duly recognized body; would it be an Accreditation Body or a Certification Body who provide the certification audit to accredit the ISO 17025 laboratory?

Regards,
Simon

This is not exactly on topic, but I did find that a good place for certification is through www.certifiedsafer.com.

Hi Christian, thanks for trying to help. I think the original question from Giresh was relating to company certification / accreditation in the context of food safety standards; rather than individual certification as in the training courses at the link you provided. Boy it's all so complicated.

Regards,
Simon