Stage 1: The primary focus of the Certification Stage 1 audit is for DEKRA to develop an understanding of the company that will result in the generation of a process-based Audit Program. The Audit Program is used to map-out the process audits over the entire certification period. Certain key aspects of the management system will also be reviewed for conformance to the standard.

Stage 2: DEKRA will select a representative sample of management system processes to establish a final determination of conformance to the standard

Surveillance 1 and 2: Once certification has been achieved DEKRA will perform on-site Surveillance Audits as outlined in the initial quotation. At a minimum, audits to review continued compliance to the standard will be conducted within 12 months of the previous audit.

Recertification: At the completion of the certification period (three years unless otherwise specified), DEKRA will initiate the recertification process to begin another three-year certification cycle.