NiNAS provides a variety of accreditation services to Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) in accordance with standards published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
The following are the accreditation schemes offered by NiNAS and their corresponding criteria:
NOTE: The sub scopes of the Management System Certification scope accreditation scheme according to ISO/IEC 17021-1 include:
- Environmental Management System, ISO/IEC 17021-2, EMS (ISO 14001)
- Quality Management System, ISO/IEC 17021-3, QMS (ISO 9001)
- Occupational Health and Safety Management System, ISO/IEC TS 17021-10, OHSMS (ISO 45001)
- Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) – {Level 4: ISO/TS 22003; Level 5: ISO 22000}
NiNAS will grant accreditation when the CAB demonstrates that it has the necessary competence to perform specified tasks. This assessment follows a process that starts with the application by the CAB.
NiNAS will appoint a team of technical assessors for each project. They will conduct a thorough evaluation of all factors in the CAB that affect the outcome of the CAB’s assessments, e.g :
NiNAS will perform the above-mentioned evaluation of the CABs by reviewing documents and performing audits on-site.
NiNAS will gather the results of the evaluation in a report that is sent to the applicant. The applicant must then put in place all corrective actions that are necessary to resolve any non-conformities.
With the evaluation report and the applicants answer, NiNAS will take a decision. If the decision is positive, NiNAS issues the certificate of accreditation.
Once accredited, NiNAS must re-assess CABs regularly to ensure continued compliance with requirements, and to check that they maintain the required standards of operation.
Time Frames
Generally, the accreditation process will take between 6 and 12 months depending on the scope of the accreditation and the status of the applicant.
The exact duration will depend as well on the level of preparation of the applicant and on the amount of time that the applicant needs to implement any corrective actions.
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The accreditation process is open to all conformity assessment bodies, whether public or private, regardless of their size or scope of activities. NiNAS will be introducing programs in a phased approach and therefore will have certain programs available at the outset of operations.
Before applying for accreditation, the CAB must have experience in the execution of the activities for which it is requesting accreditation, and it must know and fulfill the applicable accreditation criteria.
Cost
The cost for accreditation includes an application fee for the handling of the process and the costs corresponding to the number of days necessary to carry on the evaluation (review of documents and audits on-site). NiNAS will send an estimate of costs to the applicant prior to the start of the assessment. There is a fee as well for the accreditation certificate.
Finally, accredited CABs pay an annual fee for the maintenance of accreditation.
How to apply for accreditation
To apply for accreditation, please send an email to info@ninas.ng. All information received by NiNAS will be considered confidential.
Download Application form here.