CONTENTS 1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION 3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND GUARANTEES FOR THE CLIENT 4. STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND LEGALITY CONTROL LIMITS 5. CERTIFICATION PROCESS REQUIREMENTS 6. SUSPENSION, REVOCATION OR REDUCTION OF THE CERTIFICATION 7. USING THE MARK AND CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY 8. COMPLAINTS, APPEALS AND DISPUTES 9. CHANGES TO THE ORGANISATION 10. CHANGES TO THE CERTIFICATION SCHEME 11. TERMINATING THE CONTRACT Rev. Revision summary Date 5 Introduction of ref. to body principles, new general supply terms and conditions, access requirements, classification and management of issues, certification marks updated, management of complaints, appeals and disputes 2014-11-26 4 Addition of ref. Standard 70017 and new logo 2014-02-24 3 Updating for company name 2013-10-28 Verified: Quality and Industrialisation Director Maria Anzilotta Approved: Chief Operating Officer Giampiero Belcredi rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 1 of 11
1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE These Regulations set out the rights and duties, as well as the operating methods that regulate the relationship between KIWA CERMET Italia S.p.A. (hereinafter abbreviated to KIWA CERMET) and the Client Organisations for providing the Certification of processes and/or services. The requirements stated in these regulations are an integral part of the contract stipulated with KIWA CERMET (quotation and General Terms and Conditions). These requirements refer solely to the aspects specifically connected with the scope of the certification requested. Process/service conformity certification proves that the process or service certified conforms to the requirements referred to in a specific regulatory document (or Technical Document / Service Standard where issued by the Organisation concerned). The contract expressly excludes any form of consultancy to the client that could jeopardise the independent nature of the assessments carried out. These regulations are also available on the KIWA CERMET website (www.kiwacermet.it). 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION 2.1 Requirements for which Certification is requested National or International Standards, that state service or process requirements; Technical Document (TD) and/or Service Standard (SS) issued by the Organisation concerned and verified by KIWA CERMET. 2.2 References for defining the Certification system UNI CEI 70017:2008 Fundamentals of Product Certification (and subsequent revisions). In reference to the aforementioned Standard, the Certification system adopted by KIWA CERMET for process/service certification is System 6. 3. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND GUARANTEES FOR THE CLIENT In its certification processes, as well as the General Terms and Conditions, KIWA CERMET applies the following principles: a) Non discrimination: certification services are accessible to any Organisation requesting them, in accordance with these regulations, without any discrimination of a commercial or financial nature or regarding membership of particular associations b) Impartiality and independence: ensured through the following measures: - Certification procedures are assigned to staff with no vested interests in the Organisation being certified, bound to observe the rules of conduct and independence set by KIWA CERMET; regarding this aspect KIWA CERMET undertakes to investigate any justified concerns of the client concerning the existence of incompatibility of the duty assigned which could compromise the impartiality or independence of judgement. Impartiality is furthermore guaranteed by the involvement of dedicated bodies that govern the way in which the services of KIWA CERMET are administered; - Separation between the staff carrying out audits and the staff responsible for making the certification decision; - A total absence of any kind of assistance in defining or applying the requirements for obtaining certification. c) Prompt management of complaints, appeals and disputes, as defined in 8 of these regulations; d) Confidentiality: As well as the regulations set out in the General Terms and Conditions, KIWA CERMET requires all its staff, including its auditors, to sign a confidentiality agreement as well as a document in which staff commit to treat any information that comes into their possession in accordance with the rules of the laws on Privacy. e) Accreditation: KIWA CERMET undertakes to inform the client of any rejection, suspension or revocation of the accreditation, as well as to support the client during the transition stage to another accredited Body; in such cases KIWA CERMET will be in no way responsible for any damages caused to the client by rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 2 of 11
rejection, suspension or revocation of the accreditation; in the aforementioned cases the client has the right to opt out of the contractual relationship with KIWA CERMET, without the need for prior notification and without any additional costs. 4. STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND LEGALITY CONTROL LIMITS The legal conformity of the service or process being certified shall be considered by KIWA CERMET an essential prerequisite for issuing certification. The certification issued by KIWA CERMET does however only regard conformity with the reference standard(s), and so it does not constitute a guarantee of compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements. Such compliance is the specific competence of the client Organisation, which retains responsibility towards itself and towards others for the legal obligations involved in the activities for which the certification is issued. 5. CERTIFICATION PROCESS REQUIREMENTS 5.1 Access requirements for Certification Before embarking upon the Certification process with KIWA CERMET, the Organisation must satisfy the following requirements: - Have a certification system that fulfils the requirements of the Reference Standard; - Apply the System in full; - Accept the conditions set out in these Regulations; - Ensure collaboration with the KIWA CERMET Audit Team during all audit proceedings; - Authorise access to offices, factories, areas and information needed to perform the audit; - Designate their own Representative as the main contact person for the Audit Team and make any consultants present during the audit play the role of observer; - Be responsible for applying the requirements prescribed by the laws in force on matters of safety in the workplace. In the absence of statutory regulations, the Organisation undertakes to provide KIWA CERMET with a complete and detailed report of the specific risks that exist in the workplace where KIWA CERMET staff will be working. The Organisation therefore undertakes to implement, as well as promote, through the designated officer, the risk protection and prevention measures in the workplace that could affect any auditors sent by KIWA CERMET and that require the protection of employees as well as all other persons working or who in any case are present in the same working environment. - Accept, without additional costs, the possible presence of: Assessors from the accreditation/control body, which will be notified by KIWA CERMET with a clear illustration of roles. Their presence serves the purpose of making sure that the evaluation methods used by KIWA CERMET conform with the requirements for accreditation; KIWA CERMET assessors in training; KIWA CERMET assessors as observers, whose job is to monitor on site the correctness of the evaluations and the service provided to clients. 5.2 Starting the Certification process On the basis of the information supplied by the Organisation, KIWA CERMET drafts a quotation for the certification, indicating the reference Standard(s) and the scope of the Certification notified by the client s Organisation. Returning the Certification quotation to KIWA CERMET, signed on behalf of the Organisation, constitutes the official request for the Certification process, as well as acceptance of the contractual and economic conditions (set out in the quotation), of the conditions contained in these regulations, as well as the General Terms and Conditions (also available on the website www.kiwacermet.it). On receipt of the aforementioned documents, KIWA CERMET will examine them, to make sure that: rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 3 of 11
the requirements for providing the service requested have been clearly defined and understood by both parties; KIWA CERMET is able to perform the activities requested; the data and documents requested are all complete; there are no differences from the information supplied at the time of requesting the quotation. In this phase, KIWA CERMET identifies the persons in the Organisation and the departments involved in supplying the process/service being certified, where the verification processes needed to issue the conformity certificate will be conducted. The applicant organisation must guarantee that all persons involved in supplying the service being certified are willing to accept inspection audits from the certification Body. Where the aforementioned examination proves positive, KIWA CERMET issues the Client with a job number. Should the results be negative, KIWA CERMET shall have the right to request the necessary additions or modifications before officially beginning the process or to give notification of the impossibility of beginning it, giving the client the reasons. Once the certification process has begun, in the event that while the service is being supplied any variations are noted to the conditions declared by the Client (on which basis the quotation was issued and the contract agreed), KIWA CERMET reserves the right to modify the contractual conditions as a consequence. The Client shall nevertheless be entitled to refuse the new conditions, paying KIWA CERMET only the required remuneration for the work undertaken up to that point. KIWA CERMET notifies the Organisation in advance of the members of the Audit Team; if there are any conflicts of interest, the Organisation can request substitutions, within 3 working days, by submitting a formal and substantiated request. KIWA CERMET will notify the Client of all subsequent modifications to the contractual documents. It is the Client s responsibility to retain always an updated version of these documents, downloading them from the website www.kiwacermet.it. At the request of the Organisation, once the service has been activated, a preliminary (optional) audit can be carried out, with the aim of evaluating the level of adequacy of the Certification system. The results of this audit are only expressed in terms of Non-conformities, they do not require the Organisation to notify KIWA CERMET of the corrective actions it intends to take and they are not subject to examination for the purposes of issuing certification. 5.3 Approval of Technical Document or Service Standard For process/service certification in conformity with a Company TD or SS, examination and approval of the TD or SS is necessary. Approval by KIWA CERMET is an obligatory step for continuing the certification procedure. The Technical Document (or Service Standard) must guarantee at least the following: - it must not contain elements in contrast with the current applicable legal obligations; - it must clarify the elements that enhance the process/service, whether they are requirements characteristic of the process/service, or requirements that represent a restrictive type application of the obligations deriving from the laws in force; - it must allow the application of a possible voluntary certification scheme that promotes the recognition of the value by direct clients and indirect clients (interested parties in general). These aspects will be subject to specific assessment by KIWA CERMET, for the purposes of approving the TD and/or SS put in place by the Organisation 5.4 Documental analysis Depending on the type of process/service certification, KIWA CERMET may request an analysis of the documentation before proceeding with the subsequent assessment activities. The documental analysis may be carried out on the premises of KIWA CERMET or on the premises of the applicant Organisation, according to the service or process being certified and the agreements made between the parties. rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 4 of 11
Among the documents to be examined, are the documentation (Manual and/or equivalent documents) that describe how the Organisation intends to satisfy the process/service requirements for which certification is requested. The documentation must contain or make reference to the following elements: - Identification and definition of the process/service being certified; - Identification of the persons in the Organisation and all the departments involved in managing the process/service; - Identification of who the service is intended for and of the needs and expectations of clients and interested parties; - Identification and clarification of the methods of assessing and addressing risks associated with managing the process/service; - Clarification of the characteristics and results of the process/service; - Definition of the indicators for assessing the results of the process/service; - Description of the measuring system used for verifying the results of the process/service; - Clarification of the human resources (in terms of professional expertise), technological resources (in terms of adequacy and availability for use) and structures necessary for managing the process/service; - Clarification of the rules (regulations, procedures and protocols) that guarantee the characteristics and results of the process/service; KIWA CERMET may request additional documents to conduct the documental analysis depending on the service or process being certified. The results are written up according to the classifications given to follow in 5.5 and presented in the form of an audit report to the applicant Organisation. Depending on the results, before continuing with the subsequent activities, the client is obliged to make any modifications or integrations. KIWA CERMET may request the modified documents to be submitted for a new evaluation before moving on to the subsequent activities. The client must make the documentation available on request, for the entire period of the assessment contract with KIWA CERMET and during all audits. 5.5 General requirements for Audits Every audit involves an initial meeting in which the following are shared: aims, the ways of executing the procedures, the classification criteria for non conformities with the consequent corrections and corrective actions and the obligation of confidentiality to which KIWA CERMET staff are bound; and a closing meeting at which the outcome of the audit is announced and clarifications are given on the results formalised in the report. When the audit is being carried out, if significant deviations are found between the company situation and what has been communicated by the Organisation, the Audit Team notifies KIWA CERMET immediately of this deviation in order to decide upon any contractual modifications with consequent updates of the duration of the audits 1. Each issue found during the course of the audits is classified as follows: Major non-conformity: a non-conformity that compromises the effectiveness of the process / service and consists of: - A deviation or total absence of conformity in relation to a specified requirement, found on the basis of objective evidence - A failure to comply with the legal requirements applicable to the process/service supplied within the purpose of the certification. Minor non-conformity: a non-conformity consisting of any inadequacy in the Standard requirements, not falling within the category of the major non-conformities described previously, or the partial failure to comply 1 The term significant deviation means a difference that requires a variation in the duration of the audit rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 5 of 11
with one or more requirements of the Management System and/or the contract stipulated with KIWA CERMET. Several minor conformities pertaining to the same requirement of the Standard, depending on the content and the general outcome of the audit, can lead to a major NC being issued. Minor non-conformities not resolved and/or not taken in hand by the Organisation can lead to the issuing of a major NC. Opportunity for improvement: a situation highlighted during the course of the audit that can provide an opportunity for an improvement in the process/service being certified. At the end of each audit, the Audit Team meets to evaluate the evidence recorded, to classify it and to write the report. In the final meeting, the Audit Team presents the Management with the results of the audit, highlighting any Non Conformities found. At the end of the meeting, the Head of the Audit Team issues a Report that outlines the results of the audit. Any difference of opinions between the Audit Team and the Organisation concerning the results of the audit, must be discussed and resolved, wherever possible. In the event of any nonresolved differences of opinion, the Organisation can express its reservations on the results of the audit. 5.6 Certification Audit The Certification audit is always conducted on the premises where the activities being certified are carried out. This audit extends to all requirements of the TD and/or SS covered in this contract. At the start of the audit, the resolution of any issues highlighted in the previous phase is assessed; failure to resolve any major non-conformities will not allow the certification to be issued. Any unresolved minor non-conformities are recorded as such in the audit report. At the end of the audit, the Audit Team issues a copy of the audit report to the client, who signs it. The report is submitted for internal examination and approval by KIWA CERMET, in order for the certification decision to be made. For any Non conformities found, the Organisation must send KIWA CERMET, on the relevant forms, its proposal for making the corrections and taking the corrective actions agreed (along with an analysis and formalisation of the causes that generated them), with a timescale for implementation. The case cannot be examined in order to make a decision until the proposals for resolution and the corrective actions to be taken on the non-conformities have been received. Furthermore, before certification is released, it must also be verified that major Non-conformities have been resolved, according to the assessment methods set by KIWA CERMET (audit on the client s premises and/or through documented evidence). This assessment must take place no later than 6 months following the certification audit; beyond this deadline a new complete certification audit will be necessary. Verification of the implementation and effectiveness of the corrections and corrective actions concerning minor non-conformities is carried out by KIWA CERMET in the subsequent periodic surveillance audit. If the certificate is issued, KIWA CERMET sends notification with the certificate attached and including any requests arising in the Certification Decision phase. If the certificate is denied, KIWA CERMET will notify the Organisation, which will report what was found in the Certification Decision phase and the relative consequent actions. Any requests for changes to the content of the certificate must be sent to KIWA CERMET in writing and prior to the first useful audit. The list of certificates covered by accreditation is also supplied by the Accreditation Body at the intervals and in the ways set by the Accreditation Body itself. The Certificate is valid for three years from the date of issue or the last re-issue. 5.7 Surveillance Audits Surveillance audits take place annually (the first surveillance audit must be conducted by and no later than 12 months from the date of the certification audit). They are always carried out on the premises where the certified activities take place. rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 6 of 11
During the course of the surveillance audits, an assessment is made of the resolution of the nonconformities that emerged in previous audits, as well as a review of the implementation and effectiveness of the corrective actions taken. At the end of the Surveillance audit, the Audit Team issues a copy of the audit report to the client, who signs it. The report can be considered confirmed if within 60 calendar days no further notification is given to the Organisation. In the event of Non conformities, the Organisation must send KIWA CERMET, within 20 working days and on the relevant forms, its proposal for implementing the relative corrections and corrective actions agreed (along with an analysis and formalisation of the causes that generated them), with a timescale for implementation. KIWA CERMET will review the corrections and corrective actions proposed and will send written notification to the Organisation. For major non-conformities, if the Organisation is unable to demonstrate the immediate resolution of the major non-conformities, according to the assessment methods set by KIWA CERMET (audit on the Organisation s premises or, where possible, through documented evidence), the certification will be suspended or in more serious cases revoked (ref. 6). 5.8 Renewal Audits Within three years of the Certification audit, KIWA CERMET conducts a renewal audit designed to review in general the process or service certified, also concerning the documental aspects and an analysis of its effectiveness. To this end, the audit is extended to all requirements and to all services contemplated in this contract. It is always carried out on the premises where the processes covered by the certification take place. The methods of conducting the audit and managing the results, including any non-conformities, are the same as those of the surveillance audits. If any major non-conformities are found, where no resolution is possible before the certificate expires, KIWA CERMET will decide upon suspension of the certification (cfr. 6) or, in more serious cases, revocation of the certification (cfr. 6). If the result is positive, the certification decision can be made and the certificate subsequently renewed; while in the event of a negative outcome, or if the certificate expiry date is exceeded, the certificate will not be renewed and the Organisation will be charged accordingly, including expenses. If the Organisation intends to reactivate the certification, a new certification process must be embarked upon, as described in the preceding paragraphs of these Regulations. The date of the renewal audit may not be postponed beyond the certificate expiry date. Once the certificate is renewed its validity is confirmed for a further three years. 6. SUSPENSION, REVOCATION OR REDUCTION OF THE CERTIFICATION 6.1 Suspension of Certification Certification can be suspended: - At the request of the client Organisation; - At the decision of KIWA CERMET, in the event of: 1. The client failing to abide by the contractual conditions; 2. Failure to observe the requirements of these regulations and the economic conditions agreed with KIWA CERMET; 3. Variations to the contractual terms, put into effect without the approval of KIWA CERMET; 4. A sentence that has not yet been made final for facts regarding failure to comply with the statutory and regulatory requirements pertinent to the service or process being certified. Certification may not be suspended for a period of more than one year. Beyond this period the certification must be revoked, or where possible the scope of the certification reduced. rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 7 of 11
During the period of suspension the client Organisation loses the right to use the KIWA CERMET Certification mark, the certificate and is deleted from the lists of Organisations with certified processes or services. The conditions for restoring the suspended certification (including the necessary audit processes), will be set by KIWA CERMET based on the reasons that led to the suspension and depending on the duration of the suspension. KIWA CERMET reserves the right to communicate the measure of suspension to the Accreditation Bodies and/or to other third parties that may request it, as well as publishing the news on its own website. 6.2 Revocation or reduction of the certification Certification can be revoked or reduced: - At the request of the client Organisation; - At the decision of KIWA CERMET, in the event of: 1. The client failing to abide by the contractual conditions; 2. Failure to observe the requirements of these regulations and the economic conditions agreed with KIWA CERMET; 3. Variations to the contractual terms, put into effect without the approval of KIWA CERMET; 4. A sentence that has been made final for facts regarding failure to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements pertinent to the service or process being certified; 5. If the client Organisation does not put into practice the actions specified by KIWA CERMET for restoring the suspended certification, in such cases the certification will be revoked or, where possible, its scope will be reduced. Reduction of the certification involves a new Certificate being issued, stating the scope for which the certification is still valid, and surrender of the old certificate. The client must also promptly adapt all forms of communication and advertising regarding the certification to the new reduced scope. Once the certification has been revoked, the client Organisation loses the right to use the KIWA CERMET Certification mark and is deleted from the lists of Organisations with certified processes or services. KIWA CERMET will give notice of the revocation or reduction measure to the Sole Accreditation Body and/or to other third parties that may request it, as well as publishing the news on its own website. rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 8 of 11
7. USING THE MARK AND CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY The client with a certified process/service can use the KIWA CERMET certification mark (registered trademark) in one of the two versions in figures 1 or 2. The mark in figure 2 can only be used for certifications subject to control by the Accreditation Body ACCREDIA. The two marks, the Accreditation Body mark (AB) and the KIWA CERMET mark, must be used solely in a combined format. Figure 2 gives an example of the positioning. The minimum height shown will be in proportion to measurement M to maintain the proportions of the marks. min. 15.00 mm min. 12.60 mm ADD REF. STANDARD M 1/2M ADD REF. STANDARD. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Use of the mark of the Accreditation Body ACCREDIA is governed by the rules of the regulation ACCREDIA RG09, (which can be read or downloaded from the website www.accredia.it); for anything not specified in this document, or in the event of any discrepancies with it, the RG 09 takes priority. The rules to be followed for using the KIWA CERMET mark, for the purpose of guaranteeing transparency and correctness of the information to the end client as regards the certified characteristics, are: the mark must be accompanied by the references of the TD or SS according to which the service has been certified; the mark must only be used in association with the certified service, in order not to create confusion with other services supplied by the Organisation, but not covered by certification; it can be used on documents pertaining to the certified service, as long as it is associated with the name of the service itself; it must be used in such a way that ensures the service certification is not attributable to essential requirements different from those for which the assessment was carried out; for example it must not be used in such a way that it can be mistaken for a management system certification; it must be used over a white or clear background; it must be used with the colours of fig.1 including in the negative version (white, black and grey with 50% black); as an alternative to black, the colour Kiwa blue can be used (Pantone 2945); it can be enlarged or made smaller as long as the proportions in fig. 1 are guaranteed and must always ensure the words and numbers written on the mark itself can be read; if the combined mark is used the dimensions shown in figure 2 must be observed; for certification with reference to official standards, the standard must be stated with its year of publication; if used on transport or handling systems, the above rules must be observed. The above directions also apply in the event of transferrable marks being used (e.g. labels). The client must inform any staff who may use the mark of the above rules. As well as the above instructions, KIWA CERMET may set further rules for using the mark; in this case they will be specified in a special licence for using the mark, issued to the Organisation together with the certificate. rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 9 of 11
Conformity certificates issued by KIWA CERMET may also be reproduced (including in colour), as long as they faithfully reproduce the original. 8. COMPLAINTS, APPEALS AND DISPUTES 8.1 Complaints The Organisation may present documented complaints regarding its dealings with the certification activities provided by KIWA CERMET. Such complaints may arise from problems encountered during the certification process, such as for example, delays in completing the various phases and/or incorrect conduct by the Body s auditors. KIWA CERMET records all complaints, examines them and informs the claimant of the actions taken, within thirty days of receiving the complaint. KIWA CERMET will establish with the claimant whether and to what extent the content of the complaint and its resolution should be made public. 8.2 Appeals If the claimant is not satisfied with the response received, or intends to appeal against the decision of KIWA CERMET, an appeal may be presented in writing. The petitioner must state the grounds for his appeal and, where the appeal refers to a decision made by KIWA CERMET (e.g. the expression of a Major non-conformity), it must be presented to KIWA CERMET within 10 calendar days of the decision being communicated. KIWA CERMET will give the petitioner a written reply and will give notification of any actions to be taken within 30 days of the date of receiving the appeal. Any expenses incurred for dealing with the appeal will be borne by the unsuccessful party. A detailed account of how to present complaints and appeals is given on the website www.kiwacermet.it. 8.3 Disputes Should the outcome of the appeal not be accepted by the petitioner, the ensuing dispute will be submitted to a panel made up of one representative for KIWA CERMET, one representative for the petitioner and one representative to act as Chairperson, appointed by the two parties in order to review the appeal and find a mutually acceptable conclusion to the dispute. If the dispute cannot be resolved in a friendly manner, the dispute may be settled by the decision of a Sole Arbitrator, to be appointed in conformity with the Regulations of the Bologna Chamber of Arbitration. The parties expressly declare that they know and accept the aforementioned Arbitration Regulations. The Sole Arbitrator decides according to standard procedures and fairness, following the mandatory rules of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure. The expenses will be borne by the unsuccessful party. 9. CHANGES TO THE ORGANISATION The certified Organisation must inform KIWA CERMET promptly in writing of any significant changes it intends to make to its Certification system or of any changes that could affect conformity to the requirements of the Certification Scheme, including the site(s), scope, documentation, significant changes to the products or processes and/or the number of staff involved. In response to such changes, KIWA CERMET will assess the consequent actions to be taken (such as: the need to conduct a supplementary audit, if necessary accompanied by a revision of the certificate, or to undergo a new certification procedure). The Organisation is furthermore obligated to inform KIWA CERMET promptly of exceptional circumstances, court and or administration proceedings, accidents, emergencies that have occurred, or legal nonconformities. Failure to comply with these conditions can lead to suspension, or in more serious cases revocation, of the certification. rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 10 of 11
10. CHANGES TO THE CERTIFICATION SCHEME Where any substantial changes are made to the rules/requirements of the certification scheme, KIWA CERMET informs the Organisations either certified or being certified, taking into consideration any observations made by them; these changes can pertain to: The Reference Standard; These regulations; Additional requirements of the Accreditation Body or of the Body owning the scheme. KIWA CERMET will communicate these variations in writing to the client Organisations, indicating the type of variation, the methods and terms by which the Organisation must comply. If the Organisation cannot accept the changes, it may withdraw from the certification by giving written notification to KIWA CERMET. 11. TERMINATING THE CONTRACT In the event that the Organisation wishes to terminate the contract, unilateral termination during the period the Certification is in force requires a notification of 3 months prior to the scheduled audit. For prior notification of less than three months and greater than two weeks the client must pay 50% of the cost for the instalment scheduled for the subsequent activity as agreed in the contract. For periods of prior notification of less than two weeks the conditions specified in the General Terms and Conditions shall apply. rev. 5 of 2014-11-26 Page 11 of 11