Recognizing that change is a constant feature of today's commercial environment, TQS Registrars is committed to the concept of continuous improvement, working in tandem with clients to ensure on-going enhancement of systems and services. Regardless of a company's size or location, TQS Registrars adheres to its policy of providing support at all times.

Guiding Principles

TQS Registrars Ltd is fully aware of the constraints and pressures that an organization can be subjected to. We understand that any formal system and controls adopted must be flexible and responsive to the growth and development of a business.

In the firm belief that the audit and certification process should be conducted in a spirit of partnership and openness with the client, TQS Registrars Ltd has established a set of guiding principles, which will be applied throughout the relationship:

    We listen to our clients and respect their views and opinions.
    We are professional in our actions at all times, whilst remaining flexible and fair in our approach.
    We never promise something we cannot deliver.
    We respect and maintain client confidentiality at all times.

We work in partnership with our clients, to promote the concept of continuous improvement in all aspects of their business.

Confidence

TQS Registrars’ principles for inspiring confidence include

    Impartiality
    Competence
    Responsibility
    Openness
    Confidentiality
    Responsiveness to complaints

Impartiality Statement

It is a necessary objective of TQS Registrars to be completely impartial, in order to remain Accredited and to deliver certification services which provide the market place with confidence, while maintaining the professionalism and credibility of the audit and certification process. TQS Registrars therefore ensure that impartiality is upheld as an integral part of the Audit process. As TQS Registrars is a self-financed independent organization, this also ensures that we retain our impartiality.

TQS Registrars’ reputation for excellence is maintained by an independent Impartiality Committee, who have been appointed by the directors to monitor all aspects of our business activity. The TQS Registrars Impartiality Committee all have many years’ of direct experience in the individual sectors which they represent; thus enabling them to guarantee a wealth of knowledge and integrity for TQS Registrars.

TQS Registrars shall not accept applications for certification of organizations who report directly to a person or group who also have any type of operational responsibility for TQS Registrars.

TQS Registrars’ Offices shall not enter into any partnerships to provide consultancy. However, TQS Registrars may provide auditor training when contracted by another body to do so, but such contractual agreement may not be advertised in any manner without prior review and approval of the TQS Registrars Accredited Office.

The following seven controls shall be implemented and complied with by all audit and certification staff to ensure that this Impartiality Policy is maintained throughout the audit process.

    Auditors/Technical Experts are prohibited from participating in the Audit of any organization where they have provided consultancy or training (except where this has been professionally registered auditor training), or of any organization where they have any financial or commercial interest, for a minimum period of two years prior to the date of the organization’s Certification Application.
    Auditors/Technical Experts shall not disclose or discuss any detail, before or after an Audit, to any member of staff other than their direct Management or other members of the team, as required by their Secrecy and Non-Disclosure agreement signed on commencement of employment.
    Subcontracted Auditors/Technical Experts shall sign a Subcontractor Agreement and a Secrecy and Non-Disclosure Agreement and shall be included on the Office Potential Conflict Listing.
    TQS Registrars’ directly employed Management and Staff are prohibited from engaging in consultancy activities, which involve the active design, generation or implementation of a Management System.
    TQS Registrars’ directly employed Management and Staff are required to declare any financial interests or business activities on commencement of, and during, the period of employment. The details of which shall be recorded on the Office Potential Conflict Listing.
    TQS Registrars’ Management, Staff and Subcontracted Auditors/Technical Experts shall neither suggest nor imply that certification would be simpler, easier or less expensive if specific consultancy or training services were used. TQS Registrars’ Management, Staff and Subcontracted Auditors/Technical Experts shall not offer consultancy or training services to TQS Registrars’ clients to whom they have been assigned an audit; either during or after the audit has been completed.
    Certification of organizations supplying a service to TQS Registrars is not deemed to be an unacceptable threat to conflict of interest. However, certification of a company with whom in partnership TQS Registrars provides a direct service is deemed to be an unacceptable threat to impartiality. If such a situation develops, an alternative Accredited Certification Body shall be sourced to allow the continuation of the existing Certification.