To comply with IAF MD 28, IAF Mandatory Document for the Upload and Maintenance of Data on IAF Database, KAB has successfully connected KCN(KAB Certi-Net) with IAF CertSearch.
Now, all the data uploaded to KCN will be regularly
forwarded to IAF CertSearch.
Therefore, if KAB accredited certification
bodies in Korea ensure their data is properly uploaded to KCN, they will meet
the data upload requirements in IAF MD28.
Through IAF CertSearch, a platform for
global accreditation/certification, the information on KAB accredited
certification bodies and certified clients can now be accessed.
(Note) KCN(KAB Certi-Net) is a platform for
authenticating KAB accredited certifications. Currently, KCN is available only
in Korean, but an English service for foreign certification bodies will be launched
in September, allowing all KAB accredited certification bodies to use KCN.
Below is detailed information on IAF
CertSearch
1. What Is IAF CertSearch?
https://www.iafcertsearch.org/
IAF CertSearch is an online, real-time
database designed to authenticate accredited management system certifications
regardless of language or location, etc.
IAF, International Accreditation Forum, has
consolidated all information on accredited certification, which was previously managed
by individual accreditation bodies, into this integrated platform. This not
only to ensures the distinction of accredited certification and enhances user
convenience, but also strengthens the certification transparency by preventing
fake certifications.
Before IAF MD 28, data upload by
certification bodies was optional, resulting in only 35% of the certifications being
recorded in IAF CertSearch. For instance, information on a certified client by
a KAB accredited certification body was available in KCN, but not in IAF
CertSearch.
The limitation of IAF CertSearch was noted by
certification users, who strongly advocated for mandatory database entry. IAF collected
feedback and held a vote on “the Upload and Maintenance of Data on IAF Database”,
resulting in the publication of IAF MD 28 with 60% approval.
From October 26, the effective date of IAF
MD28, everyone can authenticate the accredited certification through IAF
CertSearch.
Detailed certificate information, including
standards, scope, status, a certification body, an accreditation body, will be
provided upon entering company name or certificate number in IAF CertSearch.
2. Changes and Actions for Certification
Bodies(CBs)
According to the accreditation manual (KAB-AM-CAB),
KAB requires accredited certification bodies to report their certification
performance regularly.
Considering IAF MD28, KAB will revise the
form (KAB-AM-F05), which is a mandatory document for accreditation application,
so that the applicant can choose how they upload their data: either by agreeing
to data transfer from KCN to IAF CertSearch or by uploading their data to IAF
CertSearch directly.
IAF MD28 outlines the requirements for
accreditation bodies and certification bodies to meet the IAF data base
principles, and states the guidance on meeting the requirements, the nonconformity
and the related sanctions.
Data requirements for accreditation and
certification bodies include:
Uploading data to the IAF Database at least
once a month. If an error or omission is identified, the corrected data must be
uploaded within two weeks.
(Note) KAB will send the data from KCN to
IAF CertSearch daily, so corrections will be reflected the next day.
The document explains that AB/CB may mark data
as ‘confidential’ within the IAF Database where appropriate and justifiable.
(Note) KAB will exclude confidential
information, such as the location of certified military camps, which is
regarded as national secretes. Moreover, if a client does not agree to disclose
confidential information, a certification body can record the reason in KCN.
With the connection between KCN and IAF
CertSearch complete, it is expected that all KAB-accredited certification
bodies will efficiently meet the requirements of IAF MD 28 without the need for
duplicate reporting.
Transparent and trustworthy information on
certified client and certifications is required globally across all the
industry sectors within supply chain.
As a full member of IAF, KAB, will actively
support this initiative to ensure that KAB accredited certificate are
authenticated and trusted in the global supply chain.