Q: Will ABs need to be party to the Data Management Agreement between CBs and IAF?
Answer
No – this will be managed by IAF Database LLC and is a direct agreement between IAF Database LLC and the CBs for the sole purpose of data management. CBs simply agree to the terms when they activate their account on IAF CertSearch.
Q: Will ABs need to change their agreement with CBs to make upload of certification data mandatory?
Answer
This will depend on the current contractual arrangements of each AB. It is not expected that ABs will need to change their contractual agreement with CBs.
All IAF Accreditation Body members are required to comply to IAF Mandatory Documents. Necessary changes with CBs may need to be made to ensure CBs conform with the IAF Mandatory Document for the IAF Database.
Q: Will ABs have to arrange for the Data Management Agreement to be signed by CBs?
Answer
No IAF Database LLC will arrange for these agreements to be agreed to via the website. IAF Database LLC will also keep a record of all of these agreements.
CBs simply agree to the terms when they activate their account on IAF CertSearch.
Q: How will the database be made mandatory?
Answer
To mandate the upload of certification data to IAF CertSearch there needs to be a mechanism and obligation for AB members to achieve this goal, this is why the IAF Mandatory Document for the database was created by IAF members
Q: What if we are prohibited from mandating the database?
Answer
If, for any valid reason (e.g. national regulatory or governmental requirements) an AB or CB is prohibited from meeting these requirements, the AB or CB will need to provide an appropriate justification to either IAF DMC (ABs) or to their AB(s) in the case of CBs.
