Why do I have to join?
There is no compulsion to join. The Scheme is entirely voluntary and any decision to join must be based on the business needs of the individual.
Is it possible to have more than one business under one membership?
Each individual business must hold its own membership.
What can I do if I am not sure if I meet the standards?
We can arrange a pre assessment where an assessor will be able to show you where you may need to make changes in order to meet the standards.
When will I receive my assessment and who will the assessor be?
Once your SQWV Ltd application form has been processed, your assessment will be allocated to the assessor covering your local area, providing a conflict of interest does not arise. If a conflict of interest should occur, please notify the Certification Provider and your assessment will be allocated to an alternative assessor. A minimum of one assessment will be carried out per site every 18 months.
What does an assessment entail?
On initial contact from the assessor a pre-assessment check will be carried out and the assessor will talk through the assessment process with you and explain what is required. Once the assessment has been completed the assessor will agree any non compliance(s) with the Scheme Standards. You will be asked to sign the visit record summarising any agreed non compliances, and a copy will be left with you.
Who assesses the assessor?
The assessor undergoes shadow assessments annually, carried out by a Lead Assessor. Assessor training meetings are held two or three times annually dependent on any changes being made within the Scheme and Scheme Standards.
How do I know if my membership has been approved?
After your assessment the assessor submits a report to be considered by the Certification Officer. If non compliances were found at the assessment they will be detailed in the Findings Report and you will be notified how you should submit details of corrective action you have, or plan to take. On receipt of a Findings Report with no non compliances or once confirmation of the necessary corrective actions has been received by the Certification Provider, a letter of approval will be sent to you, along with your Certificate of Conformity.
What happens if I have non-compliances?
You will be notified of the corrective actions necessary and the timescale for completion, but you will not be certified until these actions have been completed and approved by the Certification Provider.
What happens if I have any non-compliances which may not be rectified for a number of months?
The Certification Provider will agree with you a realistic timescale in which you will be able to action any non-compliance e.g. you may not have a chiller at present, but agree that one will be available by a certain date. Your request for additional time to rectify non compliances must be agreed by the Certification Officer at the Certification Provider, and this will be confirmed with you in writing.
When will the Certificate and SQWV Ltd labels be issued to me?
New members will receive their Certificate of Conformity and SQWV Ltd labels once membership has been approved. Certificates do not have an expiry date to avoid the need to re-issue every year. A new certificate may be issued if any company or SQWV Ltd information changes e.g. change of address. If your membership has been withdrawn, you will receive a letter from the SQWV Ltd Scheme Manager asking you to return or destroy your current SQWV Ltd certificate and SQWV Ltd labels. If you re-join the Scheme a new certificate will be issued on approval.