Obsequentia Pty Ltd is a self-financed independent organisation, which ensures that it retains its impartiality. Impartiality is also maintained through managing conflict of interest and ensuring objectivity of certification activities. The following controls have been implemented to ensure impartiality:

• Auditors are prohibited from participating in any audits of an organisation to which they have given consultancy services, or where they have any financial or commercial interest for a minimum period of two years prior to the date of application for certification by Obsequentia
• All Obsequentia staff / subcontractors and members of the Impartiality Committee are to sign a Statement of Impartiality prior to completing any work on behalf of Obsequentia
• When a conflict of interest has been identified and the conflict cannot be removed through the appointment of another auditor, certification services will not be provided by Obsequentia.
• Obsequentia recognise that the source of revenue for a certification body is organisations seeking certification of their management system(s) however, certification decisions are to be based solely on objective evidence of conformity against certification compliance requirements.

Any concerns relating to impartiality of certification services can be directed to the Obsequentia by e-mailing info@obsequentia.com.au

Obsequentia understands the importance of impartiality in carrying out its management system certification activities and managing conflict of interest thus ensuring the objectivity of its management system certification. Obsequentia staff or Impartiality Committee members may not disclose, divulge, or make accessible confidential information belonging to, or obtained through the certification of clients or Obsequentia documents. If Obsequentia is required by law or contract to release confidential information then the certification client will be notified in advance. Staff and Impartiality Committee members must exercise good judgement and care at all times to avoid unauthorised or improper disclosures of confidential information. Upon termination or at the end of their term with Obsequentia, staff and/or Impartiality Committee members are to return all documents, papers, and other materials, regardless of medium, which may contain or be derived from confidential information in their possession. Information about our certified client’s name, certified site location(s) and approval criteria may be requested by emailing info@obsequentia.com.au. A response will be provided within one business day.

Certification mark use

In instances where an organisation is accredited for quality, environment and/or safety then the Obsequentia logos outlined below are to be used.

Under no circumstances is the accreditation symbol to be reproduced in a colour combination at variance with that detailed in Figures 1, 2 or 3. The symbol(s) can be enlarged or reduced however, the text is to be clear to be able to read. Once the client is accredited Obsequentia will issue the certified company with the appropriate logo(s). Obsequentia require that the client organisation:

• Conforms to the requirements of Obsequentia Pty Ltd when making reference to its certification status in communication media such as the internet, brochures or advertising, or other documents.
• Does not make or permit any misleading statement regarding its certification
• Does not use or permit the use of a certification document or any part thereof in a misleading manner
• Upon suspension or withdrawal of its certification, discontinues its use of all advertising matter that contains a reference to certification, as directed by Obsequentia
• Amends all advertising material when the scope of certification has been reduced
• Does not allow reference to its management system certification to be used in such a way as to imply that Obsequentia certifies a product (including service) or process
• Does not imply that the certification applies to activities that are outside the scope of certification
• Does not use its certification in such a manner that would bring the certification body and/or certification system into disrepute and lose public trust
• Obsequentia will exercise proper control of ownership and take action to deal with incorrect references to certification status or misleading use of certification documents, marks or audit reports.

Such action could include requests for correction and corrective action, suspension, withdrawal of certification, publication of the transgression and, if necessary, legal action.

Product or product packaging

The logos in Figures 1, 2 and 3 are not to be used on a product or product packaging seen by the consumer or in any other way that may be interpreted as denoting product conformity. These logos are also not to be applied to laboratory tests, calibration or inspection reports. Such reports are deemed to be products in this context. In order to ensure the correct use of the logo Obsequentia will conduct random audits on the certified clients web site, brochures and advertising to ensure compliance with this procedure. The objectives of these audits is to ensure that certified clients are not making or permitting any misleading statement regarding its certification. Obsequentia will notify a client as soon as it becomes aware of a breach of the certification logo(s) immediately. In this instance the client will be issued with a corrective action and given the appropriate timeframe to ascertain the correct use of the accreditation logo. If at the end of the nominated timeframe appropriate corrective action has not been implemented then legal action is to commence.

Cease accreditation

If an organisation decides to cease their accreditation then the Client is to cease the use and distribution of any material that contains the accreditation symbol(s).

Complaint and Appeal handling process

On receipt of the complaint Obsequentia is to confirm whether the complaint relates to Obsequentia Pty Ltd. If the complaint relates to Obsequentia then the complaint and handling process is to be followed. Complaints are to be emailed to info@obsequentia.com.au. All complaints received are to be assessed by the Managing Director and/or someone independent from the complaint. The complainant is to be supplied with progress reports and the outcome. The purpose of the progress reports is to provide confidence to the complainant that their complaint is being taken seriously. Once the complaint has been assessed appropriate correction and corrective action(s) are to be taken. Information relating to the complaint is to be kept confidential throughout the complaint handling process and even after the complaint has been resolved. Accreditation bodies such as JAS ANZ are to be notified if a complaint or appeal remains unresolved between Obsequentia Pty Ltd and the complainant for more than three months. An appeal will not result in any discretionary actions against the complainant by Obsequentia. If a complainant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint handling process, they may refer the complaint to the relevant accreditation body, such as JAS ANZ.