A Certification Body Conducts The Certification
An ISO 17065 Accredited Certification Body, will conduct the assessment and certification of a fishery. The Certification Body is responsible for ensuring the competency and consistency of assessment practices.
Assessment Process
The assessment process from application to certification contains seven major steps as highlighted in the chart below. After certification, the fishery enters annual surveillance assessments for continuing certification. Re-certification occurs after a period of five years with annual surveillance audits taking place within this period.
RFM Initial Certification And Recertification Assessment Stages
- Application and Applicant Review
Applicant review performed by CB
Optional – Development of a validation report produced by CB - Notification to Public/Stakeholders
CB puts out notification of the assessment and the assessment team. Stakeholders register with CB. - Assessment Verification/Information Review Site Visits, Assessment Report
Performed by CB and its Assessment Team of experts. - External Peer Review
Conducted by minimum of two independent experts; these Peer Reviewers are not members of the CB staff or Assessment Team, but are under contract by CB - Draft Assessment Report for Public Comment
For initial certifications or recertifications, there will be a 30-day comment period open to registered stakeholders. Comments are submitted to the CB via their website. - Final Assessment Report
Final Report for presentation to the Certification Committee. The Report contains all information from previous steps and a recommendation from the Assessment Team for certification. - Certification Decision
Conducted by an independent Certification Committee; the Committee members are not members of the Assessment Team or Peer Reviewers. Final report and Certification Decision will be posted on www.rfmcertification.org
RFM Annual Surveillance Audit Assssment Stages
- Notification to Public/Stakeholders
CB puts out notification of the Surveillance Assessment and Assessment Team. - Assessment Verification/Information Review Site Visits, Assessment Report
Performed by CB and its Assessment Team of experts - Final Assessment Report
Final Report for presentation to the Certification Manager / Team. The Report contains all information from previous steps and a recommendation from the Assessment Team for continued certification. - Annual Surveillance Audit Certification Decision
Conducted by an independent certification Manager/Team who are not members of the Assessment Team or Peer Reviewers. Final Report and Annual Surveillance Audit Certification Decision will be posted on www.rfmcertification.org