Certification Processes
Bliss CB processes and procedures can be accessed in two ways.
Review our procedures
Certification Audit Process Flow Diagram
This process describes BLISS CB LLC’s certification audit activities across the full certification cycle, including initial certification, surveillance, and recertification audits. It outlines the high-level sequence of audit planning, audit execution, reporting, corrective action handling, technical review, and certification decision-making. The process ensures audits are conducted within defined timeframes, corrective actions are objectively reviewed, and certification decisions are made independently through technical review. Records related to audit reports, reviews, and certification status are maintained in accordance with accreditation and confidentiality requirements.
Audit Planning Process Flow Diagram
This process describes how BLISS CB LLC plans and schedules certification audits for new and existing clients in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 accreditation requirements. It outlines the high-level approach used to determine audit timing, audit type (initial, surveillance, transfer, or recertification), and audit team assignment based on certification scope, employee count, and applicable EA codes and schemes. The process ensures audits are planned consistently, communicated clearly to clients and auditors, and conducted within defined certification cycle requirements, while maintaining impartiality and appropriate separation of responsibilities. Records related to audit planning and scheduling are maintained to support effective oversight and traceability of certification activities.
New Customer Sales Process Flow Diagram
This process describes BLISS CB LLC’s approach to managing inquiries and applications for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification services. It outlines the high-level steps used to review client requests, confirm that the requested certification scope and EA codes fall within BLISS CB’s accredited scope, and prepare certification audit quotations in accordance with applicable IAF MLA requirements. The process ensures that only services within BLISS CB’s accreditation are offered, that contractual arrangements are established prior to audit planning, and that declined or out-of-scope requests are appropriately communicated and recorded.
Complaint and Improvement Action Procedure
This procedure defines BLISS CB LLC’s approach for receiving, recording, evaluating, and addressing complaints, concerns, and improvement opportunities related to its ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification activities. It applies to complaints from clients, interested parties, accreditation bodies, and internal sources, and ensures that all issues are handled in a fair, consistent, and transparent manner. The process includes defined methods for recording issues, determining appropriate actions (corrective action, risk mitigation, or continual improvement), monitoring effectiveness, and maintaining records. The procedure supports continual improvement of certification services while safeguarding impartiality and conformity with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and accreditation requirements.
Certificate Issue & Certification Mark Rules Procedure
This procedure defines BLISS CB LLC’s approach to the issuance, maintenance, revision, suspension, and withdrawal of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates, as well as the authorized use of BLISS CB certification marks and applicable accreditation marks. Certificates are issued only following an independent technical review and certification decision, and remain subject to ongoing compliance with surveillance and recertification requirements. The procedure establishes controls to ensure certification marks are used accurately and not in a misleading manner, and that ownership of certificates and marks is retained by BLISS CB and the applicable accreditation body.
As part of its certification responsibilities, BLISS CB LLC maintains accurate certification status information within the IAF CertSearch database, including the issuance, suspension, withdrawal, or reinstatement of accredited certificates, in accordance with applicable accreditation and IAF requirements. This supports transparency for interested parties while ensuring that public certification records remain current and reliable.
Management of Impartiality Procedure
This procedure describes how BLISS CB LLC identifies, evaluates, and manages threats to impartiality associated with its ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification activities. It establishes controls to address potential risks such as self-interest, self-review, familiarity, intimidation, and financial or organizational pressures that could influence certification decisions. The process includes defined safeguards to ensure independence between sales, auditing, technical review, and certification decision-making activities, and prohibits the provision of consultancy services that could compromise impartiality.
BLISS CB LLC is supported by an independent Impartiality Committee, which includes representation from interested parties and provides oversight of impartiality risks, reviews client appeals, and advises on the effectiveness of mitigation measures. The procedure also ensures that impartiality expectations are communicated to all personnel and contractors, and that concerns related to impartiality may be raised without fear of retaliation. Records of impartiality risk assessments, controls, and committee activities are maintained in accordance with accreditation requirements.
Client Appeals Procedure
This procedure defines BLISS CB LLC’s process for receiving, reviewing, and resolving client appeals related to certification decisions and audit conclusions associated with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification activities. The appeals process is designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and impartiality, and includes safeguards to prevent discrimination or conflicts of interest. Appeals are reviewed independently with involvement from BLISS CB’s Impartiality Committee, ensuring that individuals participating in the appeal review were not involved in the related audit, technical review, or certification decision. Records of appeals, decisions, and outcomes are maintained in accordance with accreditation requirements, and clients are kept informed of the appeal status and final determination.