1 Terms and Conditions

The following terms and conditions apply to all agreements for the services and licences provided by Altus in connection with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001. They apply to all such agreements.

2 Definitions

Auditee means the organisation, which is intended to be, or is certificated.

A certificate is a certificate issued by Altus that states that the management system operated by the auditee complies with specified standards, and any copies issued by Altus.

Client means the person with whom the contract is made with Altus for the supply of certification services and to whom a licence is granted for the use of the Marks.

The Impartiality Committee is the Impartiality Committee of Altus.

A Mark means the Altus certification mark and the other marks which indicate that the Auditee is certificated (including that of UKAS).

Altus means Altus Certification Ltd acting through its CEO.

Management System is that part of the Auditee’s management system that meets the Standard’s requirements.

Standard means the management system standard to which the auditee is assessed, as well as any supporting guidelines or supplements.

UKAS means the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.

Regional Management Structure (RMS) – A committee within an SMS that operates at the regional level is responsible for 9104-series standards conformance in their respective regions. They perform the same functions as the SMS, under the control of the SMS within their sector. Sector Management Structure (SMS) – A committee established in an IAQG sector that manages the application and oversight of the ICOP scheme.

Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS) – The web-based IAQG application containing information on participating National Aerospace Industry Associations (NAIAs), Accreditation Bodies (ABs), Training Provider Approval Bodies (TPABs), Auditor Authentication Bodies (AABs), accredited CBs, AQMS auditors, certified organisations, and audits, which are approved and recognised by the Sector Management Structure (SMS) through the ICOP scheme.

Organisation Certification Analysis Process (OCAP) – An interactive process between the organisation and CB to determine the organisation’s AQMS scope and associated certification audit program and conduct a risk assessment for certification within the ICOP scheme.

Performance-Based Surveillance/Recertification Process (PBS/RP) – ICOP scheme AQMS surveillance and recertification optional process based on objective evidence and demonstration that a certified organisation continually maintains a conforming, effective, and high-performing AQMS.

Industry Controlled Other Party (ICOP) – An IAQG and industry-managed scheme for the audit and certification of an organisation’s AQMS by accredited other party CBs, in accordance with the requirements defined in the 9104-series standards.

International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) – A non-profit global association comprised of member companies from the ASD industries, whose mission is to achieve significant performance improvements worldwide in terms of quality, delivery, and cost, through the development and deployment of standards, industry oversight, and guidance materials for use at all levels of the global supply chain.

International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG Other Party Management Team (OPMT) – An organisation comprised of member companies within the ASD industries who design, develop, manufacture, and support original equipment at system or subsystem levels; established by the IAQG to manage the ICOP scheme.

International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) Sector – A sub-structure of the IAQG that consists of members in a specific geographic area (i.e., Americas, Europe, Asia/Pacific).

3 License to use the Certification Mark and Certificate

Subject to the Auditee and the Client fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder and during the currency of this agreement, Altus grants a licence for the Auditee to use the Marks and the Certificate.

Copyright in the Marks and the Certificate remains vested in Altus, and the copyright owners of the marks are not Altus’s owners.

The use of the Marks is ruled by the document “How to Use our Logos.”

Incorrect references to the certification system or misleading use of Certificates in advertisements, sales brochures, etc. is unacceptable.

Neither the Marks nor the Certificate may be used in any way unacceptable to Altus and bring Altus or the certification system into disrepute.

Altus may revoke the Auditee’s licence to use the Marks and terminate the Certificate if the Auditee or the Client fails to comply with any of these terms and conditions or if the Client becomes bankrupt or makes an arrangement with its creditors or enters into liquidation, (except for purposes of reconstruction) or has a receiver appointed, or if the Client fails to pay fees in due time, or if Altus loses its relevant accreditation.

Under suspension or after withdrawal or cancellation, the Auditee shall refrain from further promoting its certification.

4 Services to be provided by Altus

Altus will provide the Client with copies of the Certificate when all due fees have been paid.

Altus will provide the services as quoted and further defined in any orders Altus accepts.

5 Confidentiality

Altus shall keep all information of the Auditee and the Client in confidence, except insofar as such information is in the public domain, unless the Auditee or Client gives their permission for its release, unless such information must be released by law or for Altus’s accreditation, or unless the information is part of Altus’s register of assessed firms, or other public databases specific to the certification scheme.

Clients should refrain from submitting any documentation or information to Altus or any representative of Altus, either on-site or remotely, if it contains information that would breach any legislation, regulatory or customer requirements.

5.1 Openness

Any public member may request access or disclosure of any client’s certification status (i.e., granting, extending, maintaining, renewing, suspending, reducing the scope of, or withdrawing of certification) to gain confidence in the integrity and credibility of certification. Altus shall provide this information promptly. They may also request information about our audit process and certification process.

Altus shall provide access to interested parties requesting information on the conclusion of a specific audit, which will be provided with relevant non-confidential information about the conclusion of an audit.

The Auditee and the Client shall do the same with respect to Altus’s information.

6 SSIP

Client information shall be uploaded on the SSIP register in accordance with the SSIP Rules and Bylaws. This information is publicly available.

Registered SSIP Members must ensure that all references to SSIP membership they use on their website, letterheads, stationery, and any other materials reflect the aims and ethos of SSIP.

7 Duties

7.1 Duties of the Auditee

The Auditee shall:

  • Maintain a Documented Management System which conforms to the certificated standards;
  • Provide Altus with a copy of the documentation which describes its
  • Management System as required by Altus (insofar as the documentation is held electronically, the Auditee shall provide Altus with a copy of the information on paper or electronic media at Altus’s choice);
  • Advise Altus promptly of any intention to change the Management System or any other changes to the organisation which could affect the conformity or scope of the certified management system;
  • Not change the Management System in such a way without Altus’s confirmation that such a change would not invalidate the Certificate.
  • Give access, accommodation, and reasonable office facilities to Altus’s and UKAS’s staff at all reasonable and necessary times to enable them to assess the compliance of the Management System with the Standard by examination of information however held, by interviewing the Auditee’s staff, and by examining processes, records and products;
  • Ensure that appropriate documentation, records and staff are available to ensure that Altus can effectively assess all relevant aspects of the system;
  • Only claim that it is certified concerning those activities for which it has been granted certification;
  • Cease the use of the certified logos in cases of suspension or withdrawal of the certification;
  • Not bring Altus into disrepute by inappropriate claims of certification;
  • Make its complaints file available to Altus and UKAS on request.
  • Comply with the requirements for certification, and supply any information needed for assessment;
  • Nominate for Altus approval a management representative and deputies as necessary to be responsible for all matters relating to the Certificate;
  • Keep copies of audit reports and other associated documentation for a minimum of 5 years;
  • Inform Altus immediately if it becomes aware of any legal challenge regarding the safety or legality of any products or services that it provides that are covered by the scope of its Altus certification.
  • Provide Altus, upon request, with any information relating to complaints received, including the investigation outcomes.
  • Inform Altus, without delay, of a serious incident or breach of regulation necessitating the involvement of the competent regulatory authority.

7.2 Duties of the Client

The Client shall:

  • Pay Altus’s fees as agreed;
  • Ensure that the Auditee fulfils his obligations hereunder and within this document
  • Inform Altus, without delay, of the occurrence of a serious incident or breach of regulation necessitating the involvement of the competent regulatory authority
  • Inform Altus of any changes without delay of matters that may affect the capability of the management system to continue to fulfil the requirements of the certified standard. This includes, for example:
    • The legal, commercial, and organisational status of ownership;
    • Organisation and management (e.g., key managerial, decision making or technical staff);
    • Contact address and sites;
    • Scope of operations under the certified management system;
    • Significant changes to the management system and processes

A certified organisation must abide by the above expectations to avoid withdrawal of Certification and from the ICOP scheme and the OASIS database listings.

8 Fees

Altus shall charge the Client fees for the services and licences provided. The fee rates shall be according to Altus’s quoted prices for the service or licence concerned. During the stage 1 assessment, if it is deemed that the quote issued was inaccurate due to the information provided during the application and more time may be required. In that case, you may be subject to a quotation amendment before your stage 2 assessment takes place.

Fees may be quoted as a firm price explicitly or as an estimate.

Fees are due fourteen days in advance of the activity to which they relate, except for fees which are ascertained only after the activity is complete and are due thirty days after their invoice date. Fees shall be paid by the due date.

Where fees are quoted as a daily rate, the nominal day is eight hours; however, a day’s fee may be charged for five or more hours. Activities that are a few hours duration and at the auditors’ office may be charged at an hourly rate prorated from the daily fee rate.

Unless quoted otherwise, our fees include all certificates, expenses, subsistence and travel fees. Value-added tax will be charged as necessary.

Twenty-one days after payment is due, interest is payable on overdue charges at HSBC base rate plus 5% per month.

9 Postponement and Cancellation

Suppose the Client or Auditee postpones or cancels a planned activity with less than 28 days notice before the start of the activity. In that case, Altus will charge the Client an additional fee for postponement or cancellation. This fee will be greater than half the quoted charges for the activity or one person-day’s fee rate.

If cancellation is less than seven days’ notice before the start of the audit, then the total audit fees will be payable by the Auditee.

Cancellations must be received in writing, acknowledging the cancellation fee will be applied.

In the case of cancellation by the Client or Auditee during an activity, the whole quoted, estimated or actual fee for the activity will be charged.

Neither Altus nor the client shall be entitled to a cancellation/compensation fee where cancellation is due to Altus’s act or omission.

Altus may cancel an activity if its fees are unpaid by the due date; in this case, a cancellation fee shall be due to Altus.

10 Termination of the Agreement

Either party may cancel this agreement by giving three months’ notice. Termination of the agreement shall lead automatically to termination and cancellation of the Certificate(s).

Altus may instigate termination of the agreement should the fees owed to Altus not be paid in full and on time. Any outstanding fees will remain due even after termination.

On termination of the Certificate (however determined), the Auditee shall:

  • Immediately discontinue use of the Marks and the Certificate
  • Remove all references to such from all material and electronic media
  • Return the Certificate (and all copies) to Altus.

Altus does not charge certification fees. Unless stated otherwise, all fees charged represent audit time only. At the time of cancellation, Altus will request the certificate(s) back immediately, as the certificate(s) is (are) issued free of charge, and no refund will be due to the auditee. If a client refuses to schedule an audit with Altus, or if a suitable date cannot be agreed upon in line with the visit cycle, Altus may decide to cancel the certificate, and again, no refund will fall due. In both

cases, the client must immediately return the certificate(s), cease using the Altus logo(s),, and not make any claim to be certified. Altus will amend the certificate validator on www.Altus.com to reflect that the certificate is no longer valid and has been cancelled. Any party or person contacting Altus to enquire if a certificate is valid will be informed that the certificate(s) have been cancelled.

Notification of wishing to transfer your certification(s) from Altus to another Certification Body shall be taken as notification of termination, and the above ‘termination of the agreement’ terms shall apply.

11 Related Documents

The information in this document is part of the Client and Altus agreement. Altus may amend the information in this document occasionally. Altus shall give the Client notice of such change.

12 General Terms and Conditions

Copyright shall remain Altus’s property, but the Client and the Auditee shall have a licence to copy only for internal use all copyrighted material produced by Altus in the course of the agreement, conditional on all due fees having been paid.

The client agrees to Altus subscribing to the Altus newsletter system and receiving Altus newsletters on occasions with information they feel will be of use; the contact details are only used for internal use and will not be sold or divulged to any other party. The client may unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time.

The Client and the Client, on behalf of the Auditee, hereby consent to Altus’s subcontracting its work as it sees fit.

Under no circumstances shall Altus be liable under the law of contract, tort, or otherwise for any loss of profits or contracts or any indirect or consequential loss or damage.

The Client shall indemnify Altus against all claims, costs, actions and demands arising from Altus’s services (except due to Altus’s negligence), the use or misuse of the Marks or the Certificate, and any breach of this agreement.

Notices will be deemed served 48 hours after being posted and recorded delivery to the addressee’s last known address.

Both parties agree that this contract is their complete and exclusive agreement. English Law shall govern the contract and both parties shall submit to the jurisdiction of the English Courts.

13 Remote Audits

If the visit is to be undertaken remotely or partially remotely, your assessor will liaise with you regarding the process. Suppose the visit will be undertaken remotely or partially remotely. Can you please ensure that the relevant records/documents are available in a suitable format to present on the chosen platform.

If you have any questions regarding the remote audit process, or if you would like to undertake a test of the chosen platform, please do not hesitate to contact us in good time before the audit. Please note that the audit may be delayed and or additional audit time required, should relevant information not be available to present during the audit.