Audits and Certifications

A) The audit process;

The client organization initiates the Registration Process either by a written notice or through a verbal request for information from PGR. The PM or designated PGR employee will record this information in the company database for record and reference purposes. In response to the request, PGR provides the organization with a written quote and application form that is emailed from PGR’s database. PGR does not and will not certify another CB; does not and will not provide any consulting services; does not and will not provide internal audits of certified clients. PGR does not and will not certify a client when there is a threat to impartiality with a consulting firm. PGR does not and will not outsource audits to any consulting organization nor will do any marketing linked to any consulting organizations. Pre-assessments will be conducted utilizing the same process as the registration audit with the exclusions of corrective actions (Form PR-3 is still used to document any nonconformities, but formal corrective actions are not required to be submitted), audit recommendations and logo use. Impartiality of PGR and the selected auditor(s) is determined by the Program Manager and/or President as described in ISO/IEC 17021:2015 and the PGR quality manual. Further information can be obtained in PGR procedure PR-01.

B) Granting, refusing, maintaining, renewing, suspending, restoring or withdrawing certification or
expanding or reducing the scope of certification; Transfer of Certificate procedure PR-03:

The client’s organization initiates the Registration Transfer Process via a written or verbal request for information. In response, PGR follows the appropriate informational path after first ensuring the organizations NACE codes fall under PGR's accredited scope categories. At this time, PGR also requests a copy of the organizations current certificate if available and the reason for seeking a transfer. Suspension, withdraw or cancelation procedure PR-04: Registrant who commits a prohibited act as defined in PGR Procedures, the Registration Agreement, or other publications, are advised in writing by the President of the fact of the delinquency. This communication is termed a Warning. Should the Registrant not have satisfactorily cured the delinquency by the deadline, the President will issue the Registrant a letter, submitted by registered mail, officially suspending the registration. Registrant is instructed to cure the delinquency within 30 days to prevent further action. The Termination process is invoked in the following circumstances: A Registrant, having been under Suspension once during the previous 12 calendar months, or having received a Final Warning within the past 6 calendar months, commits another prohibited act. 2. The above not withstanding, President instructs, by registered mail, to the terminated Registrant to return Registration certificate and any documents in their possession bearing the PGR registration logo and to discontinue any advertising that references being certified. Further
information can be found in procedure PR-04.

C) Types of management systems and certification schemes;

PGR conducts quality management system audits per the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard. Certifications are issued in three
year increments. There are surveillance audits conducted each year to verify compliance.

D) Use of the certification body's name and certification mark or logo;

PGR assessors examine
Certificate Holders; use of the Registration and Accreditation Marks as a routine part of Surveillance Assessments. In addition, Certificate Holders; documented procedures must be found to include procedures for enforcing PGRs regulations for the proper use and protection of the Registration and Accreditation Marks. Non-Certificate Holders found to use the PGR or PGR accreditation agencies' marks— including former Certificate Holders—receive one written warning, via registered mail return receipt requested, to cease and desist, with a specific deadline for acquiescence. Should the misuse continue; the Program Manager refers the matter to the President and appropriate legal counsel for corrective actions and legal remedies. The PM also notifies concerned regulatory and accreditation authorities of the specifics of the matter. Further information can be found in PGR procedure PR-07.

E) Requests for information, complaints and appeals;

In the case of a complaint about PGR, the President or the Program Manager (PM) evaluates and investigates the complaint. This process includes notifying and acquiring a response for any PGR employee or sub-contractor connected with the complaint. After taking all appropriate measures to ascertain the substance and validity of the complaint, the President decides upon a course of action, notifying complainant of his decision within 30 days of the complaint. Further information can be found in PGR procedure PR-12. In all disputes,
the President will obtain the pertinent information from interested parties. The President in light of PGR policies and applicable standards evaluates the dispute. All reasonable efforts will be used to resolve the dispute; and if the dispute cannot be resolved, the President will advise the interested parties of their right to appeal the issue and provide a copy of this procedure. Further information can be found in PGR procedure PR-13.

F) Impartiality:

G) Geographical area of operations:

PGR currently issues certifications in the United States. However, if needed, this can be expanded. Contact PGR for further information.