Suspension & Withdrawal

If a certified organization persistently fails to comply with certification criteria and requirements, or if circumstances make it difficult to maintain validity, Korea Enterprise Certification may suspend or withdraw certification according to the relevant procedures.

Once suspension or withdrawal is decided, the organization may be restricted from claiming valid certification or using the certification mark and related statements.

Suspension temporarily stops the validity of certification for a set period. Certification may be suspended when:

• A major nonconformity is found and appropriate corrective action is not completed in time
• A surveillance or recertification audit is not carried out without good reason
• Certification criteria or the certification body's requirements are not complied with
• The organization does not cooperate with audits or procedures needed to maintain certification
• The certificate or certification mark is used improperly
• It is difficult to demonstrate that the certified system is still operating effectively
• Other circumstances make it difficult to maintain validity

During suspension, the organization must not present the certification as valid or promote it.

A suspended organization must take corrective actions and improvements to resolve the grounds for suspension. We review the corrective actions and evidence and, where necessary, conduct an additional audit to confirm that the grounds have been resolved.

If the grounds are properly resolved, certification may be restored; if requirements are not met or actions are not completed in time, this may lead to withdrawal.

Withdrawal ends the effect of certification; withdrawn certification is no longer recognized as valid. Certification may be withdrawn when:

• Grounds for suspension are not resolved in time
• Corrective actions during suspension are not adequate
• Certification criteria are violated persistently or seriously
• Certification is found to have been obtained by false or improper means
• The certificate or mark is used falsely or improperly
• The organization misleads others into believing matters outside the scope are certified
• Serious grounds arise that damage the credibility or fairness of certification
• Other circumstances make it impossible to maintain certification

An organization whose certification is withdrawn must immediately stop using the certificate and certification mark and remove any statement on its website, promotional material, products or other media that could suggest it holds the certification.

After withdrawal, it may not present the certification as valid or make claims based on it. ISO's guidance on certification also stresses that organizations must stop referring to certification once it no longer applies.

1. 1Issue affecting certification
2. 2Grounds and evidence reviewed
3. 3Suspension decided
4. 4Corrective action and improvement
5. 5Review and additional audit if needed
6. 6Suspension lifted or certification withdrawn

※ Specific procedures and criteria follow the certification rules and contract. Suspension and withdrawal are decided on the basis of objective audit and review results; if you disagree, you may file an appeal through our appeals and complaints procedure.