Certification Information Availability

IPEC Inspection Ltd. is committed to transparency and fairness in its certification process in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024:2012.

Upon request, IPEC Inspection will provide relevant information to members of the public regarding;

• Certificate validity
• Certification requirements
• Assessment processes and methods
• Fees, policies, and procedures
• Rights, obligations, and appeals mechanisms for applicants and certified persons

Requests for information can be submitted via:

Email: certification@ipec.ie

Phone: +353 21 4305966

Or by using the “Contact Us” Form at https://www.ipec.ie/contact-us/

We ensure timely responses to all inquiries in line with our commitment to impartiality, confidentiality, and compliance with international standards.

Impartiality Statement

IPEC Inspection Ltd. derives its revenue from a diverse array of inspection and certification services, including the approval of welders, all in accordance with a documented and accredited Quality Management System (QMS). The QMS encompasses specific policies and procedures aimed at ensuring impartiality.

The management of IPEC Inspection Ltd. is steadfastly committed to maintaining impartiality in all its inspection & certification activities, which includes the management of any conflicts of interest which may arise.

To this end, all IPEC Inspection Ltd. admin staff, examiners, invigilators and certificate issuers are required to declare any external pecuniary interests and to sign a declaration, affirming that they are free of conflicts of interest and have conducted themselves with impartiality.

IPEC Inspection Ltd. offers its services equally to all applicants, without any financial, technical, or practical bias, and regardless of external pressures. We conduct regular and formal impartiality reviews and audits to identify any new threats to its impartiality and maintains a register of relationships that require regular review and management. These relationships are also reviewed and updated regularly.

Complaints and Appeals

It is mandatory for all accredited conformity assessment bodies to maintain a documented procedure for managing complaints and appeals. This protocol ensures that grievances are addressed systematically and impartially.

All complaints can be made in writing (email, letter, or online form) or verbally (phone and/or in person) to the Technical Manager of IPEC Inspection Ltd. within 60 calendar days of the incident. The complainant should provide sufficient details, including the nature of the complaint, relevant dates when it occurred, and any supporting evidence to verify the complaint.

IPEC Inspection shall acknowledge receipt promptly (e.g., within 3-5 working days) and resolve the complaint within a defined timeframe of 45 days.

You may also email certification@ipec.ie to lodge a complaint or appeal or if you wish to request further information about our Appeals and Complaints procedure.

Appeals against certification decisions must be lodged within 30 working days of receiving the decision. IPEC Inspection Ltd. shall make a decision on the appeal within a defined timeframe of 45 days.

Our Complaints and Appeals procedure serves two critical purposes: firstly, it guarantees the fair and consistent handling of our customer’s grievance, and secondly, it provides our customer with information regarding the higher authority to which the case may be subsequently appealed.

This ensures that the customer is fully informed of their rights and the process available to them for further recourse.

Moreover, the documented procedure underscores our commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in our services. We encourage customers to voice their concerns so that we may uphold the highest standards of integrity and quality in conformity assessment.

Use of Certificates, Logos and Marks

Issuance of Certificates

Certificates shall be issued only to individuals who have successfully met all requirements of the certification scheme. Certificates shall include, at a minimum;

• Name of the certified individual.
• Name of the certification body. (IPEC Inspection Ltd.)
• Title of the certification.
• Unique certificate number.
• Date of issuance and expiration (if applicable).
• Scope of the certification (if applicable).
• Signature or seal of the certification body.
• Certificates shall be issued in a secure format to prevent forgery or tampering.

Use of Certificates

• Certified individuals may use their certificates to demonstrate their certified status to employers, clients, or other stakeholders.
• Certificates shall not be altered, duplicated, or used in a misleading manner.
• Certified individuals must return or destroy their certificates if their certification is suspended, revoked, or expired.

Permitted Use of Logos and Marks

• Certified individuals may use the certification mark/logo on business cards, resumes, email signatures, and other professional materials to indicate their certified status.
• The certification mark/logo must be used in a manner that does not imply endorsement of products, services, or organizations by the certification body.
• The certification mark/logo must not be altered, distorted, or used in a way that could misrepresent the certification status.

Prohibited Use of Certificates, Logos, and Marks

• Certificates, logos, and marks shall not be used by individuals whose certification has expired, been suspended, or withdrawn.
• Certificates, logos, and marks shall not be used in a manner that suggests the certification body endorses a product, service, or organisation.
• Certificates, logos, and marks shall not be used in a way that could mislead or deceive stakeholders about the scope or validity of the certification.

Monitoring and Enforcement

• The certification body shall periodically monitor the use of certificates, logos, and marks by certified individuals and other stakeholders.
• In cases of misuse, the certification body shall take appropriate corrective actions, which may include:

–              Issuing a warning to the individual or organisation.
–              Requiring the immediate cessation of misuse.
–              Suspending or withdrawing certification in cases of repeated or severe misuse.
–              Suspending all further certifications services for the individual and/or organisation.

Requests for further information can be submitted via:

Email: certification@ipec.ie

Phone: +353 21 4305966

Or by using the “Contact Us” Form at https://www.ipec.ie/contact-us/