What is an Appeal?
An appeal is a formal request by an applicant or certified organisation to reconsider a certification decision made by BCERT. This differs from a complaint, which relates to dissatisfaction with BCERT's service or processes.
You may appeal:
- Refusal to grant initial certification
- Refusal to renew/recertify
- Suspension of certification
- Withdrawal of certification
- Scope reduction decisions
You may not appeal:
- Findings or nonconformities raised during audit (these should be addressed through the corrective action process)
- Fee disputes (contact us directly)
Complaints about BCERT's conduct → Submit a Complaint
How to Submit an Appeal
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1Prepare your submissionClearly state the decision being appealed, the grounds for appeal, and any supporting evidence.
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2Submit in writingEmail to appeals@bcert.uk or use the form below. Include your organisation name, certificate/application reference, and contact details.
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3AcknowledgementBCERT will acknowledge receipt within 2 working days.
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4Independent reviewThe appeal is assigned to a senior reviewer who was not involved in the original decision.
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5DecisionA written decision will be issued within 20 working days of receipt. For complex cases, an extension may be agreed.
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6EscalationIf you remain dissatisfied, the matter is escalated to BCERT's Impartiality Committee.
Our Commitments
- ✓ Impartiality — reviewed by someone not involved in the original decision
- ✓ Confidentiality — all submissions treated confidentially
- ✓ No disadvantage — submitting an appeal will not prejudice your certification status during review
- ✓ Timely — decision within 20 working days
- ✓ Documented — all appeals logged and available for accreditation body review
Submit an Appeal
All appeals are handled in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 Clause 9.7 and BCERT's Complaints & Appeals Procedure (PRO-004).