ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 Clause 9.7

Appeals Procedure

Formal process for organisations to appeal certification decisions made by BCERT Group.

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

  1. 1
    Prepare your submission
    Clearly state the decision being appealed, the grounds for appeal, and any supporting evidence.
  2. 2
    Submit in writing
    Email to [email protected] or use the form below. Include your organisation name, certificate/application reference, and contact details.
  3. 3
    Acknowledgement
    BCERT will acknowledge receipt within 2 working days.
  4. 4
    Independent review
    The appeal is assigned to a senior reviewer who was not involved in the original decision.
  5. 5
    Decision
    A written decision will be issued within 20 working days of receipt. For complex cases, an extension may be agreed.
  6. 6
    Escalation
    If 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

Appeals are submitted through our secure Complaints & Appeals form. Select “Appeal” as the submission type, give the certificate or application reference and the decision you are appealing, and set out your grounds. You will receive an acknowledgement within 2 working days.

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).