A preliminary assessment from LRQA reviews your management system against specific elements of a standard. You set the programme for the visit, which does not need to cover all clauses of the standard. This assessment is a "dry run" before certification or verification, and identifies areas which may need attention. We will assess how ready your system is for a certification assessment.

This assessment gives you the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have about your system, or the assessment process, with us. The assessment will help you to identify any weaknesses in the management system, and will help the assessor estimate realistic timescales for the certification assessment. If the assessment reveals any major deficiencies, it is important that you allow for a period of consolidation and maturity before we carry out the certification assessment.

This type of assessment uses a restricted sampling technique. The assessment will concentrate on interpretation and implementation of the relevant requirements rather than on detailed conformity. By using a sampling approach we can give you guidance on the strengths or weaknesses of your system.

So that you get the most out of the visit, you should consider how best to plan the activities in to the time available so the assessor concentrates on your major areas of concern. You can request that particular operations of your business are examined. For example, this could involve a focused assessment on one business area, or one clause of the standard. Alternatively, you may want the assessment to consist of a more generalised approach with samples being taken from a wide range of your business areas and activities.

To find out more, contact us using the links below or fill in a request for information form.