Step 1

Certification application

  • A business chooses a Certification Body   (the “CB”) among those authorised by Equalitas;
  • The CB sends a question sheet to the client, to collect information.
Step 2

Certification application to Equalitas Srl

  • At the same time, the business sends Equalitas the necessary data for preparing a «Contract for using the Equalitas standard and logos»;
  • Equalitas then sends the client a copy of the «Contract for using the Equalitas standard and logos».
Step 3

Confirmation of order

  • Signing and return of the certification agreement sent by the CB;
  • Signing and return of the «Contract for using the Equalitas standard and logos».
Step 4

Management and control

  • The business puts into place a sustainability management system;
  • The business prepares a sustainability report.
Step 5

Audit by the authorised CB

  • Planning of certification audits with qualified staff;
  • Certification audit inspections (see the dedicated section in the Standard);
  • Remedying of non-conformities and/or implementation of recommendations within the established deadline (see the dedicated section in the Standard).
Step 6

Approval by Equalitas

  • Following notification to the CB, Equalitas sends the official approval and Logo to the parties concerned, provided that all payments have been complied with.
Step 7

Notices

  • All notices to the business regarding the certification shall be approved by both the CB and Equalitas Srl.
Step 8

Maintaining the certification

  • In order to maintain the certification, the certified organisation must comply with the Supervisory Plan, which usually provides for one audit per year;
  • The organisation must comply with the technical and economic agreements entered into with the CB and Equalitas Srl (see the dedicated section of the Standard, Contract for using the Equalitas standard and logos).