Evidence that withstands scrutiny
Evidence that withstands scrutiny
Transfer recognises a certificate another accredited body issued. It is a review with defined minimum content — and several conditions turn it back into a new certification.
| The rule | What it requires | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Only valid accredited certification transfers | Transfer applies to existing, valid certification granted by an accredited body under a recognised multilateral arrangement. Certification outside such an arrangement is treated as a new client. | IAF MD 2:2023, Issue 2 Version 2, clauses 2.1.1–2.1.2 |
| Suspended certification is not transferred | Certification known to be under suspension is not accepted for transfer. | IAF MD 2:2023, clause 2.1.2 |
| The review has mandatory minimum content | Eight items must be covered, including the reasons for the transfer, the audit reports, the status of outstanding nonconformities, complaints, and regulatory engagement. | IAF MD 2:2023, clause 2.2.4 |
| Missing reports end the transfer route | If the required audit reports are not made available, or a surveillance or recertification audit has not been completed as required, the organisation is treated as a new client. | IAF MD 2:2023, clause 2.2.4(5) |
| A pre-transfer visit is not an audit | Where the documentation review identifies a visit as needed, it is carried out by someone with the competence required of an audit team for that scope — but it remains a review, not an audit. | IAF MD 2:2023, clauses 2.2.2–2.2.3 |
| Findings close before any certificate issues | No certification is issued until corrections for all outstanding major nonconformities are verified and plans for all outstanding minor nonconformities are accepted. | IAF MD 2:2023, clause 2.3.1 |
| A clean transfer keeps the existing cycle | Where the review identifies no problems, the certification cycle is based on the previous cycle and the audit programme is set for its remainder. Where the client is treated as new, the cycle begins at the certification decision. | IAF MD 2:2023, clause 2.3.4 |
| If the issuing accreditation has lapsed | Where the issuing body's accreditation has expired, been suspended or withdrawn, transfer must take place within six months or on expiry of the certification, whichever is sooner. | IAF MD 2:2023, clause 2.1.3 |
Organisations approach a transfer expecting a paperwork exercise and discover it is conditional. The three conditions that most often convert a transfer into a full initial certification are: the audit reports cannot be obtained from the issuing body; a surveillance or recertification audit that was due has not actually been completed; or the certificate is under suspension. Note also what a transfer does not do — it does not reset the cycle. A clean transfer inherits the remainder of the existing cycle, so a certificate two years into its cycle is recertified next year, not in three years.
A clean transfer carries the existing certification cycle across, and the accepting body builds the audit programme for the remainder of that cycle. The original initial certification date may be quoted on the new documents, with an indication that a different body certified the organisation before a stated date. Where the organisation is treated as a new client, a fresh three-year cycle begins at the certification decision.
Tell us what must be relied on, who will rely on it and by what date. We will confirm the correct programme, evidence requirement and responsible entity — or tell you it is outside our scope.
