The Assurance Code

Second Consultation in Progress!

Following over 800 comments from the first consultation, the much improved second Draft Assurance Code is now ready for your review and comment. This second draft is easier to follow, provides more clarity regarding ISO standards, uses more examples and provides more options for good practice. The second consultation runs from 2nd April until 31 May 2012. There are a number of ways to participate in the second consultation:

Download and review the 2nd Draft Assurance Code
Download the Comment Version - includes questions and comment fields embedded in the document
Download the Assurance Code Word version - to allow for 'track changes' comments
Use the Comment Submission form - excel file with fields for comments
Register here for a Eastern time-zone webinar on the Assurance Code on Wed May 16:

- 9:30am in Delhi

- 11:00am in Hanoi

- 12:pm (Noon) in Bejing

- 2pm in Sydney/Melbourne

- 4pm in Auklannd

Send your comments directly to paddy [at] isealalliance [dot] org (Paddy Doherty) via email

About

The Assurance Code will apply to standards scheme owners, along with auditing and certification bodies that assess and verify compliance with voluntary social and environmental standards. Aspects of the Code may also apply to accreditation bodies and to standard-setting organisations. The primary aims of the Code are to improve the quality and consistency of the assurance process and to support the appropriate use of assurance tools that are rigorous while also being accessible and able to grow with increasing demand.

To keep up-to-date with the latest developments to the ISEAL Assurance Code join our email discussion list.

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Informative Materials

Template for Field Testing - Excel template for evaluating draft Assurance Code against a current assurance programme
The Assurance Code Background Research Report was prepared by Richard Bradely. The document is a review of current practice in assurance with recommendations for innovative approaches.
The ISEAL Assurance Code is a presentation from the June 2011 ISEAL Conference on detailed aspects of the scope consultation, the scope, and the challenges for developing the ISEAL Assurance Code.
Strengthening Verification in Sustainability Standards is a presentation from the June 2011 ISEAL conference that provides an overview of the consultation to develop the scope of the ISEAL Assurance Code.
The Assurance Code Summary document provides details about the Assurance Code development process
R085 Defining the Scope and an Assurance Code is a background discussion paper distilled from conversations with ISEAL members and others in the standards community
Assurance Code Scoping is a presentation (powerpoint) on pertinent aspects for determining the scope of an Assurance Code
Assurance Code Critical Issues Survey Summary is a compilation of the responses to the Assurance Code online survey.
Assurance Code Summary of Semi-structured Interviews is a compilation of a number of personal interviews with actors in the standards realm.
Assurance Code Scope Report describes the proposed scope of the ISEAL Assurance Code as well as the scoping consultation process.

Consultation Process

Assurance Code Comments and responses from the first consultation
Assurance Code Survey Responses Jan2011.pdf - is a summary of responses to the Assurance Code 1st Consultation (Nov-Dec 2011) Survey
Assurance Code Commitee Members is a list of a the members of the Assurance Code Steering and Technical Committee members
Joint Committee Meeting Notes June 2011 are the notes from a meeting of the Assurance Code Steering and Technical Committees in London; June 20, 21 2011

Comments and Contact

To find out more about the ISEAL Assurance Code please contact paddy [at] isealalliance [dot] org (Paddy Doherty), ISEAL's Code Development Manager.

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