Auditing - Scheme for Jersey

• Click here for the procedures for auditing the activities of Approved Bodies and Approved Certifiers

A fundamental feature of the Scheme is that rigorous auditing processes of Approved Certifiers of Design (Building Structure) and their Firms, Approved Bodies for Certification of Design (Building Structure) are carried out by SER Ltd. Auditing is carried out in order to confirm that the Certifiers and the Firms employing them are undertaking the certification procedures to an adequate standard.

Three forms of audit may be undertaken:

• Audits within 3 years of the latest approval of membership.
• Targeted audits at the request of the Head of Certification, following discovery or complaints of poor practice.
• Random audits.

In general, Certifiers and Firms are audited by SER Ltd within three years of their initial registration. Audits are normally undertaken in the Certifier's offices. The Audit team considers the record of the previous certification work. This is the Certifier's log book of certificates issued, copies of certificates and check lists retained by the Certifier, the procedures used, the support provided by the Firm to the Certifier and any feedback on the record received by the Scheme administrators from clients or others, and the results of previous audits of the Certifier's work and of the employing Firm.. On successful completion of an audit, the Certifier and Firm memberships on the Jersey Register will be confirmed for the remainder of the 5 year period.

It is a requirement of the Scheme that all members are audited at least once before each re-application for membership, i.e. within a three year period. During the initial operation of the Scheme, audits will be arranged such that approximately 33% of Certifiers and Firms are considered each year.

The management of the Scheme and auditing processes undertaken by SER Ltd are subject to periodic audit by the States of Jersey Planning and Environment Department.