ASTM_F_3069_-_14.pdf

Designation:F306914Standard Guide forRequirements for Bodies that Operate CertificationPrograms in the Field of Search and Rescue1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3069;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide defines the organizational structure,policiesand procedures required to operate a certification program inthe field of search and rescue.1.2 Certifications are used by authorities having jurisdictionas a component to their credentialing process,typically todemonstrate one component of an individuals ability to field.1.3 Certifications are typically provided by third party,disinterested,providers and are commonly used to validate anindividuals,teams,or authority having jurisdictions trainingprogram in a particular area.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 Referenced Document:ANSI-ISO-IEC 17024 Conformity AssessmentGeneralRequirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Per-sons23.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 candidate,napplicant who has fulfilled specifiedprerequisites,allowing his/her participation in the certificationprocess.(ANSI-ISO-IEC 17024)3.1.2 certification,na statement of record that indicatesthat a candidate has successfully completed a certificationprocess administered by a certification body and has demon-strated the relevant knowledge,skills,and abilities as definedby the standard in question.3.1.3 certification process,nall activities by which acertification body establishes that a person fulfils specifiedcompetence requirements,including application,evaluation,decision on certification,surveillance and recertification,use ofcertificates and logos/marks.(ANSI-ISO-IEC 17024)3.1.4 certification system,nset of procedures and re-sources for carrying out the certification process as per acertification scheme,leading to the issue of a certificate ofcompetence including maintenance.(ANSI-ISO-IEC 17024)3.1.5 certifying body,nan organization responsible fordeveloping a certification scheme and implementing a certifi-cation system to a set standard within the relevant field andgranting a certification in the relevant field.3.1.6 credential,nthe right granted by the authority hav-ing jurisdiction to an individual,crew,or team to operate andrepresent the authority having jurisdiction.4.Significance and Use4.1 A Certification Body issuing certifications in the field ofsearch and rescue is required to meet the requirements identi-fied in this guide.4.2 This guide can be used by an authority having jurisdic-tion determine whether to accept a certification from a certifi-cation body.4.3 This guide can be used by an authority having jurisdic-tion to validate audit a certifying body.4.4 This guide can be used by a certifying body to validatethat its certification scheme,certification process,and certifi-cation system meets industry standards.4.5 Any certification body operating in accordance toANSI-ISO-IEC 17024 or equivalent shall be considered to be incompliance with this standard.5.Organization5.1 The certification body shall be formed as a legal entityin the country that it operates.5.2 The certification body shall comply with the statutoryrequirements for the areas in which it operates.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Searchand Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.02 on Managementand Operations.Current edition approved March 1,2014.Published April 2014.DOI:10.1520/F3069-14.2Available from American National Standards Institute(ANSI),25 W.43rd St.,4th Floor,New York,NY 10036,http:/www.ansi.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.3 The certification body shall have written policies andprocedures that define its operations including but not limitedto:5.3.1 Structure5.3.2 Business operations5.3.3 Personnel5.3.4 Certification scheme,system,and process5.3.5 Candidate application5.3.6 Complaint procedures5.3.7 Document compliance5.3.8 Certification revocation procedures5.3.9 Privacy and security procedures5.4 The certification body shall confine its requirements,evaluation and decision on certification to those mattersspecifically related to the scope of the desired certification.5.5 The certification body shall be structured so as to giveconfidence to interested parties in its competence,impartialityand integrity.In particular,the certification body:5.5.1 Shall be independent and impartial in relation to itsapplican