Quality Policy

GAR is committed to delivering professional services that are technically competent, dependable, appropriately controlled and responsive to the legitimate requirements of Clients and other relevant stakeholders.

Quality is therefore treated as an operational responsibility shared by personnel, technical specialists, management and organizations acting on behalf of GAR.

This Policy applies, as relevant, across GAR testing, inspection, certification, auditing, verification, validation, technical assurance, project support, engineering, advisory and other professional-service activities.

Testing, Inspection and Certification services create value only where the resulting evidence, conclusions and decisions can be trusted.

GAR therefore seeks to ensure that quality controls address not only the administrative completion of work, but also the technical credibility, consistency and traceability of the resulting output.

GAR seeks to understand the purpose, scope, technical requirements, applicable criteria, intended outputs and legitimate stakeholder expectations associated with each assignment before committing resources.

Client expectations should be considered alongside applicable legal, regulatory, accreditation, scheme, technical and professional requirements. A Client request does not override requirements governing competence, independence, objectivity or conformity-assessment integrity.

Personnel and organizations assigned to GAR activities should possess competence appropriate to the scope, complexity, technical discipline, applicable standards and level of professional responsibility involved.

Professional conclusions should be based on applicable requirements, relevant evidence, technically sound evaluation and competent judgment.

GAR does not support the manipulation of findings, conclusions, test results, inspection outcomes, audit evidence or certification-related information in order to obtain a preferred commercial result.

GAR seeks to establish appropriate controls from assignment acceptance through planning, execution, technical review, reporting and closure.

• Clearly defined scope, purpose and deliverables.
• Selection of competent personnel and appropriate technical resources.
• Identification of applicable standards, specifications and acceptance criteria.
• Appropriate assignment instructions and communication.
• Control of inspection, testing, assessment and review activities.
• Review of findings and outputs before issue where required.
• Management of changes, deviations and nonconformities.
• Appropriate retention and protection of quality records.

GAR services should be planned and delivered with due regard to the standards, legislation, contractual requirements, accreditation criteria, certification schemes, technical specifications and professional practices applicable to the specific activity.

Where an activity is performed through an accredited or otherwise formally recognized organization, the activity should remain subject to the relevant body’s approved scope, authorization, procedures and decision-making controls.

Independent assurance remains credible only when technical conclusions are protected from inappropriate commercial, financial, organizational, personal or other influence.

GAR seeks to identify and manage threats to impartiality and requires personnel and organizations performing work on its behalf to act with professional integrity.

Detailed requirements are addressed separately within the GAR Impartiality Policy.

GAR may utilize qualified local resources, technical specialists, laboratories and partner organizations to support services across industries, markets and international supply chains.

Such arrangements should be subject to appropriate selection, qualification, scope definition, communication and performance controls so that the quality expected under the GAR name remains consistently protected.

Outsourcing, subcontracting or coordination through external resources does not remove the need for appropriate quality control.

GAR seeks to define responsibilities clearly and ensure that external resources are selected and used according to the technical and quality requirements of the assignment.

• Capability should be evaluated before assignment.
• Required qualifications and approvals should be verified where relevant.
• The exact scope and deliverables should be communicated.
• Relevant standards, specifications and Client requirements should be identified.
• Outputs should be reviewed to an appropriate level before reliance or release.
• Performance concerns and nonconformities should be addressed and recorded.

GAR seeks to apply a proportionate, risk-based approach to quality management. The level of control should reflect the significance, complexity and potential consequences of the activity.

Quality depends on information that is accurate, traceable, appropriately protected and available to authorized persons when required.

GAR seeks to protect Client information and other confidential material obtained or generated during the performance of its services, subject to applicable contractual, legal, regulatory and professional obligations.

GAR does not regard quality as a static condition. Processes, competence, technology, stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements change over time and should therefore be reviewed accordingly.

Quality performance may be evaluated through relevant operational monitoring, Client feedback, complaints, appeals, internal review, partner performance, technical review, accreditation oversight, corrective action and management evaluation.

• Identify meaningful nonconformities, weaknesses and recurring problems.
• Determine causes to an appropriate level rather than treating symptoms only.
• Implement proportionate correction and corrective action.
• Verify the effectiveness of actions where appropriate.
• Use lessons learned to improve systems, competence and future service delivery.
• Identify opportunities for greater efficiency, reliability and Client value.