How do I get my claim/statement verified?

On return of a completed request for quotation (RFQ) we review the quotation request to make sure we have all the information necessary, as a minimum we agree with the applicant on the level of assurance (limited or reasonable), objectives. criteria, scope and materiality threshold.

We ensure that we have adequate resources in place to select a verification team before a decision can be made on whether a quotation can be issued. If a quotation is issued, the applicant (prospective client) is invited to make a formal application by accepting and confirming the quotation offer.

NSAI Verification activities are undertaken impartially, A copy of the NSAI Customer Charter and NSAI Customer Action Plan can be found on the NSAI webpage - Our customer service promise and complaints procedure

Subsequent Verification of Claims/Statements

Surveillance activities do not apply to verification schemes; each verification opinion is valid for the reporting period defined in the claim/statement assessed.

If your organisation wishes to have a subsequent claim/statement verified for a new reporting period, a new application for verification of the claim/statement is required by completing the relevant (RFQ) request for quotation form.

On return of the accepted quotation (contract & T&Cs), a Strategic Analysis is conducted to understand the nature and complexity related to claim/statement and to determine the extent of the verification activities required to verify the claim/statement.

During the strategic analysis, any material misstatements (nonconformities /findings) discovered are documented in an issues log (stage 1) for the client to address. The verification may be cancelled/withdrawn if    material misstatements have not been addressed, the client will be liable for the costs of conducting the strategic analysis and have a right to appeal any issues raised in the issues log.

When the Strategic Analysis is completed and a successful outcome is concluded, a Risk Assessment is conducted by using the results from the Strategic analysis by assessing the risk of a material misstatement and nonconformity to the criteria, a site visit may be required to conduct the Risk assessment.

On successful completion of the Strategic Analysis and Risk Assessment the verification team:

• design verification activities for a verification plan.
• identify the need and plan for site visits.
• confirm with client, timing and access arrangements to be included in the verification plan.
• determine evidence-gathering activities needed to complete the verification in accordance with the specified requirements and consistent with the results of the strategic analysis and risk assessment.
• develop an evidence-gathering plan, considering any measures that the client has in place to control sources of potential errors, omissions and misrepresentations.
• prepare and approve the Verification Plan considering the evidence-gathering plan as an input and communicates the Verification plan for agreement with the client.

The Verification and Evidence gathering plans are revised as necessary during the Verification execution, including any changes that may affect the initial quotation e.g. calculation of verification costs, the reasons for such changes to the Verification plan are communicated to the client, which may include the issue of a new quotation for client acceptance before the verification execution process can continue.

In accordance with the agreed verification plan, the lead verifier /team starts the verification execution of the claim/statement by effectively applying evidence gathering activities to conclude whether a verification opinion can be issued or declined based the outcome of the verification execution by way of:

• assessment to specific verification criteria
• the collection of sufficient objective evidence on original data/information, ensuring its traceability through the data/information management process, any further analysis and calculation.
• identification of misstatements and consideration of their materiality.
• Assessment of changes in risks, materiality threshold, and changes from prior reporting periods.
• Documenting and communicating the verification conclusion to the client, details of applicable misstatements(nonconformities/findings) recorded in an issues log (stage 2) , to be addressed within a defined time.
• on completion of the   verification execution, the lead verifiers draft a verification opinion/report for verification decision (Independent review), subject to the client addressing any non-conformities raised in the issues log (stage 2).
• advising the client that the lead verifiers recommendation is subject to independent review on whether a verification decision on the recommended draft verification opinion can be approved for either a unmodified, modified, adverse verification opinion or disclaiming the issuance of a verification opinion.

The Client has a right to appeal any issues raised in the issues log/ conclusions/recommendations regarding the draft verification opinion.

NSAI conduct an independent review of the verification activities to reach a verification decision by (a) competent person(s) who have not been involved in verification team activities (verification planning /execution). Depending on the verification outcomes and based on this review and decision, NSAI may conclude issue one of the following opinions:

Unmodified:  e.g Appropriate evidence verified to support claim/statement

Modified: e.g Appropriate evidence verified to support part of the claim/statement, reasons are provided in the opinion.

Adverse: e.g Insufficient or inappropriate evidence to support either an unmodified or modified opinion, reasons are provided in the opinion.

Or

Disclaim the issuance of an opinion: e.g client can ask the lead verifier not to produce the opinion and terminate the verification.

Only unmodified or modified opinions provide assurance (reasonable or limited) to intended users.

Following the independent review and subsequent verification decision, NSAI can issue or disclaim the issuance of a verification opinion to the client.

Verification opinions conform with the minimum information requirements of ISO: 17029 they are not issued with an expiry date, applicants are required to submit a new request for quotation (RFQ) to NSAI if they chose to have a subsequent claim/statement verified for a new reporting period.

The status of modified and un-modified Verification Opinions issued by NSAI are available via the NSAI website www.nsai.ie. under “Certified Company Search” . NSAI | Certified company search | NSAI. The client is required to ensure that NSAI Verification opinions or reports of factual findings made public by the client are communicated in their entirety.

The verification opinion /statement includes the NSAI Standard mark. The client’s use of the NSAI Standard mark and verification opinion must not imply that a claim/statement that is not subject to verification has been verified. Post verification, the NSAI verification mark and verification opinion may be affixed to the statement/claim/report. It is not permitted to use references to the NSAI mark and verification opinion in a claim/statement/report which contain information that has not been verified. Unlike certification schemes, the NSAI mark must be displayed in the verification opinion only, it cannot be displayed on vehicles, signage etc. The client shall not use the claim/statement /report, the NSAI issued verification opinion, NSAI Standard Marks and Logos in a manner that could mislead intended users or impair the reputation of NSAI. NSAI Logos | NSAI

The issuance of a NSAI Verification opinion is based on the provision of sufficient, appropriate evidence and relevant information identified and gathered during the verification process. If new facts or information is brought to the attention of the Client or NSAI via a Third-party post verification that may or may not materially affect the verification opinion, NSAI and the Client shall take the following appropriate action: 

• Any facts discovered by the Client/Organisation after the issuance of this Verification Opinion that may affect the verified opinion, the organisation must notify NSAI upon discovery.
• Any facts discovered or notified to NSAI via a third or otherwise after the issuance of a Verification Opinion that may affect the verified opinion are communicated to the Organisation for discussion with NSAI. NSAI considers whether the new facts materially affect the NSAI issued verification for decision on whether the opinion should be withdrawn or amended. Amendments to verification opinions may incur a fee.

The client has a the right to appeal any verification decision in accordance with the NSAI’s appeals process, Our customer service promise and complaints procedure

NSAI maintain and manage records for clients/organizations that have submitted Information Statements (Claims) to NSAI for verification. These records are securely maintained to ensure that the information is kept confidential NSAI have legally enforceable agreements with all staff, contract staff and outsourced suppliers regarding confidentiality. The Freedom of Information Act applies to NSAI except for client files. Information about the client from other sources (e.g. regulator, complaints etc.) shall be kept confidential unless already in the public domain.