Independence
How we keep our assessments independent
For every audit, assurance readiness test and supplier assessment, we assess or we implement, but never both on the same standard for the same client. This page explains how that works, why WELL advisory is handled differently, and what it means when you engage us.
Why independence matters in assurance
An assessment written by the people who built the system tends to find that the system works. Buyers, assurers, certification bodies and procurement teams know this, and they discount the result. Keeping assessment and implementation apart is what makes our assessments worth having, and it lets us also offer the implementation work clients need.
The two-track model
Two tracks, separated by a firewall
Assurance
We assess where you stand against a standard and report what we find.
- EHS statutory compliance audits
- Supplier social assessments
- Scheme readiness assessments
- Occupational exposure monitoring
- BRSR Core readiness testing
Implementation
We build what closes the gaps.
- Management systems and documentation
- CAPA close-out and remediation
- ESG data controls and GHG inventories
- Grievance mechanisms
- Recruitment fee remediation
The four rules
- One client, one track, per standardIf we implement a standard for you, we will not assess you against it. If we assess you, we will not implement it. This applies to every audit, assurance readiness test and supplier assessment. WELL advisory is the one exception, explained below.
- Separate people, named in the engagement letterThe people on each track are listed by name, so you can see who is doing what.
- Disclosed in writing at proposal stageEvery proposal states which track the work sits on and any other work we hold for you.
- Separate legal entities once volume justifies itAs the practice grows, the two tracks will move into separate companies.
The one exception
Why WELL advisory is handled differently
Our WELL feasibility assessment is planning advice for your own decisions. It is not an independent opinion that anyone else relies on. The independent checks on a WELL project already exist outside Wellcerts: an approved Performance Testing Provider tests the space, and IWBI reviews the project before any award. So one Wellcerts team can take you from the first assessment through certification, and the result stays independent.
| Stage | Carried out by |
|---|---|
| Feasibility and gap assessment, indoor air quality audit | Wellcerts |
| Certification strategy, documentation and submittal management | Wellcerts |
| On-site performance testing | An approved Performance Testing Provider, independent of Wellcerts |
| Project review and award | IWBI, through GBCI |
What this means when you engage us
- Your proposal tells you which track the work is on.
- If we built your ISO 45001 system, we will recommend an independent party for any assessment against ISO 45001.
- We can assess you against one standard and implement a different one at the same site, for example an SA8000 readiness assessment alongside ISO 14001 implementation.
- For WELL, you can engage us for the feasibility assessment and the certification support together.
- If you are unsure whether a request would cross the line, ask on the scoping call and we will tell you before any work starts.
What we never claim
- We do not issue scheme certification.
- We do not give the independent assurance opinion on your BRSR Core.
- We do not guarantee a certification level or an audit result.
Who issues certification, and what we do
Scheme certification is issued by each scheme's own approved bodies. We make sure you pass them.
| Scheme | Certification or result issued by | What Wellcerts does |
|---|---|---|
| SA8000 | Certification bodies accredited by SAAS | Readiness, gap analysis, management system build, CAPA close-out |
| amfori BSCI | Auditing companies approved by amfori | Readiness assessment and CAPA remediation |
| WRAP | WRAP-accredited monitors | Pre-certification readiness and 12-principle gap review |
| RBA (VAP) | RBA-approved audit firms | RBA Code self-assessment support and VAP readiness |
| SLCP | Approved Verifier Bodies | Self-assessment support and verification readiness |
| Higg FEM / FSLM | Approved Verifier Bodies under Cascale | FEM / FSLM completion and pre-verification support |
| ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 | Accredited certification bodies (ISO/IEC 17021) | Management system design, documentation, internal audit, certification readiness |
| CTPAT | US Customs and Border Protection | Minimum security criteria gap assessment, application and validation preparation |
| WELL | IWBI / GBCI; on-site testing by an approved Performance Testing Provider | Advisory, documentation and submittal management |
Frequently asked questions
Can you assess one standard and implement another for the same client?
Yes. The rule is one client, one track, per standard. We can carry out an SA8000 readiness assessment and implement ISO 14001 at the same site.
Why can you do both the assessment and the certification support for WELL?
Our WELL feasibility assessment is planning advice for your own decisions, not an independent opinion others rely on. The independent checks on a WELL project are on-site testing by an approved Performance Testing Provider and the project review by IWBI.
Who decides which track an engagement is on?
We state it in writing in the proposal, before any work starts, together with any other work we hold for you.
Do you issue certificates or assurance opinions?
No. Scheme certification is issued by each scheme’s approved bodies, and assurance opinions by your assurance provider.
Why are separate legal entities not in place yet?
Separate people, named engagement letters and written disclosure keep the tracks apart today. Separate companies follow once the volume of work justifies them.
Request a scoping call
Tell us your sites, markets and deadline. We reply with a written scope.