Submission of documents
To be able to start the QEP certification® process, we first need a number of documents from you. For this purpose, we will provide you with a folder structure in the .zip format in which you can save the necessary documents and then submit them to us. You can download the folder structure from our information documents below.
The visitation checklist also has to be completed and sent to DEKRA Certification before the start of the certification. You can also use the checklist to ensure that you have worked through and implemented all the required supporting documents/indicators of the QEP Qualitätsziel-Katalog® (QEP Quality Objectives Catalog®).
The checklist is included in the folder structure.
Documents review
A documents review is compulsory prior to any on-site visitation. A documents review is carried out in two stages: formal and content-based.
In the first step, in the formal review of the guidelines, the completeness of all the compulsory documents to be submitted in the QM guidelines for practices are verified. In the second step, in the review of the contents of the documents, the visitor checks that the content of the documents to be submitted complies with the requirements of the QEP Qualitätsziel-Katalog®.
On-site visitation
After the successful documents review, the visitor will carry out an on-site inspection to see how you have taken into account and implemented the requirements of the QEP Qualitätsziel-Katalog®. Various methods are used for this, such as questioning employees, practice inspections and random sampling.
Certification recommendation decision
After the on-site visitation, the visitor will make a recommendation as to whether the certification can be recommended. After an affirmative decision, you will receive a certificate with a validity period of 3 years as well as a visitation report containing the key details of the on-site visitation.
Surveillance
Surveillance audits are compulsory during the certification period. In this context, an annual review is carried out on the basis of submitted documents to determine whether the certification can be maintained.
Recertification
A new cycle starts.