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Certification Committee (Decision Authority)

The Certification Committee serves as the independent decision-making authority for certification and accreditation determinations issued by the International Institute of Corporate Culture & Sustainability (IICCS).

The Committee operates in accordance with principles of impartiality, independence, transparency, and due process.

1. Role and Authority

The Certification Committee is responsible for:

• Making final decisions on certification and accreditation approvals

• Granting, maintaining, suspending, or withdrawing certification status

• Reviewing assessment findings and evaluator recommendations

• Ensuring decisions are consistent with IICCS standards, policies, and criteria

• Safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the certification process

All certification decisions are made independently of commercial, operational, or advisory activities.

2. Committee Composition

The Certification Committee is composed of qualified individuals with relevant expertise, which may include:

• Corporate culture and organizational development

• Ethics, governance, and compliance

• Sustainability and social responsibility

• Risk management and assurance

Committee members are appointed based on competence, experience, and independence.

3. Independence and Impartiality

To ensure objective decision-making:

• Committee members are independent of the assessment and audit activities

• Members must not have participated in the evaluation of the applicant organization

• Conflicts of interest must be declared and managed in accordance with IICCS policies

• Any member with a potential conflict shall recuse themselves from deliberations

4. Decision-Making Process

Certification decisions are based on:

• Audit or assessment reports prepared by authorized assessors

• Objective evidence submitted by the applicant organization

• Compliance with applicable certification or accreditation requirements

Decisions may include:

• Approval of certification or accreditation

• Conditional approval subject to corrective actions

• Deferral pending additional information

• Suspension or withdrawal of certification

5. Corrective Actions and Conditions

Where non-conformities or improvement areas are identified, the Committee may:

• Require corrective action plans within defined timelines

• Review evidence of corrective actions prior to final approval

• Impose conditions for maintaining certification status

6. Appeals and Complaints

Organizations have the right to appeal certification decisions or submit complaints in accordance with IICCS appeals and complaints procedures.

Appeals are reviewed by individuals or bodies independent of the original decision-making process.

7. Confidentiality

All information reviewed by the Certification Committee is treated as confidential and used solely for certification decision-making purposes, in accordance with applicable data protection and confidentiality policies.

8. Records and Accountability

IICCS maintains records of:

• Committee decisions and rationales

• Conflict of interest declarations

• Appeals and outcomes

These records support accountability and continuous improvement of the certification process.

9. Oversight and Review

The Certification Committee’s structure and procedures are subject to periodic review to ensure ongoing alignment with recognized good governance and certification practices.