How Certification
Works

MSPO scheme: steps and timelines

1. 1

   Application, quotation and agreement

   You tell us your scope, sites and operations on our Client Application Form. We review the application, work out the audit time your scope needs, and send a quotation and certification agreement.

   • Quotation request form
   • SOP-05
2. 2

   Stage 1 audit, on site

   At your facilities we confirm that the key management system requirements are in place and documented: your significant aspects and legal requirements, policies, objectives and targets, internal audits, corrective action, resources and the scope for certification. The Stage 1 report shows any major deficiencies to fix before Stage 2, and opportunities to improve.

   • Stage 1 report with deficiencies to fix
3. 3

   Stakeholder consultation

   At least 30 days before an initial or recertification audit we notify the relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, local and indigenous communities, workers' unions and contractors, and invite their views in confidence. Notifications are published on this website.

   • Notification published on this website
   • SOP-08
4. 4

   Stage 2 audit

   Once the Stage 1 findings are resolved, you confirm you are ready, ideally sending your proposed actions to the Audit Team Leader at least two weeks ahead. The team evaluates how well your system is implemented and how effective it is against MS 2530, and classifies findings as major or minor nonconformities.

   • Major NC: corrective action within 3 months
   • Minor NC: action plan within 30 days
5. 5

   Independent peer review

   The draft Stage 2 report goes to independent peer reviewers appointed for your audit. They review it within seven days, the Audit Team Leader answers every comment, and all issues are resolved before the report is finalised.

   • Review within 7 days
   • Peer Review policy
6. 6

   Certification decision and certificate

   The certification panel decides whether to grant certification. The MSPO certificate is issued once all payments under the certification agreement are complete, and a public summary of the audit report is published.

   • Valid 5 years (MSPO)
   • Public summary published
7. 7

   Annual surveillance

   A surveillance audit at least once every calendar year confirms the system still works: progress against the objectives in your policy, evaluation of legal compliance, internal audits, corrective and preventive action, external communication, management review, and any changes to the system or its scope.

   • At least once per calendar year
8. 8

   Recertification

   At the end of each cycle we reassess your whole management system, including a site assessment. Recertification follows the requirements of the initial Stage 2 and takes about two-thirds of the time of the initial assessment.

   • Every 5 years MSPO, 3 years ISO