CORGI Certification
CORGI Certification was formed in 2001 and is a division of CORGI, The Council for Registered Gas Installers. It is a certification body accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) to certificate businesses who achieve scheme standards (BS EN 45011) in the management and delivery of gas work. It provides recognition for businesses providing ‘Best Value’ through achieving certificated status; the scheme is in line with CORGI’s quality objective statement which includes: ‘To identify and understand our customers’ needs while continually improving on the services that we provide to them’.
Why seek certification to BS EN 45011?
- Certification to BS EN 45011 by an accredited certification body shows the business to be committed to quality, customers, and a willingness to work towards improving efficiency
- It demonstrates the existence of an effective quality management system that satisfies the rigours of an independent, external audit
- A CORGI Certification certificate enhances company image in the eyes of customers, employees and shareholders alike
- It also gives a competitive edge to an organisation's marketing and business opportunities
- It prescribes systematic control of activities to ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are met.
- Certificated status provides proof of quality when tendering for gas work. Tender processes now expect businesses to formulate their quotes based on 60% quality and 40% cost aimed at providing ‘Best Value’.
Implementing a Quality Gas Management System motivates staff by defining key roles and responsibilities. Cost savings can be made through improved efficiency and productivity, as product or service deficiencies will be highlighted. From this, improvements can be developed, resulting in less waste, inappropriate or rejected work and fewer complaints. Customers will notice that service levels are met consistently, on time and to the correct specification. This can open up the market place to increased opportunities as many tender processes now specify compliance to BS EN 45011 in an attempt to provide a better quality service (especially in the public sectors) to customers.
Certification through CORGI Certification’s gas scheme provides an accessible way to give customers assurance in the installer’s ability to deliver a quality service. The scheme certificate is normally valid for 3 years and enables installers to make use of the UKAS Crown and Tick Logo to enhance their own corporate material.
The gas scheme quality mark is unique in that it is the only one of its kind accredited by UKAS specifically for gas. It is complementary to other quality schemes e.g. ISO 9000, Charter Mark, European Foundation of Quality Management and Investors in People.
The CORGI Certification Gas Scheme
Certification logo and UKAS crown & tick logo (as well as the CORGI register logo) can be used as a marketing tool to promote certificated status re-assuring specifiers and end users that gas work is in safe hands. They also promote and confirm differentiation from other CORGI registered installers underpinning the fact that they have had their systems checked against UKAS accredited standards signifying quality.
Certification by CORGI makes a difference. Businesses who have achieved this certification are positive about the benefits it has brought:
“Rule & Parker’s CORGI Certification achievement was instrumental in the procurement of a five year partnership contract with Fenland District Council. Despite not being the cheapest tender, Rule & Parker has been awarded the contract because of our partnership abilities which includes the very important area of gas quality control. Through our CORGI Certification we were able to demonstrate that we are serious about all aspects of quality”.
Gary Rule
Rule & Parker“We are even more focused and constantly monitor our processes to improve efficiency, quality and provide a first class service to customers”
Terry Howells, Morgan & Fone Services“An improvement in the confidence of existing gas services customers, who see it as an investment in quality control and assurance”
Martin Dixon, Martin Dixon“We felt that CORGI Certification processes would help us benchmark our company against other gas maintenance providers. It can be hard to audit your own performance, and it is much more meaningful for someone outside the organisation to do this. We already feel that certification has brought us benefits and we’re sure this will continue to help us in the future”.
Derren Burton
Quality Control Team Leader
Nottingham City Building Works
What does the Scheme involve?
Assessment is available to any CORGI Registered Installer business (sole traders, partnerships or incorporated companies), who will be expected to afford us full access to management systems and work records and to arrange for us to gain access to inspect the gas work at sites selected by us. We support them through the process of becoming certificated and ensure they are aware of all stages of the assessment and approval process.
The Assessment Process
How is the Assessment Arranged?
Application Details from the pre-assessment form will be verified against the following:
- The business is registered with CORGI and not subject to conditions or probation
- The details do not conflict with the Applicant’s details on the CORGI Register
- The business is not suspended from the CORGI Register.
We will then make contact to discuss the arrangements for the full assessment. Date/s for the assessment can be agreed at this time and we will provide written notification of assessment dates. In the case of a business that is also applying for CORGI registration or has just become CORGI registered, CORGI and CORGI Certification will arrange to combine the certification assessment and the first CORGI gas work inspection visit.
What does the Assessment involve?
The assessment will comprise an office assessment and will normally include a site assessment of gas work as decided by CORGI Certification. We recommend that the installer attends the site with the assessor. Under the requirements of EN45011, the assessor cannot confirm that a Certificate will or will not be awarded since that decision is made by the Certification Panel based on the evidence presented by the assessor. The assessor will advise applicants if the requirements of the Scheme are not being satisfied. A report is provided on areas where attention is required to bring about conformity and explains what evidence is required to demonstrate that those nonconformities have been addressed. The assessor will also explain the arrangements for presenting the evidence and whether or not a further site or office visit will be required and any additional charges that apply. Where applicable we will provide a nonconformity report, normally at the time of assessment.
What are the Assessment criteria?
Business systems and procedures will be assessed against the requirements of the Scheme as set out in the CORGI Certification document ‘Scheme Rules and Guidance’. The arrangements a sole trader has in place might be regarded as relatively straightforward when compared to an employer and/or a business that operates from more than one location and therefore has arrangements that form a more complex system of instructions and procedures.
Who makes the decision?
The Certification Panel makes the decision on Certification. Members of the Panel review the assessment evidence submitted by the assessor and take into account the recommendation made by the assessor. The Panel’s decision will be forwarded to the Applicant together with appropriate details concerning Certification where this has been granted.
For further information
Please contact the Certification Services Officer:
By phone: 0870 401 2311
By email: cc@corgi-group.com
By post: CORGI Certification, 1 Elmwood, Chineham Park, Crockford Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 8WG
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