1. Overview
The International Standards & Accreditation Board (ISAB) strives for excellence and impartiality in all accreditation activities. However, we recognize that applicants and accredited organizations have the right to challenge decisions made by the Board. This policy outlines the structured, unbiased process for handling such challenges.
2. Eligibility to Appeal
An organization may lodge a formal appeal if they disagree with a decision made by ISAB, specifically regarding:
- Refusal to grant accreditation.
- The scope of accreditation granted.
- Suspension, reduction, or termination of an existing accreditation status.
3. Submission Process
To initiate an appeal, the appellant must submit a Formal Notice of Appeal via our secure [Contact/Ethics Portal]. The notice must include:
- The specific decision being challenged.
- The justification for the appeal (e.g., procedural error, misinterpretation of objective evidence).
- Supporting documentation or additional evidence.
- Proof of payment for the Appeal Processing Fee.
4. The Review Timeline
ISAB follows a strict timeline to ensure due process:
| Stage | Timeline |
| Initial Acknowledgment | Within 3 business days of receipt. |
| Eligibility Review | Within 7 business days (to ensure the appeal is valid). |
| Impartiality Committee Review | Within 30 business days. |
| Final Decision | Sent to appellant within 5 days of Committee review. |
Note: During the appeal process, the original decision (e.g., suspension or termination) remains in effect unless the Impartiality Committee explicitly determines that a temporary stay of the decision is required to prevent irreparable harm.
5. The Impartiality Committee
All appeals are reviewed by the Impartiality Committee, an independent body comprised of subject matter experts who were not involved in the original audit or accreditation decision. This ensures that the appeal is reviewed with fresh, unbiased eyes.
6. Fee Structure
To ensure that only serious challenges are processed and to cover the administrative costs of the independent committee, the following fee structure applies:
- Appeal Processing Fee: $[Insert Amount, e.g., 500.00] USD.
- Refund Policy: If the Impartiality Committee finds in favor of the appellant (i.e., the appeal is successful), 100% of the processing fee will be refunded. If the original decision is upheld, the fee is retained to cover administrative and committee costs.
7. Finality of Decision
The decision of the Impartiality Committee is final and binding. ISAB does not accept further challenges on the same matter unless significant new evidence is presented that was not available during the initial appeal.
How to implement this page:
Transparency Warning: If your website platform supports it, consider adding a small “Status” area on this page that says: “Current Status of Appeals: [None Pending / 1 Pending]”. This level of transparency is rare and highly respected by ISO auditors.
The “Impartiality” Connection: On this page, include a link back to your Impartiality Statement page (which we drafted in the previous turn). This creates a “closed loop” of trust.
The Fee Mechanism: If you are using WooCommerce or a simple payment form on your site, link the “Appeal Processing Fee” payment link directly in the “Submission Process” section.