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Policy Statement:

At HYQCERT Services Private Limited, we are dedicated to conducting all audit and assessment activities with the utmost impartiality, integrity, and independence. As a recognized Hygiene Rating Audit Agency (HRAA), we affirm that objectivity and freedom from internal or external influence are non-negotiable principles that safeguard the credibility, reliability, and trustworthiness of our audit services.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, auditors, contractors, and management personnel of HYQCERT Services Private Limited. It covers all audit and assessment activities, interactions with Food Establishments, and any organizational processes that may impact impartiality, objectivity, or the integrity of our conformity assessment services.

Commitment to Impartiality:

The Approval Committee ensures that impartiality is maintained across all operations in line with QCI requirements:

  1. The impartiality policy is documented, communicated, and implemented at all organizational levels.
  2. It is publicly available on the website, ensuring transparency for all stakeholders.
  3. No commercial, financial, or external pressures influence audit decisions.

All audit activities are conducted free from conflicts of interest, under the Committee’s oversight.

Independence from Food Establishments:

Our organization operates exclusively as a third-party conformity assessment body, maintaining strict independence from all Food Establishments (FEs). We ensure a complete separation from any operational, commercial, or consultative relationships with FEs by adhering to the following:

  1. We do not design, establish, supply, purchase, install, or maintain any equipment or services related to FEs.
  2. We do not provide consultancy, internal training, or advisory services to any FE.
  3. No HRAA personnel shall engage in any business, financial, or operational activities with the FEs they audit.

Ongoing Risk Assessment:

The organization is fully committed to the continuous identification, evaluation, and management of any risks to impartiality. This encompasses risks arising from:

  1. Audit activities and operational processes
  2. Direct or indirect relationships involving management, personnel, contractors, or external affiliations
  3. Shared resources, marketing initiatives, or financial arrangements, including referral commissions

Upon identification of any risk to impartiality, the organization shall:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive risk analysis to assess potential impact
  2. Implement preventive or corrective measures to eliminate or effectively mitigate the risk
  3. Maintain thorough documentation of all actions taken and continuously monitor their effectiveness to ensure sustained impartiality

The Approval Committee oversees this process, ensuring that risk management measures are rigorous, transparent, and in strict compliance with regulatory requirements.

Governance and Monitoring:

To enforce this policy:

  1. An Impartiality Committee has been formed to oversee the adherence to impartiality principles.
  2. All staff and auditors undergo training on impartiality and ethics during onboarding and at regular intervals.
  3. Confidentiality and impartiality declarations are signed by all personnel involved in audit activities.
  4. Internal audits and reviews are conducted periodically to assess our compliance with this policy.

Review and Amendments:

This policy shall be reviewed annually or as and when required, based on changes in regulations, organizational structure, or identification of new risks. Updates, if any, will be approved by top management and re-communicated to all stakeholders.