Incentive

Lifelong learning is more in vogue than ever before. If learning services of a high standard are to be provided, then it is absolutely imperative that they cater to the needs of the customers and meet specific criteria recognised in the sector. The national eduQua scheme is officially recognised throughout Switzerland. Further education establishments which hold the certificate have proved that they satisfy the criteria and meet the minimum standard defined by eduQua in respect of further education services.

Outcome

eduQua is a means of fulfilling official requirements (public money allocated to certified institutions only) and paves the way to a quality service with a quality mindset.

Target groups

Further education establishments

Validity

3 years - there is an annual interim audit.

Recognition

The SQS eduQua certificate has national recognition.

Combinations

eduQua can be combined with ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and IN-Qualis (Certified quality of Work Integration).

Incentive

In early 2005, Fegems completed the drafting of its «Reference guide for certification of services» for the Genevan EMS sector. Compatible with various quality standards existing in the field of healthcare and EMS and in particular with the standards laid down by the Directorate-General for Health (DASS/DES, Geneva), this reference work enables Genevan EMS to qualify for the «certification of services».
Based on the Fegems ethical charter, this reference work translates its values into facts and specific characteristics which are appropriate to the attainment of the set objectives. It is accompanied by an explanatory glossary which clarifies the content of the proposed document and facilitates the use of a common language. Fegems takes a flexible approach to enable each establishment to define its own mission and accompanying concept as a function of its distinctive features.

This reference work nevertheless imposes very stringent requirements. It has to satisfy the legal criteria, notably those set out in the law governing EMS and the expectations placed on the services by the State, the Federal Office of Social Insurance and the paying partners.

Outcome

FEGEMS enables quality standards to be harmonized within the EMS with the opening of a constructive dialogue and the creation of a common culture for the different partners.

Target groups

The medical-social establishments of Geneva Canton.

Validity

3 years; to facilitate ongoing development, a follow-up audit is performed every year and a recertification audit once every 3 years.

Recognition

The FEGEMS certificate, issued by SQS, is valid in Geneva Canton.

Combinations

FEGEMS can be combined with ISO 9001 (quality management) and with all the other management system standards.

Outcome

Hospital pharmacies are usually involved in an ISO-certified system and so everything possible from a certification office.

Target groups

Hospital pharmacies and pharmacies

Validity

3 years - there is an annual audit to ensure that standards are being maintained and a recertification audit after three years.

Recognition

The SQS certificate Reference system Quality for Hospital Pharmacies is nationally recognized.

Combinations

The Reference system Quality for Hospital Pharmacies can be combined with ISO 9001 (quality management).

Incentive

The «Valais excellence» label was developed as a sign of recognition for companies that are managed according to the principle of sustainable development and continuous improvement. The «Valais excellence» label is awarded on the basis of a certification according to the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards as well as on the analysis of criteria that allow to verify compliance with the values of the label.

Outcome

This label attests the consumers that they:
Have a certification to ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management)
Are headquartered in Valais, combined with the creation of real added value
Demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development (economic, environmental and social indicators)
Belong to a network of committed organisations and take part in thematic meetings and training courses.

Target groups

Companies and institutions of all sectors and sizes, with headquarters in the canton of Valais.

Validity

3 years - a reassessment takes place after 3 years on the occasion of the recertification.

Recognition

Valais territorial label
Recognition of the label is only valid in combination with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Combinations

«Valais excellence» may be combined with an integrated management system (IMS) based on ISO standards that fulfils the IAF requirements.

Incentive

The garage label can be obtained by any company which sells and services cars and commercial vehicles as its main line of business. The garage label therefore serves to distinguish those in the car and commercial vehicle business who have management systems in place to enable them to make an active contribution to environmental protection and who are generally proactive in representing the interests of their stakeholders.

Outcome

The garage label means sound legal protection and performance enhancements for the company in environmental and economic terms, and guarantees that there is an awareness of stock flow and that contingency plans and risk assessment process are in place.

Target groups

All garages which service and sell cars and commercial vehicles as their main line of business. Garages and repair workshops which want to conduct a systematic check of their adherence to all environmental regulations, which strive to meet further environmental and quality targets, and which comply with the health and safety requirements.

Validity

Garage label certifications are valid for 3 years. There are annual checks requiring owners to declare their performance.

Recognition

The SQS certificate of conformity with Garage label has national recognition.

Combinations

The garage label is compatible with ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management).

Incentive

Further development of the quality management system with the focus on food safety

Outcome

The implementation of the specifications of standards (PRP, HACCP, traceability, recall/return, verification/validation, etc.) guarantee food safety requirements.

Target groups

Harvesting and agricultural companies, manufacturers of food ingredients, food and feed, wholesale distributors, retailers, cafeterias, catering companies and service providers in the fields of cleaning, transport, storage and distribution, which require an internationally recognised certificate.

Validity

3 years - there is an annual audit to ensure that standards are being maintained and a recertification audit after 3 years.

Recognition

The SQS certificate of conformity with ISO 22000 has international validity and is recognised worldwide through the IQNET membership.

Combinations

With the exception of IFS, all norms and standards can be combined.

Incentive

qualivista acts as an evaluative tool and provides a wide range of additional information (available from the download area www.qualivista.ch) to support quality development in retirement and nursing homes. Meanwhile, a virtual discussion forum moderated by the qualivista editorial team lets registered participants discuss the contents qualivista has to offer and how to use it.
Retirement and nursing homes as well as local and cantonal health authorities are committed to providing elderly people and those in need of nursing with professional care, excellent treatment and human contact in their institutions. A key requirement of these institutions is therefore to provide high-quality services across the board and quality management is important for meeting this.
As a certification body, SQS carries out neutral assessments of how effectively qualivista standards are being fulfilled in retirement and nursing homes and evaluates how the system is being used. An organisation’s rating enables it to assess where it stands and thus to measure itself against other institutions.

Outcome

qualivista and the associated rating are an objective way of showing an organisation how well its procedures are being implemented and what impact this is likely to have on the processes of service provision.

Target groups

Retirement and nursing homes in all Swiss cantons and all qualivista users.

Validity

3 years - there is an annual audit to ensure that standards are being maintained and a recertification audit after 3 years.

Recognition

After a successful audit, organisations are awarded SQS certification.

Combinations

qualivista can be developed and audited in combination with ISO 9001:2015.

Incentive

Certification is required by law for manufacturing of pressure equipment off category II. SQS as a notified body for pressure equipment (NB 1250) is verifying compliance with the essential safety requirements and is accompanying the manufacturer from the state of design up to the final inspections during manufacturing of pressure equipment.

Outcome

Conformity to type based on production quality assurance related to the pressure equipment guarantees professionally competent, customer-oriented services and solutions, qualified suppliers as well as a risk- and cost optimisation.

Target groups

Manufacturer of pressure equipment based in the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU and the Pressure Equipment Ordinance SR 930.114.

Validity

The conformity assessment certificate according module B+E is valid for three years with an annual verification.

Recognition

SQS is approved notified body for pressure equipment bearing the identification number 1250.
The SQS certificate for pressure equipment is internationally recognized.

Combinations

DGR Conformity to type based on pressure equipment quality assurance is compatible with ISO 9001 (Quality management), ISO 3834-2 (certification of welding operations) ISO 14001 (Environmental management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management).

Incentive

The attestation pursuant to Article 6 of EU Regulation no. 333/2011 applies to all producers of scrap metal or to any holder of scrap metal, which has ceased for the first time to be regarded as waste, who transfers it to another holder. A producer of scrap metal or holder of scrap metal, which has ceased for the first time to be regarded as waste, who transfers it to another holder must maintain a Quality Management System. This is a mandatory requirement.

Outcome

The attestation issued by SQS shows all parties concerned that the Organisation operates in conformity with the requirements of the referenced Regulation. It therefore constitutes a guarantee for third parties.

Target groups

The attestation pursuant to Article 6 of EU Regulation no. 333/2011 applies to all producers of scrap metal or to any holder of scrap metal, which has ceased for the first time to be regarded as waste, who transfers it to another holder.
The attestation certifies that producers/importers of scrap metal comply with the requirements of EU Regulation no. 333/2011.

Validity

3 years - As part of the continuous development, surveillance audits are held every year and recertification audits after 3 years.

Recognition

The attestation issued by SQS in accordance with EU Regulation no. 333/2011 is recognised at national level.

Combinations

Regulation EU n. 333/11 is compatible with ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 9001 (quality management) and with all other management system standards.

Incentive

Certification is required by law for manufacturing of pressure equipment off category II. SQS as a notified body for pressure equipment (NB 1250) is verifying compliance with the essential safety requirements and is accompanying the manufacturer from the state of design up to the final inspections during manufacturing of pressure equipment.

Outcome

Conformity based on an individual test guarantees professionally competent, customer-oriented services and solutions, qualified suppliers as well as a risk- and cost optimisation.

Target groups

Manufacturer of pressure equipment based in the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU and the Pressure Equipment Ordinance SR 930.114.

Validity

The certificate of conformity according module G is issued after the acceptance test of a pressure equipment with valid design type.

Recognition

SQS is approved notified body for pressure equipment bearing the identification number 1250.
The SQS certificate for pressure equipment is internationally recognized.

Combinations

DGR Conformity based on unit verification is compatible with ISO 9001 (Quality management), ISO 3834-2 (certification of welding operations) ISO 14001 (Environmental management) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management).