25 AUGUST 2026
CONFICERT Publishes Version 3 of the General Rules Common to All Its Brands and Updates the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits
Madrid, August 2026. CONFICERT, an international non-profit organization founded in Spain and a global reference in transparent and reliable certification, announces the publication of Version 3 of the General Rules common to all its Brands, together with a comprehensive review of the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits.
This new version represents a further step in the evolution of CONFICERT’s certification system and reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to transparency, regulatory clarity, consistency and continuous improvement. The review introduces changes aimed at facilitating the interpretation and application of requirements, adapting the rules to current operational realities and strengthening the safeguards of certification processes.
A comprehensive review for clearer and more transparent rules
Version 3 of the General Rules is the result of a comprehensive review of its content, structure and wording. Among the main changes is a general revision of the wording and style of the standard, aimed at clarifying essential aspects, removing potential ambiguities and introducing the necessary clarifications to facilitate a consistent interpretation.
This update provides a clearer, more precise and accessible framework for all stakeholders involved in the certification process, while further strengthening consistency in the application of the common rules across CONFICERT’s different Brands.
The new version also strengthens the role of self-assessments as a prerequisite for certification, establishing more stringent requirements to ensure that operators are fully aware of and appropriately assess their level of compliance before undergoing the audit process.
Likewise, the Rules have been adapted to the current operation of CONFICERT’s IT systems, incorporating and clarifying the aspects necessary to ensure that documentation and management procedures are aligned with the digital tools and processes currently used by the organization.
Version 3 also introduces specific conditions applicable, where relevant, to multisite operators, groups of operators and subcontractors, with the aim of defining their responsibilities, participation conditions and obligations within the certification system more precisely. These new provisions make it possible to adapt the Rules to increasingly complex organizational structures while maintaining the traceability, control and accountability necessary to safeguard the integrity of the certification process.
As part of this overall review, certain chapters have been expanded to provide greater detail on aspects requiring more precise regulation. A new section has also been introduced to clarify the effects of the revocation of a Certification Body’s (CB) authorization on certified operators, establishing a clearer framework for such situations and further strengthening the security and transparency of the system.
Taken as a whole, these changes are intended to ensure that the General Rules serve as an up-to-date, consistent and common reference for all CONFICERT Brands and for the different stakeholders involved in their certification processes.
A more precise, risk-based annex for remote and combined audits
Alongside the new version of General Rules, CONFICERT has carried out a specific review of the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits, refining and improving its structure.
The update aims to establish greater clarity regarding when and under what conditions remote or combined audits may be conducted, strengthening the criteria applicable to their planning, execution and evaluation.
The risk categorization has also been reviewed and clarified to ensure that the use of these audit methods is proportionate to the associated level of risk and that their application maintains the same commitment to rigor and reliability that characterizes CONFICERT’s certification system.
CONFICERT’s commitment to continuous improvement
The publication of Version 3 of the General Rules and the update of the annex on remote and combined audits form part of CONFICERT’s ongoing work to make its certification system increasingly transparent, clear, consistent and understandable.
The organization will continue to review and update its standards and procedures in response to the evolving needs of operators, Certification Bodies, auditors, consultants and other stakeholders, while maintaining a common framework that enables the same principles and criteria to be applied regardless of the Brand or market in which the activity is carried out.
The Version 3 of the General Rules common to all Brands, together with the updated Annex on Remote and Combined Audits, is available through CONFICERT’s official channels.
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CONFICERT Publishes Version 3 of the General Rules Common to All Its Brands and Updates the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits
25 August 2026
Madrid, August 2026. CONFICERT, an international non-profit organization founded in Spain and a global reference in transparent and reliable certification, announces the publication of Version 3 of the General Rules common to all its Brands, together with a comprehensive review of the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits.
This new version represents a further step in the evolution of CONFICERT’s certification system and reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to transparency, regulatory clarity, consistency and continuous improvement. The review introduces changes aimed at facilitating the interpretation and application of requirements, adapting the rules to current operational realities and strengthening the safeguards of certification processes.
A comprehensive review for clearer and more transparent Rules
Version 3 of the General Rules is the result of a comprehensive review of its content, structure and wording. Among the main changes is a general revision of the wording and style of the standard, aimed at clarifying essential aspects, removing potential ambiguities and introducing the necessary clarifications to facilitate a consistent interpretation.
This update provides a clearer, more precise and accessible framework for all stakeholders involved in the certification process, while further strengthening consistency in the application of the common rules across CONFICERT’s different Brands.
The new version also strengthens the role of self-assessments as a prerequisite for certification, establishing more stringent requirements to ensure that operators are fully aware of and appropriately assess their level of compliance before undergoing the audit process.
Likewise, the Rules have been adapted to the current operation of CONFICERT’s IT systems, incorporating and clarifying the aspects necessary to ensure that documentation and management procedures are aligned with the digital tools and processes currently used by the organization.
Version 3 also introduces specific conditions applicable, where relevant, to multisite operators, groups of operators and subcontractors, with the aim of defining their responsibilities, participation conditions and obligations within the certification system more precisely. These new provisions make it possible to adapt the Rules to increasingly complex organizational structures while maintaining the traceability, control and accountability necessary to safeguard the integrity of the certification process.
As part of this overall review, certain chapters have been expanded to provide greater detail on aspects requiring more precise regulation. A new section has also been introduced to clarify the effects of the revocation of a Certification Body’s (CB) authorization on certified operators, establishing a clearer framework for such situations and further strengthening the security and transparency of the system.
Taken as a whole, these changes are intended to ensure that the General Rules serve as an up-to-date, consistent and common reference for all CONFICERT Brands and for the different stakeholders involved in their certification processes.
A more precise, risk-based annex for remote and combined audits
Alongside the new version of General Rules, CONFICERT has carried out a specific review of the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits, refining and improving its structure.
The update aims to establish greater clarity regarding when and under what conditions remote or combined audits may be conducted, strengthening the criteria applicable to their planning, execution and evaluation.
The risk categorization has also been reviewed and clarified to ensure that the use of these audit methods is proportionate to the associated level of risk and that their application maintains the same commitment to rigor and reliability that characterizes CONFICERT’s certification system.
CONFICERT’s commitment to continuous improvement
The publication of Version 3 of the General Rules and the update of the annex on remote and combined audits form part of CONFICERT’s ongoing work to make its certification system increasingly transparent, clear, consistent and understandable.
The organization will continue to review and update its standards and procedures in response to the evolving needs of operators, Certification Bodies, auditors, consultants and other stakeholders, while maintaining a common framework that enables the same principles and criteria to be applied regardless of the Brand or market in which the activity is carried out.
The Version 3 of the General Rules common to all Brands, together with the updated Annex on Remote and Combined Audits, is available through CONFICERT’s official channels.
Comparte la noticia en:
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25 August 2026
CONFICERT Publishes Version 3 of the General Rules Common to All Its Brands and Updates the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits
Madrid, August 2026. CONFICERT, an international non-profit organization founded in Spain and a global reference in transparent and reliable certification, announces the publication of Version 3 of the General Rules common to all its Brands, together with a comprehensive review of the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits.
This new version represents a further step in the evolution of CONFICERT’s certification system and reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to transparency, regulatory clarity, consistency and continuous improvement. The review introduces changes aimed at facilitating the interpretation and application of requirements, adapting the rules to current operational realities and strengthening the safeguards of certification processes.
A comprehensive review for clearer and more transparent Rules
Version 3 of the General Rules is the result of a comprehensive review of its content, structure and wording. Among the main changes is a general revision of the wording and style of the standard, aimed at clarifying essential aspects, removing potential ambiguities and introducing the necessary clarifications to facilitate a consistent interpretation.
This update provides a clearer, more precise and accessible framework for all stakeholders involved in the certification process, while further strengthening consistency in the application of the common rules across CONFICERT’s different Brands.
The new version also strengthens the role of self-assessments as a prerequisite for certification, establishing more stringent requirements to ensure that operators are fully aware of and appropriately assess their level of compliance before undergoing the audit process.
Likewise, the Rules have been adapted to the current operation of CONFICERT’s IT systems, incorporating and clarifying the aspects necessary to ensure that documentation and management procedures are aligned with the digital tools and processes currently used by the organization.
Version 3 also introduces specific conditions applicable, where relevant, to multisite operators, groups of operators and subcontractors, with the aim of defining their responsibilities, participation conditions and obligations within the certification system more precisely. These new provisions make it possible to adapt the Rules to increasingly complex organizational structures while maintaining the traceability, control and accountability necessary to safeguard the integrity of the certification process.
As part of this overall review, certain chapters have been expanded to provide greater detail on aspects requiring more precise regulation. A new section has also been introduced to clarify the effects of the revocation of a Certification Body’s (CB) authorization on certified operators, establishing a clearer framework for such situations and further strengthening the security and transparency of the system.
Taken as a whole, these changes are intended to ensure that the General Rules serve as an up-to-date, consistent and common reference for all CONFICERT Brands and for the different stakeholders involved in their certification processes.
A more precise, risk-based annex for remote and combined audits
Alongside the new version of General Rules, CONFICERT has carried out a specific review of the Annex on Remote and Combined Audits, refining and improving its structure.
The update aims to establish greater clarity regarding when and under what conditions remote or combined audits may be conducted, strengthening the criteria applicable to their planning, execution and evaluation.
The risk categorization has also been reviewed and clarified to ensure that the use of these audit methods is proportionate to the associated level of risk and that their application maintains the same commitment to rigor and reliability that characterizes CONFICERT’s certification system.
CONFICERT’s commitment to continuous improvement
The publication of Version 3 of the General Rules and the update of the annex on remote and combined audits form part of CONFICERT’s ongoing work to make its certification system increasingly transparent, clear, consistent and understandable.
The organization will continue to review and update its standards and procedures in response to the evolving needs of operators, Certification Bodies, auditors, consultants and other stakeholders, while maintaining a common framework that enables the same principles and criteria to be applied regardless of the Brand or market in which the activity is carried out.
The Version 3 of the General Rules common to all Brands, together with the updated annex on remote and combined audits, is available through CONFICERT’s official channels.
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