Whistleblowing and compliance

Awareness Certification operates a reporting channel for violations at certified organisations and for misconduct by the certification body itself. Reports are treated confidentially and may be made anonymously.

Who can report, and what

Workers of certified organisations, their business partners and third parties may report: violations of the requirements of PAS 24000:2022 at a certified site, for example in working hours, remuneration, health and safety, discrimination or freedom of association; misconduct by auditors or other persons acting for Awareness Certification; improper use of the certificate or the mark; breaches of the Certification Conditions.

How reports are handled

Every report is reviewed by a person who was not involved in the audit or decision concerned. Reports about a certified organisation are submitted to it for comment without naming the reporting person and may trigger a special audit. Reports about Awareness Certification itself are recorded and submitted to the committee for safeguarding impartiality. If you have provided a means of contact, you receive an acknowledgement within seven days and feedback on closure, at the latest after three months.

Your identity is treated confidentially and is not disclosed to the organisation concerned without your consent, unless disclosure is required by law. Certified organisations are obliged not to disadvantage anyone on account of a report; a breach is a major nonconformity and may lead to withdrawal of the certificate.

Compliance of the certification body

Awareness Certification and the persons acting for it accept no gifts, invitations or other benefits from organisations they audit or whose certification they decide on, with the exception of low-value courtesies within customary hospitality. Fees are independent of the outcome. All persons are bound to confidentiality in writing and observe the provisions on anti-corruption and data protection. Details are set out in § 11 and § 11a of the Certification Conditions.

Submit a report

By form or directly by e-mail to compliance@awareness-certification.com. For confidential content we provide an encrypted channel on request.