Updated GWO Requirements For Certification Bodies Brings Important Changes Including For The Certification of Multi-site Training Providers

The first of October 2022 saw Global Wind Organisation launch the latest version (V11) of its Requirements for Certification Bodies. This updated guidance on how certification bodies interact within the GWO community again focusses on the role of audit and certification of training providers. Among the provisions for version 11 are: a definition of non-conformity, further provision related to GWO’s Auditor Qualification Training, clarification on the qualification process for GWO auditors, criteria for defining multi-site training providers as well as specific requirements for their certification such as the production of an internal audit plan.

The most significant update coming into effect in these Requirements is the addition of a multi-site certification scheme. GWO has introduced this in response to the call from larger training providers for GWO to offer a flexible approach for training centres that operate under a single management system, share staff and have other common features. The exact criteria to qualify under the multi-site scheme are detailed in the document along with the documentation needed to demonstrate compliance. A core element of the multi-site scheme is the inclusion for the first time in the GWO certification system of an internal audit element within a planned certification approach. This means, within specified parameters, a limited number of internal audits can form part of the overall audit trail leading to external certification. As well as allowing relevant training providers the possibility of increased compliance flexibility, GWO expect that training providers in multi-site scheme can achieve cost differentials while still meeting quality management demands.

GWO CEO, Jakob Lau Holst said;

GWO is committed to seek simple and proportionate responses in all that it does. The greater flexibility and cost-efficiency offered by the multi-site certification scheme maintains GWO ambitions for quality assurance of training while acknowledging capability of those training providers who have strong internal auditing functions. I would like to thank the working group of training providers, auditors and members who have identified this opportunity.

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