Why Trust and Compliance Matter
As a third-party certification body, KSQA's value to clients depends entirely on operating independently, accurately, and in compliance with the international standards that govern certification bodies. The sections below describe the governance structure, controls, and oversight that back every certificate KSQA issues.
Governance and Impartiality
KSQA's Impartiality Committee is an independent body responsible for identifying, reviewing, and eliminating threats to impartiality across all audits, including any personal or organizational relationships that could affect independence between an auditor and the reviewer who signs off on their work.
Supporting controls:- Annual impartiality declarations required from all personnel involved in audits or reviews
- A conflict of interest register maintained and available to IAS on request
- Every audit report reviewed and signed off by a qualified individual who did not conduct the audit, consistent with ISO/IEC 17021-1 Clause 6.1
Accreditation and Certification Scope
KSQA holds direct IAS accreditation for the following schemes. These are the credentials verifiable in the IAS public registry.
| Standard | Accreditation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) | MSCB-207 | Active |
| AS9100 (Aerospace Quality Management Systems) | ASA-101 | Active |
Compliance Framework
KSQA's certification process operates under the following standards, each a direct requirement of maintaining active IAS accreditation.
| Standard | Governs | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 17021-1 | Impartiality, competence, complaint handling, and management system requirements for certification bodies | Active |
| ISO/IEC 17011 | IAS's obligations as KSQA's accreditation body, including annual assessment and surveillance | Active |
| AS9100 ICOP | IAQG scheme rules for aerospace certification bodies, covering auditor credentialing and OASIS record accuracy | Active |
| AS9104/1 | Prompt client notification of any accreditation status change | Active |
| IAF MLA | Global recognition of KSQA-issued certificates while accreditation remains active | Active |
Internal Controls
- Audit report review and sign-off by a reviewer independent of the auditor
- Accurate OASIS record entry for every audit, including whether it was conducted on site or remotely
- Prompt client notification of any accreditation status change
- Auditor credentials verified with Probitas Authentication before every assignment
- Certificates issued only after all audit stages, nonconformity closures, and current accreditation status are confirmed
- Audit documentation retained for a minimum of 7 years or the certification cycle plus one, whichever is longer
Monitoring and Oversight
Compliance is monitored at three levels operating in parallel:
- KSQA monitoring its own auditors and processes
- IAS conducting annual surveillance of KSQA
- IAQG and Probitas Authentication monitoring auditor credentials
External Oversight
| Body | Role | Registry |
|---|---|---|
| International Accreditation Service (IAS) | Accredits KSQA, conducts annual surveillance, maintains accreditation status | iasonline.org |
| International Accreditation Forum (IAF) | Oversees IAS through the IAF MLA peer evaluation regime | iaf.nu |
| Probitas Authentication | Manages IAQG auditor credentialing for the AS9100 scheme | Via IAQG channels |
Continuous Improvement
KSQA applies the same Plan-Do-Check-Act discipline to its own operations that its certifications require of clients: defining compliance objectives, implementing documented procedures, monitoring performance through internal audit and IAS surveillance, and acting on findings through corrective action.
This page is reviewed and updated on a regular schedule to reflect the current state of KSQA's compliance program.
Client Protections and Verification
Right to verify
Confirm the current status of any KSQA-issued certificate directly through the IAS registry, OASIS, or IAF CertSearch.
Right to transfer
Transfer certification to another accredited certification body at any time, with KSQA providing the required audit history and documentation.
Right to audit records
Request access to your own audit reports, nonconformity records, and related documentation.
Right to independent review
Request that your audit review be handled by a reviewer with no personal or organizational relationship to your auditor, consistent with KSQA's Impartiality Committee oversight.
Confidentiality
Client audit documentation and quality management system information are treated as confidential and shared only with IAS, IAQG, or Probitas Authentication or as required by law.
How to Raise a Compliance Concern
Contact KSQA directly at contact@ksqa.org with your certificate number and a description of the concern. General compliance inquiries receive a written response promptly.
If a concern remains unresolved:Compliance Team
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| President Natasha Hughes | Overall business operations and quality policy oversight |
| Impartiality Committee | Independent oversight of conflict of interest safeguards across all audits |
| Compliance function | Maintains the internal quality management system, coordinates IAS assessment scheduling, and keeps this page current |
For the specific 2025–2026 review behind these controls, see Historical Compliance Events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my certificate currently valid?
Verify your certificate's current status directly at the IAS registry, OASIS, or IAF CertSearch, or contact KSQA for written confirmation.
How can I verify KSQA's accreditation?
KSQA holds IAS accreditation for ISO 9001 (MSCB-207) and AS9100 (ASA-101), both verifiable in the public IAS registry.
What does the Impartiality Committee do?
It provides independent oversight to identify and eliminate any threat to impartiality in KSQA's audits, including relationships between auditors and reviewers.
Can I transfer my certification to another certification body?
Yes. Clients may transfer to any other accredited certification body at any time. KSQA provides the required audit history and OASIS documentation to support the transfer.
What standards does KSQA certify?
ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, and ISO 27001.
How long does certification take?
KSQA's standard is 2 to 3 business days after all audit stages and quality gates are cleared, compared to an industry norm of 30 to 45 days.
How does KSQA protect client information?
Client audit documentation and quality management system information are treated as confidential and shared only with IAS, IAQG, or Probitas Authentication or as required by law.
KSQA is a third-party certification body serving electronics manufacturing, machined parts, service organizations, engineering firms, aerospace and defense, and medical device businesses across the United States, with more than 20 years of experience and hundreds of successful certifications.
Contact
5760 Hwy 32, Water Valley, MS 38965