Frequently Asked Questions
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1) What is Self-Declaration, an Self-Certification? --
For our purposes, we treat Self-Declaration and Self-Certification as
the same. In one case you are declaring you are compliant, or
conforming. In the other you are certifying your system as
compliant. To us, both are saying about the same thing. For our
purposes, we choose to use the term Self-Declaration.
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2) Why self-declare instead of registration? -- If
you have an effective system, and do not need the additional oversight
of a third party, then self-declaration might be a better alternative.
One important thing to remember, is that a QMS is designed to enable
your organization to provide product/service that meets customer
requirements. You must ensure your decision will be acceptable to your
customer(s).
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3) What about the cost of Self-Declaration versus
registration? -- While Self-Declaration is cheaper than
registration, in the long run it might be a great deal more costly.
Price should never be the most important factor in Self-Declaration. It
is only one of many factors. More important factors include customer
mandates and self-discipline. If you are struggling with registration,
you will fail with Self-Declaration. And that is where the real cost are
involved.
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4) Why use SDCAC? -- We are a midpoint between
registration and Self-Declaration. Just because you have the ability to
Self-Declare, does not mean you have the expertise to continually
improve your system. SDCAC acts as two things. First, we are a
"navigational beacon" to help guide your Self-Declaration
efforts. Secondly, we have specifically designed our program to
encourage you and provide tools to enable you to, and your QMS/EMS to
continually improve.
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5) Why do you have requirements that are not in the
standard? -- We know that the standard is only a starting point. In
order to be successful, you need to have active participation with your
QMS/EMS. We choose requirements and metrics that we have found to be
typical of organizations that succeed. We do maintain the flexibility to
exchange requirements and metrics for ones that are more meaningful to
the organization (requires approval).
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6) We are in the automotive
supply chain. Can we Self-Declare? -- The automotive
industry has some rather specific requirements. Most suppliers to the
Big 3 are required to be at registered to at least ISO 9001, by an
accredited third party. In some instances, this can be waived. Although
Self-Declaration could be a factor, and the use of SDCAC could be part
of that factor, more than likely you will need registration.
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7) We are third party
registered. Can SDCAC still be beneficial to us? -- SDCAC
is committed to highly effective QMS and EMS. We are designed to work
with your system, continually improving and increasing its
effectiveness. Registration is designed to ensure your system is
working, and that continual improvement takes place. These are
harmonious goals. If properly applied, SDCAC can greatly aid your
registration efforts.
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8) Why is this
program only available in the US? -- At this
point we simply do not have the organizational structure to
take this outside our our home country. We are currently
exploring options that will enable us to expand in the Canada
and Mexico. We are also looking into expansion into Europe.
But for now, we are restricted by a number of factors.
Want to enroll?
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