Impartiality Policy

TDSS Certification Services Pvt. Ltd is committed to ensuring impartiality, independence, and objectivity in all its certification activities.

We recognize that impartiality is fundamental to the credibility of certification and to maintaining confidence among clients, regulators, and other interested parties.

We ensure that:

• Certification activities are conducted free from bias, conflict of interest, or undue influence • Decisions are based solely on objective evidence of conformity • Commercial, financial, or other pressures do not compromise impartiality

We systematically identify, analyze, and document risks to impartiality arising from:

• Relationships with clients (financial, contractual, or personal) • Provision of consultancy or internal audits • Familiarity or intimidation threats • Outsourced activities • Activities of related bodies

All identified risks are recorded and regularly reviewed.

To eliminate or minimize risks:

• Personnel involved in certification are required to declare conflicts of interest • Individuals shall not audit organisations where they have provided consultancy within the defined period (typically 2 years) • Certification decisions are made by competent persons not involved in the audit • Rotation of auditors is implemented where necessary • Outsourced personnel are controlled under the same impartiality requirements

The Certification Body:

• Does not provide consultancy services related to management systems it certifies • Does not certify another certification body for its management system activities • Ensures clear separation between certification and any related activities

An independent Impartiality Committee is established to:

• Safeguard impartiality of certification activities • Review risks to impartiality and actions taken • Provide independent advice to top management • Represent balanced interests of stakeholders (industry, customers, regulators, etc.)

All personnel and committee members:

• Maintain strict confidentiality of client information • Do not use information for personal or commercial gain

All employees, auditors, experts, and committee members shall:

• Act impartially and ethically • Disclose any potential conflict of interest • Sign impartiality and confidentiality agreements

The Certification Body makes publicly available:

• Its certification processes • Policy on impartiality • Information about handling complaints and appeals

Top Management is fully committed to:

• Upholding impartiality in all certification activities • Ensuring adequate resources for managing impartiality risks • Reviewing this policy periodically for suitability and effectiveness