APPLICATION PROCESS FOR CERTIFICATION BODIESThe following information is intended for Certification Bodies (CBs) with an interest to offer
certification services according to the COSMOS-standard. The process and the requirements assummarized here are based on the COSMOS-standard, the COSMOS-standard Control Manual andthe Bylaws of the COSMOS-standard AISBL (COSMOS). These documents are available onwww.cosmos-standard.org.
Please note that in order to become a COSMOS authorised CB you have to be accepted as anassociate member of COSMOS and must be qualified to become authorised, which includes thegranting of accreditation towards COSMOS-standard by an Accreditation Body (AB). Therefore,
you should expect the complete process including the accreditation process to last approximately
one year, depending on the quality of the information provided.
The 10 steps process:1)

Upon your request (info@cosmos-standard.org) COSMOS will provide the following
documents:a) The Standard documents (COSMOS-standard, Technical Guide, Labelling Guide, Control
Manual)b) Application forms for membership (associate member) and CB authorisationc) COSMOS fee regulation2)

To apply, you need to return the two completed application forms to COSMOS and yourmembership application information will be checked for completeness.

3)

COSMOS will issue an invoice for the membership approval process as set out in the COSMOS
fee regulation and will submit your application documents to the COSMOS-Board after receiptof payment. The Board will discuss your membership application at the earliest possible date.

4)

The Board will decide on your application for associate membership taking into account theinterests of the association and all its members (Bylaws article 5). For example, conflicting
certification activities are not judged to be in the interest of the association. The Board will
decide on each associate membership application on a case-by-case basis with a majority of
3/4 of the votes. The board’s decision does not have to be justified and will be without any
recourse (Bylaws article 6).

5)

You will be informed about the Board’s decision and if you are approved as an associate
member, COSMOS will issue an invoice for CB authorisation as set out in the COSMOS feeregulation. The completeness of your application form will be checked after receipt ofpayment.

6)Complete documents will be submitted to the Board which will discuss your application at theearliest possible date. The decision will be based on the fulfilment of the requirements as set
out in the Control Manual (section 7.1 and 7.2).

7)After acceptance of the application by COSMOS, you must apply to your nominated AB tocommence the accreditation process. Please note that the choice of ABs is limited to thosethat are accepted by COSMOS.

8)

Following a positive review of your documentation by the AB (Control Manual 6.1.and 7.3.1)
COSMOS will issue a preliminary certifier contract which allows you to start certifying. The CB
details will be published on the COSMOS website.

9)

The AB will undertake its accreditation assessment and will inform COSMOS about the result.

10) In case of a positive accreditation decision, COSMOS will issue an Authorisation Certificate.