The scheme is the technical document that defines, for each standard, what is assessed, how it is assessed and the rules under which the certificate is maintained. As required by ISO/IEC 17024 and ISO/IEC 17021-1, every FVR™ scheme is documented and publicly available.
1What a certification scheme is
A certification scheme is the technical document that defines, for a specific standard, the competence requirements (people) or conformity requirements (organizations), the assessment criteria and methods, the available levels, eligibility, and the rules for maintaining the certificate.
As required by ISO/IEC 17024 (clause 8) and ISO/IEC 17021-1, every FVR™ certification is governed by a documented, controlled and public scheme. Each standard in the portfolio has its own scheme; what follows describes their common structure.
2Common structure of FVR™ schemes
Every scheme in the portfolio contains, as a minimum:
Scope and reference standard, with its version (e.g. ISO 9001:2015).
Available levels and how they differ.
Eligibility requirements per level.
Body of knowledge and competencies assessed.
Assessment method, format and pass criteria.
Rules for issuing, validity and maintenance of the certificate.
Conditions for use of the certification mark.
Grounds for suspension and revocation.
3Levels — People (ISO/IEC 17024)
For personnel certification, each standard is offered at three levels of competence:
Level
Code
What it certifies
Requirements
RQ
In-depth understanding of the standard's clauses and their application within an organization.
Internal Auditor
AU
Competence to plan and carry out internal audits.
Lead Auditor
AL
Advanced competence to lead teams, conduct third-party audits and produce reports.
4Eligibility requirements
The Requirements level is open to any interested professional. Internal Auditor and Lead Auditor call for prior knowledge of the standard and experience related to auditing or management systems, as set out in each certification's scheme.
5Assessment method
The assessment measures competence, not memorization. It combines knowledge questions with practical cases, plus video and audio from real audits that call for analysing, interpreting and resolving workplace situations.
100% online, with no test centres or fixed dates.
2 attempts per assessment, with feedback between attempts.
Instant result on completion.
Preparation (pre-recorded, AI-validated training, with no live instruction) is independent of the certification decision.
6Issuing, validity and maintenance
On passing, the digital certificate is issued immediately, with a QR code for public verification. The typical cycle under ISO/IEC 17024 is 3 years with interim surveillance.
People: the certificate's validity is conditional on maintaining an active subscription, in line with the certificate term and cancellation policy.
Recertification at the close of the 3-year cycle, through an updated assessment.
Change of standard version: a transition period is defined to update the certificate to the new version.
7Schemes — Companies (ISO/IEC 17021-1)
For management systems, the scheme follows the ISO/IEC 17021-1 certification cycle:
Phase
What it involves
Stage 1
Documentation and readiness review.
Stage 2
On-site implementation audit.
Surveillance
Follow-up audits in years 1 and 2.
Recertification
Before year 3 closes, a new cycle begins.
Audit durations are calculated using IAF MD 5 (headcount, complexity, risk and scope); sampling for multi-site organizations follows IAF MD 1.
8Suspension and revocation
A certificate may be suspended or revoked for misuse of the certificate or of the FVR™ mark, false information, breach of the scheme's rules or code of ethics, or failure to meet maintenance obligations. A suspension may be lifted once the cause is closed; revocation is final. The detail is in Certificate term and cancellation and in Complaints and appeals.