Dear GULF SQAS community,
We live in exceptional times that call for exceptional measures.
The guidelines from the health authorities to avoid human contact obviously impacts our assessment scheme in a very significant way.
The GULF SQAS Committee are issuing the following advice and guidelines:
- Planned assessments in the GULF SQAS database to be delayed because of the coronavirus issue. In these cases the pre-notifications uploaded should be cancelled or changed to a future date.
- I have received questions from some of you related to the possibility to carry out GULF SQAS assessments using remote auditing techniques (video conference, conference call, teams call, etc.). It is not allowed to carry out GULF SQAS assessments using these methodologies. This is a clear requirement both from our chemical manufacturing members and the logistics and distributors representatives. The justification is to keep the quality of the GULF SQAS assessments with the highest standard as usual.
- GULF SQAS assessments with expiring dates between today and 30/06/20 will be extended to 30/07/20. However, we advise you to inform the companies to be assessed to contact their clients because commercial contracts requiring mandatory GULF SQAS re-assessments ‘every 3 years’ should get the exemption granted by the client. I will also inform the companies to be assessed of the change.
Take care, we hope all remain safe and in good health.