10. Exemptions from Standards

10.1 Reference standards adopted and published by the Board shall specify the types of exemptions that could be granted to operators by certifiers involved in the evaluation of operations resulting in the products pertaining to the certification request.

10.2 When an exemption request submitted by an operator to a certifying body is not deemed to be a type of exemption covered by reference standards, the certifying body may make its own decision regarding this request or it may refer it to the concerned Standards Committee section.

10.3 When the certifying body has granted an exemption from reference standards, it shall document this decision in its records by specifying: a) the nature of the exemption; b) the period during which it is valid; and c) the rationale behind the decision. The certifier shall inform the CARTV of this decision when submitting its annual report.

10.4 If the certifying body decides to refer the exemption request to the concerned Standards Committee section, it must submit all the information the board will require to make its decision.

10.5 If the Standards Committee considers the request to be a minor one, it may return the request to the certifier. However, if the Board has decided to process the request, its decision may not be appealed.