9. Requests for interpretation of normative requirements

CARTV receives and processes requests of interpretation regarding normative requirements included in the accreditation manual or the specifications manual approved for a recognized reserved designation.

The processing of any request for interpretation submission shall be done in accordance with the Policy relative to interpretation of CARTV’s normative requirements.

9.1 Admitted petitioners

Request for an interpretation is limited to the following bodies

• the CARTV Certification Committee (CC)
• an accredited CARTV certification body
• an Applicant certification body

9.2 Decision about the request

Final decision regarding the interpretation of a normative requirement shall be made by the relevant Section of the Standards Committee. However, the Board shall have the final decision to adopt an accreditation manual interpretation when it concerns an accreditation decision to be made. There is no appeal to any decision relative to the interpretation of a CARTV’s normative requirement.

9.3 Submission

Requests shall be accompanied by a full and complete submission. A submission is made for each normative requirement separately, and as a stand-alone document. Submissions shall include the requesting party’s interpretation based on the concerned reference manual.

Request for additional information from the requesting party, where necessary, may be made by the CARTV.

The SC may dismiss an incomplete submission if no response is received after a request for more information within the 14 days period.

9.4 Notification of interpretations

As soon as the SC has adopted an interpretation, all relevant bodies shall be notified of the adopted resolution, including the rationale. Formal notification to relevant bodies shall include the requesting party, the accredited certifying bodies, and the CARTV technical committees.

9.5 Incorporation of interpretations

The Standards Committee shall decide if and how the interpretation should be incorporated into the next revision of the concerned reference manual, and makes its recommendation to the Board.