An introduction to Diamond Mark Certification process and outline of costs

Unlike some other Certifiers, we believe strongly in checking the systems of production and also in sampling the ongoing quality of the product(s) on a regular basis, as well as annual audits in the UK/Europe. For production facilities in the rest of the world, in-person audits are every two years, with remote audits carried out in intermediate years.

There is an Annual Scheme Membership Fee of 1,000.00 GBP, payable upon joining the Scheme; and then renewable each January thereafter. As a condition of acceptance onto the DM Scheme, new clients must have a full audit of their entire production facilities, carried out by one of our Diamond Mark Certification Auditors at the production facility itself, in order that we can approve your manufacturing quality and your ongoing QC procedures. The costs of doing an audit in Asia are currently £3,000.00 GBP, plus all necessary expenses charged at cost. However, if we are able, on future occasions, to schedule your routine Audit to coincide with an audit of another Scheme Member’s production facilities in the same region, then we can usually split some or all of the expenses, to help make it cheaper for each client.

Because auditing is an ongoing process, we also require a re-audit at the production facility every second year; plus sample testing of the product – usually twice per year – to ensure that the product is still performing to the required specification. We normally prefer to collect our own randomly-chosen samples from the stock at the premises of an importer in the UK or EU. The costs of sample testing are currently £850.00 GBP per test regime: but this can cover up two different products e.g. two different panel types and/or thicknesses, two dimensions of tiling batten, etc.

For further information or to begin the process of application for Diamond Mark Scheme Membership, please contact us.