I am trying to determine how Certification bodies decide how many days of surveillance visits are required by their auditor for a) re certification and b) routine surveillance. We are a multi site operation with the above certifications covering the whole business rather than individual locations being certified. We are approximatly 700 people over 17 locations.

Is there some formula they use? Recently I have sought an alternative provider and there seems a big difference in the number of visits (and consequently the cost) between different certification bodies.

Many thanks Andy - that looks like interesting reading

Phil