Certification Program Regulation

1. General Provisions

1.1. This Regulation defines the goals, objectives, and operating principles of the Certification Program named ATİA CERT, implemented by the Azerbaijan Construction Producers Association (hereinafter referred to as ATIA).

1.2. The Certification Program includes a relevant consulting service aimed at ensuring the necessary procedures and meeting the certification rules of relevant accreditation bodies, based on the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, ISO, TÜV, European, Chinese, Russian, Turkish, US, and internationally accepted best practices.

1.3. This Regulation refers to the Charter of ATIA and the current local and international standards.

2. Aims and Objectives

2.1. To assess the conformity of enterprises and organizations operating in the construction sector, as well as their works, services, and products, with international and national standards.

2.2. To ensure the international recognition of management systems, technical regulations, and infrastructure projects.

2.3. To adhere to the principles of transparency, objectivity, and impartiality in certification.

2.4. To increase the competitiveness of the Azerbaijani construction industry and expand its **export opportunities**.

3. Principles

3.1. Neutrality and Independence – Certification is separated from other commercial activities.

3.2. Impartiality and Equality – All applications are assessed using the same procedure.

3.3. Transparency – The process is open to the public.

3.4. Confidentiality – Information belonging to the client is protected.

4. Areas of Certification Organization

4.1. Management Systems (ISO and international)

ISO 9001 (Quality Management)

ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)

ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety)

ISO 50001 (Energy Management)

ISO 37001 (Anti-bribery Management)

ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security)

ISO/IEC 17025 (Testing and Calibration Laboratories)

ISO 31000 (Risk Management)

Other related ISO standards

4.2. ISO Standards for Construction

ISO 19650 (BIM Management)

ISO 21929, 21930, 21931 (Sustainability in Construction)

ISO 6707 (Building and Civil Engineering Terminology)

ISO 10845 (Procurement Procedures)

ISO 12944 (Corrosion Protection)

ISO 15686 (Service Life Planning)

ISO 16739 (IFC Data Exchange)

ISO 21500/21502 (Project Management)

ISO 3834 (Welding Quality)

ISO 9869 (Thermal Performance)

Other related ISO standards

4.3. European Norms and Regulations

Eurocodes (EN 1990–1999) – Concrete, steel, masonry, timber, seismic design, etc.

FIDIC Conditions of Contract – Red, Yellow, Silver, Green Books.

RICS Professional Standards – Project Management and Valuation Codes.

CEN/CENELEC – European Technical Norms.

Other Related Standards, Norms, and Regulations

4.4. U.S. international codes and standards

IBC (International Building Code)

IRC (International Residential Code)

IEBC (International Existing Building Code)

IFC (International Fire Code)

IPC (International Plumbing Code)

IECC (International Energy Conservation Code)

NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code)

ASCE 7 – Load calculations (wind, snow, seismic effects)

ASTM International – Material test methods

ANSI A117.1– Accessibility standards

Other related standards, norms, and regulations

4.5. Chinese building codes (GB, JGJ)

GB 50009 – Loads

GB 50010 – Concrete structures

GB 50011 – Seismic design

GB 50016 – Fire safety

GB 50202 – Earthworks

GB 50204 – Concrete construction

GB 50205 – Steel structures

GB 50300 – Quality acceptance regulations

JGJ 3 – Steel-concrete composite structures

JGJ 59 – Construction safety

JGJ 120 – Residential buildings

JGJ 134 – Green building

Other related standards, norms, and regulations

4.6. Russian Federation codes (SNiP, SP, GOST)

SNiP 2.01.07-85 – Loads and actions

SNiP II-22-81 – Masonry structures

SNiP 52-01-2003 – Concrete and reinforced concrete

SP 20.13330.2016 – Loads and actions (updated)

SP 63.13330.2018 – Concrete structures

SP 70.13330.2012 – Earthworks and foundations

GOST R 57309-2016 – Green building standard

Other related standards, norms, and regulations

4.7. Turkish standards (TS, TBDY, TSE)

TS 500 – Requirements for design and construction of reinforced concrete structures

TS EN 1990–1999 – Turkish implementation of Eurocodes

TBDY 2018 – Turkish Building Earthquake Code

TS 498 – Design loads for buildings

TS EN ISO series – Turkish adoptions of ISO standards

TSE Green Building Codes – Energy efficiency and ecological design

Other related standards, norms, and regulations

4.8. Republic of Azerbaijan National Codes (AzDTN/DBN and other legislation)

Urban Planning and Construction Code

Fire Safety Regulations

Seismic Safety Standards

Energy Efficiency and Green Building regulations

AzDTN 2.01.01 – Construction climatology

AzDTN 2.02.01 – Earthworks and foundations

AzDTN 2.03.01 – Reinforced concrete structures

AzDTN 2.03.02 – Steel structures

AzDTN 2.04.01 – Masonry structures

AzDTN 2.05.01 – Timber structures

AzDTN 2.06.01 – Water supply and sewerage

AzDTN 2.07.01 – Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning

AzDTN 2.08.01 – Electrical supply

AzDTN 2.09.01 – Fire safety

Other related standards, norms, and regulations

5. Management and structure

(Department, audit teams, technical committees, appeals mechanism)

5.1. The Certification Program is implemented by the Certification Department established under ATIA.

5.2. The Certification Department consists of:

Expert group;

Technical committee;

Audit teams;

An Appeals and Complaints Committee operates.

5.3. The structure is organized in accordance with the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO 17011 standards.

6. Certificate Issuance and Validity Period

6.1. Certificates are issued to an applicant only after the enterprise has successfully passed an audit and received approval from the relevant accreditation body that has a cooperation agreement with ATIA. The information and supporting documents are then displayed on the ATIA website.

6.2. Certificate Validity Period: In accordance with the requirements of the relevant accreditation body.

6.3. During the validity period, a surveillance audit is conducted at least twice each year.

6.4. Grounds for Certificate Suspension or Revocation:

Failure to eliminate non-conformities with the standard's requirements;

Misuse of the certificate;

Violation of ATIA regulations.

7. Complaints and Appeals

7.1. Complaints and appeals related to certification are investigated by the independent Appeals Commission established under ATIA.

7.2. Decisions are made in accordance with international practice.

8. Financing

8.1. The certification activity is funded by the fees and tariffs paid by applicants.

8.2. Tariffs are approved annually by ATIA and made public.

9. Final Provisions

9.1. Amendments to these Regulations are made by decision of the Chairman of ATIA.

9.2. These Regulations shall take effect from the date of approval.


Annex to the Regulations of the ATIA Certification Program

The purpose and legal status of the Program, and the functions of the certification center established under ATIA.

Reference: ISO/IEC 17021-1 (Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems).

Quality Policy

Commitments to neutrality, independence, and impartiality in accordance with the principles of TÜV, ISO, etc. An official document approved by ATIA.

Management Documents

Management and Control Mechanism

Certification management board, technical committees, appeals and complaints commission. Accreditation structure compliant with ISO 17011 requirements.

Confidentiality and Impartiality Protocol

Mechanisms for preventing conflicts of interest among employees and experts.

Operational Documents

Certification Procedure

1. Application acceptance and initial assessment.

2. Audit planning (Stage 1 and Stage 2).

3. Certification decision and surveillance audit.

4. Certificate suspension and withdrawal rules.

Audit Working Procedures

Based on ISO 19011:2018 (Guidelines for auditors).

Participation of an independent audit team, observers, and technical experts.

Risk Assessment Mechanism

Analysis of certificate misuse, fraudulent use, and poor quality service risks.

Technical and Normative Annexes

Sample Certificate

ATIA logo + accreditation logo (e.g.: TÜV/ISO)

Certificate number, scope, validity period.

Certification Fees and Rates

Application fee, audit fee, annual surveillance fee.

Complaints and Appeals Procedures

Based on international practice (e.g., TÜV SÜD, TÜV Rheinland, SGS).

Training and Continuous Development

Training Program for Auditors and Experts

Training modules on ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001.

Continuous development plan (CPD – Continuous Professional Development).

Continuous Monitoring for Certificate Holders

Annual report requirement.

Unannounced audit mechanisms.

Additional Documents

Certification Application Form.

Rules of Use for Certificate Holders.

Declaration of Neutrality.