UNE 16636 – CEPA Certified®
The CEPA Certified® scheme is a unique European certification, promoted by the Confederation of European Pest Control Associations (CEPA) and its partners through their accredited certification bodies, with a specific protocol based on the UNE EN 16636 standard.
The European standard EN 16636 specifies the requirements for pest control services and the competencies that professional pest control service providers must meet in order to protect public health, property and the environment.
The requirements set out in this standard are designed to apply to any service provider whose activity falls within this scope, namely the specific scope of application of appropriate methods against pests.
Any legally established pest control service company, regardless of location, size and range of services is eligible for certification.
This standard does not apply to:
- Field crop protection.
- Routine cleaning and disinfection associated with regular contract cleaning services.
Advantages of UNE 16636 certification
CEPA Certified certification increases the return on investment and makes it easier for you to promote the professionalism of your sector to your customers. Many public administrations are interested in inviting tenders from companies certified in the EN 16636 standard. Other benefits are:
- Improved image with your customers: they will appreciate the CEPA Certified® status.
- Means to promote your professionalism based on service and quality instead of price.
- Better quality of service: the standard is designed to help you improve your business.
- A unique and independent benchmark of your company’s professionalism compared to your competitors.
- Increased awareness among your customers of your sector’s important role in public health.
Certification with EQA
EQA is a reputable organisation with a large number of accredited auditors to certify your company, wherever you operate. We are prepared to process your certification in a fast, professional and approachable manner. Furthermore, EQA is the first Spanish entity accredited by CEPA.
Due to the implications on quality, people protection and environmental commitments, this standard and the certification process is fully compatible with:
- ISO 9001: Quality Management.
- ISO 14001 / EMAS Regulation: Environmental Management.
- OHSAS 18001: Occupational Health and Safety Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Structure of UNE EN 16636
The structure of this standard is:
4 The professional approach to pest control.
5 Professional service process.
5.1 Contact with the Client.
5.2 Inspect / Evaluate / Monitor the site.
5.3 Assess the infestation, Identify pests and carry out root cause analysis
5.4 Assess Client and Site Risk Assessment.
5.5 Define legal scope of application.
5.6 Define pest control plan.
5.7 Formal proposal to client.
5.8 Provide agreed service.
5.9 Waste disposal.
5.10 Formal recording, reporting of service and recommendation to client.
5.11 Confirm effectiveness of service.
5.12 Monitoring.
6 Competence and Requirements.
6.1 Competence.
6.2 Equipment management.
6.3 Supply and use of pesticides.
6.4 Documentation and registration.
6.5 Insurance.
7 Subcontracting.
Annex A (Normative) Required competencies.
Annex B (Informative) The scope of services.
B.1 General information.
B.2 Protection of assets, including timber, timber products and other materials.
B.3 Protection of plants and plant products.
B.4 Health Protection of humans, domestic animals and livestock by pest control.
B.5 Health Protection of humans, pets and livestock by disinfection.
Annex C (informative) List of common European pests.
Annex D (informative) Environmental Checklist.
Certification in UNE EN 16636
The UNE EN 16636 certification process involves the following steps:
1- Apply to EQA for certification.
2- Complete the application questionnaire, where you must specify your company’s headquarters and the services you wish to certify.
3- Implement the EN 16636 standard, with the help of your association or expert consultants.
4- Self-assess your EN 16636 implementation. If you wish, you can receive a self-assessment questionnaire from EQA.
Carrying out the initial audit by the EQA audit team:
- Documentation review.
- Interviews with personnel.
- Review of records.
- Inspection of the services carried out at the client.
- Preparation of the report.
- Correction of non-conformities if necessary.
- Verification of corrective actions.
5- Issuance of a Certificate valid for three years.
6- To maintain the three-year validity, a follow-up audit must be carried out after 18 months. Prior to the expiry of the certificate, the certificate may be renewed for another three-year period.
Contact us for more information about UNE 16636
Certificación de Calidad