1. (a) The department shall approve a TPAO to conduct assessments if the TPAO:

   1. (1) Submits all information required by Env-C 310.04;

   2. (2) Documents that each of its TPAs meets the requirements specified in:

      1. a. Volume 2, Module 1, Sections 6.1.4 and 6.2.4 of the TNI standards; and
      2. b. Volume 2, Module 3, Sections 4.2 through 4.4 of the TNI standards;
   3. (3) Submits copies of quality system documentation that describes the TPAO operations related to on-site assessments;
   4. (4) Agrees to conduct assessments that meet the assessment procedures specified in Volume 2, Module 3, Section 6.0 of the TNI standards;
   5. (5) Agrees to use the quality systems checklist and technical checklists prepared by the department, or approved by the department as being equivalent to the department-prepared checklists, when conducting assessments;
   6. (6) Agrees to provide to the department a copy of the checklists used for an assessment with all findings recorded in hard copy or electronic copy within one calendar week of the assessment closing conference;
   7. (7) Agrees to provide a hard copy or electronic copy of all handwritten notes and documents used to prepare the checklists described in (6), above, to the department; and
   8. (8) Agrees to provide a draft of the assessment report to the department within 7 business days of the assessment closing conference.
2. (b) The department shall notify an applicant for approval as a TPAO in writing of the approval or denial of its application. If the application is denied, the notice shall specify the reason(s) for the denial.
3. (c) Upon being notified of its approval, the TPAO shall enter into a written agreement with the department by which it commits to meet the requirements of (a)(4) through (7), above, prior to conducting an assessment pursuant to Env-C 310.01 or Env-C 310.02.
4. (d) The department shall maintain a list of approved TPAOs on its website.
5. (e) TPAO approvals shall be valid for one year unless sooner suspended or revoked per Env-C 311.03.

Source. (See Revision Note at chapter heading for Env-C 300) #12065, eff 1-1-17; ss by #13291, eff 11-23-21