The Link-up Audit regime builds on the questionnaire process to qualify applicants for product codes that are high risk or critical to the infrastructure.
- Each supplier receives an audit protocol based on their individual product code footprint
- Industry specialists facilitated by Link-up have developed audit questions for use in the audit regime
- Questions are approved by Network Rail, or where appropriate, other designated approved bodies
- All Link-up auditors are licensed to operate within the regime and have undergone training specific to the scheme. They have been selected not only for their auditing expertise but also for their knowledge and experience in specific product code areas
- Applicants who cannot demonstrate compliance with their individual protocol elements will not qualify
- An appeals process is available to any supplier who feels they have been unjustly treated.
The Process for Suppliers
- If you apply for a Link-up Audit auditable product code you must first meet the criteria set within the Link-up questionnaire. See information on Link-up.
- Once you are successful at the questionnaire stage a Link-up Audit request will be generated listing all product code that are subject to the audit, and sent to you.
- Upon receipt of payment for the audit (please see the “registration” section for details) an auditor will be assigned by Link-up to carry out the audit.
- On successful completion an executive summary of the audit is made available via the Rail portal to all scheme subscribers. The suppliers’ status will be updated to “Qualified via Audit” for applicable product codes. Link-up Partner subscribers have access to a copy of the full audit report
- The Link-up Audit is conducted on an annual basis. You will be advised in advance of your renewal date to give you the opportunity to prepare for the audit.