Certification Body Consultations on GSTC Policy and Certification Requirements
Currently Open Consultations
| Description | Reference Code | Open To Whom | Open Date | Deadline for Submissions |
Upcoming Future Consultations
| Description | Reference Code | Open To Whom | Opening Date | Deadline for Submissions |
| Review of draft Accreditation Manual v2.0/Destinations | 2023CON | All interested parties | expected in 2023 | 2 months after the opening date |
Interpretation and Amendment Documents on GSTC Accreditation Manual v2.4 and v2.5
| Description | Reference Code (incl. file) | Document Section(s) Referenced: | Specific Item(s) Referenced: | Date |
| Interpretation document on section 11.3.1 Skill Qualification and 11.3.1.1 Formal training of ISO17065 | 2019INTD01 | 11.3 Certification: Understanding and applying the international norms for certification | 11.3.1 Skill Qualification 11.3.1.1 Formal training of SO17065:12; or 11.3.1.2 At least five years as a decision maker with an ISEAL or IAF accredited certification body | 16-September-2019 |
| Interpretation document on section 15 Sampling within the Audit | 2019INTD02 | Section 15 – Sampling within the Audit | 15.1.2 – Guidelines for the type of sampling and size of the samples to be employed in each instance | 16-September-2019 |
| Amendment document on section 10.7.3 Knowledge Competencies | 2021AMD01 | Section 10 – Auditor Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills | 10.7.3. Knowledge Competencies 10.7.3.1 Demonstrate understanding of Sustainable Tourism by passing examination set by the GSTC STTP Program. | 08-April-2021 |
| GSTC AMv2.5 Interpretation document on section 8.5.12.1 Elements of audit | 2023INTD01 | 8. Conformity with GSTC Requirements 8.5. Requirements for the application of ISO 17065 ISO 17065:2012 7.4 Evaluation | 8.5.12. GSTC Requirements to ISO 17065:2012 Clause 7.4.3 8.5.12.1. At each audit, the CB shall use an audit checklist/evaluation tool which includes all criteria and indicators of the Reference Standard and requires the completion, for each criterion, of the auditor’s conclusion (conform, not conform or not assessed), based on evidence obtained from the audit process. | 02-February-2023 |
| Description | Reference Code | Open To Whom | Open Date | Deadline for Submissions |
| 201930-October-2019DRAFT Tour Operator On-Site Audit Guidance (Relating to Sections 13 and 14 of the GSTC Accreditation Manual v2.4) Please submit comments on the same word document to td@gstcouncil.org Draft: “DRAFT Tour Operator On-Site Audit Guidance relating to Section 13 and 14” | 2019CON01 | Accredited CBs and CBs in the process of accreditation | ||
| Comment on provisional agenda for December 4th GSTC-CBs Meeting in the Azores (prior to GSTC2019 Conference) Please submit comments on the same word document to roi@gstcouncil.org Agenda document: GSTC-CBs Meeting, Dec 4th Azores | Accredited CBs Recognized Standard Owners | 7-October-2019 | 4-November-2019 | |
| Survey of CB’s Current Audit Frequency & Duration practices | 2020CON01-HA 2020CON01-TO 2020CON01-D | Accredited CBs, CBs in the process of accreditation, CBs with GSTC Recognized Standards | 28-January-2020 | 27-March-2020 |
Review of draft Accreditation manual v2.5/Hotels & Tour Operators
| 2020CON02 | All interested parties | 21-August-2020 | 31-October-2020 |