The Certification Officer is an independent statutory person. The post, which is part-time was established under the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.
The Certification Officer's powers were extended and strengthened by the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 and the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Orders 1999 and 2004.
The legislation provides the Certification Officer with powers to determine a range of complaints by trade union members against their unions and to ensure that the internal affairs of trade unions and employers' associations are properly conducted.
The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) is responsible under Article 69 of the 1992 Order for providing the Certification Officer with finance and support services but in no way affects the Certification Officer's independence of both the LRA and its sponsor, the Department of Employment and Learning, in the performance of his duties.
The Office of the Certification Officer is defined as a "Public Authority"for the purpose of Section 75 of the NI Act 1998.
The current Certification Officer, Mr Roy Gamble, was appointed on the 11th of April 2005 and was reappointed for a second term on the 1st April 2008.