International Organisation for Standardisation

• BEWARE of Non-Accredited 'Certification Bodies' offering ISO Certification, and wanting to sign you up for 10 years.  Sadly, you might not realise this until you fail a Tender process, and your Tender Application is dismissed.  Please see our Useful Links page for links to some Genuine Accredited Certification Bodies.
• ISO Standards should add value to your business, if implemented and maintained correctly.
• Certificates last for 3 years (subject to annual audits).
• Expect the process to take around six months, before Stage 1, although this is dependent on the number of staff and offices.
• The Audit process consists of:

Year 1

• Stage 1 Audit - Predominately document reviews, and assesses your readiness for Stage 2.
• Stage 2 Audit - Usually at least 3 months after Stage 1, to ensure there is enough 'evidence' for the Auditor's Report.  Stage 2 includes a detailed Audit of your Management System and processes, which includes interviewing staff and evidence gathering - First certificate provided if successful.

Year 2

• Surveillance Visit 1 - Usually 9 or 10 months after Stage 2, which then becomes your 'rough' annual Audit date.  It's a shorter visit than Stage 2, which includes a sample of staff interviews and evidence gathering of mandatory elements of the Standard, plus a sample of other elements.

Year 3

• Surveillance Visit 2 - Usually around 12 months after the Surveillance Visit 1 Audit and will follow a similar structure.  'Additional sample elements', may differ, as long as mandatory elements are audited.

Year 4

• Recertification Audit - Usually around 12 months after the Surveillance Visit 2 Audit and will follow a similar structure to the Stage 2 Audit.  A new 3 year certificate is provided if successful.