Gaining ISO Certification and Registration

Achieving Certification to the relevant Management Standard

ISO certification process – logos of various accreditation organizations.

The ISO certification process follows common steps for all Management Standards. To successfully complete an ISO assessment and registration you must follow these steps. The ISO certification process steps are straight forward…

1. Your top level management must fully commit to the project because they must drive it through.
2. Existing systems, documents & forms need to be reviewed against the ISO Standard.
3. You must allocate suitable resources and responsibilities. That is  because the ISO certification process needs proper funding and ownership by  everyone.
4. Review your existing critical documents, forms and work systems. That review will probably identify the need to change or add new documents, forms and systems to comply with the ISO Standard.
5. You must check system changes with key personnel, and as a result, revise as needed.
6. New documents, forms or systems may need to be drawn up. Consequently, staff training will be needed. Furthermore, systems will need to be carefully implemented in line with training.
7. Choose a suitable ‘Certification Organisation’ like BSI or NQA or TUV to carry out your assessment. Ensure your chosen organisation are accredited by UKAS, or other national Accreditation Body. They must be members of IAF (International Accreditation Forum).
8. Carrying out internal checks against the Standard Requirements (Internal Audits).
9. Putting in place Management Review Meetings. These ensure the new systems continue to meet the ISO Standard.
10. Assessment by the selected independent ‘Certification Organisation’.
11. If your organisation is successful on Assessment, then you gain formal accredited Certification and Registration to the Standard. Congratulations, well done!
12. Now you have achieved Compliance, you have extra tools to improve and to achieve your business objectives into the future.

ISO Certification Organisations

To gain ISO Certification your organisation must be independently assessed. The “ISO certification organisations” are independent organisations that carry out ISO assessment.  Hence,  they must be registered by, and members of, national Accreditation Bodies. In the UK, UKAS is the national Accreditation Body. Similarly, ANAB is the relevant body in the USA.

Furthermore, all Certification Organisations should be:

1. Independent from the Accreditation Bodies.
2. Independent of the organisations that they assessed/registered.
3. Checked and Registered by UKAS, ANAB or equivalent national Accreditation Body.
4. Independent of the consultancy assisting the documentation & implementation of the ISO 9001 or other Standard.

Certification Organisations in the UK therefore fall into these main groupings:

• Large international multi-disciplinary bodies such as BSI, NQA, Lloyds Register & TUV.
• Industry specific bodies such as Certification & Timber Grading Ltd, Print & Media Certification and Quality Scheme for Ready Mixed Concrete.
• Smaller Certification bodies such as IMS or IEC.

ISO Accreditation Bodies

The Government put in place a national body to oversee standards. UKAS is the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. The service was founded by the UK Department of Trade and Industry. As a result, UKAS carries out assessments and audits to register Certification Organisations.

Most countries have their own equivalent Government authorised Accreditation Body. To see their list of members visit their website at IAF.

The Accreditation Bodies check and approve the Individual Certification Organisations like BSI, NQA, IMS and TUV.