What is ISO Certification?
ISO certification is a seal of approval from a third party body that a company complies with the requirements of the international standards developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
The ISO are an independent, non-governmental international organization who brings together experts to share knowledge and develop international standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.
Why Do I Need ISO Certification?
Certification can be a useful tool to add credibility, by demonstrating that your management system and service meets the expectations of your customers. For some industries, certification is a legal or contractual requirement.
Each ISO Certification has huge benefits including:
- Better efficiency
- Stronger customer relationships and satisfaction
- Reduced costs
- Happier, more engaged employees
- Reduced insurance premiums
How Much Does It Cost?
ISO Certification costs vary depending on your business, we offer competitive pricing and a unique client led approach to our auditing services. Contact us today for a FREE, no obligation quote – Call us on 0161 470 5352 or fill out a form here and a member of our team will be in touch
How Does It Work?
Preparation
One of our expert auditors will contact you and discuss your audit plan, answer any questions you have and ensure you have got all the information you need.
Initial Stage One Assessment
The first assessment is to review the practices you already have in place and identify the areas that require improving or changing in order to achieve your certificate. Our auditors will then issue a full report highlighting the areas to work on before the next step.
The objectives of a Stage 1 Audit are to:
- Assess your Documented Management System
- Evaluate your Locations and any site-specific conditions
- Assess your understanding of the requirements of the standard
- Agree the scope of your Documented Management System, processes and location(s) and related statutory and regulatory aspects and associated risks
- Plan the Stage 2 Audit and establish your planning arrangements for Internal Audits and Management Reviews
- Determine your readiness for a Stage 2 Audit
Initial Stage Two Assessment
Once you are ready, we will review the changes you have made and see if you have met the requirements of the ISO Standard you have chosen. Our auditor will then highlight any areas for improvement.
The objectives of a Stage 2 Audit are to:
- Evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of your Management System
- Assess your performance against key performance objectives and targets (monitoring, measuring, reporting and reviewing)
- Evaluate your legal compliance, operational control of processes, Internal Audits, Management Reviews and Policies
- Evaluate links between the normative requirements, policy, performance objectives and targets, responsibilities, the competence of personnel, operations, procedures, and performance data.
- Identify any areas for potential improvement of the Management System
Annual Review - Surveillance
As part of the ISO Certification you are required to have an annual surveillance visit to ensure you have maintained compliance.
The objectives of a Surveillance Audit are to:
- Ensure your Management System has continued to fulfil requirements between Audits
- Ensure Internal Audits and Management Review have been performed to programme
- Review actions taken on nonconformities identified during previous Audits
- Evaluate your handling of any complaints
- Evaluate the continued effectiveness of the management system, with regard to achieving your objectives
- Evaluate your legal compliance and performance
- Evaluate your progress of planned activities aimed at continual improvement
- Ensure continuing operational control
- Review any changes to your organisation since the previous Audit
- Ensure that the PQAL and Accreditation Body marks are being used correctly
- Identify any areas for potential Improvement of the Management System