Obtaining ISO certification is a significant step. ISO has multiple benefits, including proving your company’s expertise and dedication to continuous development in a specific field (like quality management strategy or environmental management).
Being certified can help you gain credibility by proving that your product or service meets customer expectations. Certification is required by law or contract in several sectors.
ISO creates international standards like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Certification bodies employ various standards developed by ISO’s Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO) that pertain to the certification process.
How Do You Pick a Body That Certifies ISO?
Getting a management system certified by a certification body is often the next step after a company implements a management system in accordance with one or more ISO management system standards.
An organisation must select a certification body if it needs to certify its management system in accordance with ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, AS9100, ISO 20000, IATF 16949, or ISO 13485.
6 Steps to Pick the Best Organization for ISO Certification
To be clear, we are referring to authentic certification organisations, not businesses that pretend to be recognised certification organisations. Some companies that were certified by non-accredited certification bodies ultimately ended up in the trash.
Let’s examine some of the most important things to think about while selecting a certification authority. If you’re pressed for time, here’s a summary:
Accreditation by Third Parties
The most essential and initial step is unquestionably verifying the integrity of any ISO certification body by examining its accreditation with globally renowned organizations or accreditation forums. I’ve described the distinction between accreditation and certification, in case you were wondering.
We can summarize the key differences between certification and accreditation in two main elements, the first is that certification focuses on the management system inside organization while accreditation ensure the technical competence of an entity to perform specific operations. The second distinction is that certification can be granted by multiple granting bodies within one country, on the other hand, the accreditation is provided by a single national body.
Reputable organisations like the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) or other international accreditation forums uphold high standards for accreditation. These forums guarantee that certifying bodies have the necessary knowledge and conduct themselves honourably.
Experience in the Related Field
A certification body with experience in the field can provide a deeper explanation of the standards, challenges, and best practices particular to your industry.
This kind of experience is quite helpful when negotiating the intricacies of ISO standards in a particular industry.
Expertise is necessary for the certification procedure to be successful. It guarantees that audits are conducted efficiently and that the data and suggestions offered are useful and relevant.
In addition to streamlining the certification process, the combination of industry experience and skills benefits the company by bringing applicable practices and knowledge. Sustaining ISO certification and continuously improving operating procedures require this knowledge.
Openness
Building confidence and ensuring the smoothest possible certification journey depends on transparency in the certification process.
It’s critical to keep lines of communication open between your company and the certification organisation. This will assist in answering queries, dispelling doubts, and making sure you are ready for each stage of the certification procedure.
The foundation for a successful ISO certification experience is a transparent certification procedure that is marked by open communication.
If you grasp the procedures clearly from the beginning, you can better control your expectations during the certification process.
Local Presence
Having a local certifying organisation can significantly impact communication and cooperation during and after the certification process.
Maintaining a local presence facilitates communication by helping to arrange meetings and future surveillance or recertification audits. It also guarantees that any questions you may have will be answered more quickly.
A certifying body’s local or regional presence enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of the certification process along the path to certification, making it a fruitful and collaborative experience.
Accessibility and a local presence go hand in hand since they enable prompt communication and resolution of any issues that may come up during or after the certification process.
The Cost of Certification
Financial concerns play a role in every business choice, and choosing an ISO certification organisation is no exception.
It’s critical to choose a certification organisation with a clear and transparent price structure to ensure that you get good value for your money.
It’s important to discuss the financial aspects of your certification in detail because there may be hidden expenses. Any additional costs for follow-up audits (should your audits uncover significant non-conformances!) or other services should be covered by this.
Customer Service
After earning the certification, the certification process continues into post-certification support. Sustaining certification and improving business excellence requires ongoing improvement activities.
A certification body that offers excellent customer service can significantly benefit your organisation’s quest for continuous improvement. This body can streamline the certification process, plan your upcoming audits, provide comments on ISO compliance, and offer advice when you need it most.
An intelligent step in getting your ISO certification is picking the best and most appropriate certification organisation, such as ATMACSS. You may ensure a positive experience and establish the foundation for ongoing development and operational excellence by navigating this path with the appropriate certification partner.
ATMACSS| Business Consultation Company in UAE
Once you have all the information you require, act quickly to obtain the certification. ATMACSS can assist you with ISO certification and implementation. Based on your requirements, we have customised solutions to validate your company with local guidance. Give us a call right now.