Through ISO certification, companies demonstrate their compliance with and support for ISO standards for management systems, such as ISO 9001 for quality management or ISO 27001 for information management. ISO certification describes the process of obtaining a conformity assessment that confirms compliance with and support for the ISO standard. ISO certification can be carried out for projects, branches, departments, individual companies, or the entire organization.
The best-known ISO certification is ISO 9001 certification for management systems. On our website, we offer the following information: What is ISO certification, how is ISO certification carried out, and what steps does ISO certification consist of?
ISO certification is also possible within the scope of individual projects. For example, for projects in EU member states in accordance with ISO 9001:2015. ISO certification is carried out in a similar way to other certifications, by accredited certification organizations in EU countries. The ISO certification process in EU member states is carried out and supported by accredited certification bodies.
ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. The ISO organization itself does not issue certificates and declarations. It develops international standards and norms. ISO certification is conducted and supported by accredited certification bodies.
Most ISO standards have numbers: ISO 9001 - quality management, ISO 14001 - environmental management, ISO 26000 - sustainable development management, ISO 27001 - information security, ISO 50001 - energy management, ISO 45001 - occupational safety...
ISO certification is usually carried out in three stages:
Stage 1: Verification of requirements for ISO certification
Stage 2: External inspection and production audit
Stage 3: Issuance of the ISO certificate
The first stage of ISO certification is the verification of the enterprise for compliance with the requirements for ISO certification. The second stage is an external audit of the enterprise and an audit. The third stage is the issuance of an ISO certificate.
The main advantages of ISO certification:
The implementation of ISO standards allows companies to implement several ISO systems simultaneously.
ISO 9001 is the most well-known and widely used ISO certification worldwide. Every year, more than a million companies and facilities receive an ISO 9001 certificate. ISO 9001 certification regulates the establishment of a quality management system in the company. This is an ISO management system that allows the company to achieve a high customer orientation through process management, consistent documentation and regular listening to the company.
ISO 9001 certification is a sign of clear processes and procedures, knowledge management and continuous improvement of the company. ISO-certified companies compete much more successfully than companies whose success rests entirely on the shoulders of a few key performers.
The cost of ISO certification can vary significantly depending on the certification system. ISO certification is a complex process that depends on many factors. The duration of the ISO certification process depends on the certification system. Obtaining an ISO certificate can take several weeks.
The main principles of ISO standards are technical competence and neutrality. It is important that ISO certification is carried out by an accredited and competent certification body at a high professional level and without bias.