When is an ISO certificate valid?
An ISO certificate confirms that an organization’s management system conforms to a given standard - for example ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 - following an audit by an independent certification body. It is issued for a three-year certification cycle, and its validity is maintained through surveillance audits in the second and third years.
That is why the printed expiry date alone does not prove that the certificate is valid today. If the organization fails its surveillance audit or stops meeting the requirements, the body may suspend the certificate, reduce its scope or withdraw it.
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Valid | The certificate is in force and the surveillance audits take place on time. |
| Suspended | The certificate is temporarily invalid until the organization removes the cause - for example a missed surveillance audit. |
| Reduced scope | The certificate covers only some of the activities or sites for which it was issued. |
| Withdrawn | The certification has been terminated and the organization may not refer to it. |
| Expired | The certification cycle has ended without recertification. |
How do you check an ISO certificate step by step?
No specialist knowledge is needed - everything you need is printed on the certificate itself. Have a copy ready and follow the steps.
- 1Read the certificate
Find the name and address of the organization, the standard with its version (for example ISO 9001:2015), the scope, the unique number and the dates - of issue, of expiry and of the surveillance audits.
- 2See which body issued it
The certificate must state the name and address of the certification body. The body issues the certificate and is responsible for it.
- 3Check the body’s accreditation
The accreditation mark shows which accreditation body assessed the certification body. Look the body up in the accreditation body’s register and check whether the accreditation covers this exact standard.
- 4Check the status by number
Ask the body that issued the certificate or search for the company in IAF CertSearch. The answer should state whether the certificate is valid, suspended or withdrawn.
- 5Compare the details
The name and address must match the commercial register, and the scope and sites must match the activity for which you need the certificate.
Accreditation is granted per standard. A body accredited for ISO 9001 is not necessarily accredited for ISO 22000 or ISO/IEC 27001 as well - check the scope of the accreditation, not just the name of the body.
What does IAF CertSearch show?
IAF CertSearch is the global database of accredited certificates, established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and its members. You can search it by company name or by certificate details. As of October 2026, the database brings together more than 3.7 million certificates issued by 2,571 certification bodies accredited by 81 accreditation bodies.
- The certificateWhether it is valid and for which sites, scope and sectors it was issued.
- The certification bodyWhether it is accredited to issue certificates to this standard.
- The accreditation bodyWhether it has signed the mutual recognition arrangement for this standard.
- The source of the dataThe data are submitted by the certification and accreditation bodies under the rules of the mandatory document IAF MD 28.
If you cannot find the certificate in the database, that does not necessarily mean it is fake - ask the body that issued it. If the body cannot confirm its validity, do not accept the certificate as evidence.
What are the red flags when checking a certificate?
- An unknown “accreditation body”
The mark belongs to an organization that is not a national accreditation body and has not signed the mutual recognition arrangements. Such a certificate is not accredited, however convincing it may look.
- A scope that does not cover the activity
The certificate covers trading, but the contract is for construction or installation. Or the site where the contract will be performed is not within the scope.
- Dates that do not add up
A validity period of more than three years from issue, a missing endorsement of the annual surveillance audit, or an expired certificate presented as current.
How do you check a certificate issued by CERTIND S.A.?
Certificates through Euro Standard Certification are issued by CERTIND S.A. - a body accredited by RENAR to ISO/IEC 17021-1 (No. SM 041). For ISO 22301 and ISO 39001, the body is also accredited by IAS (USA). RENAR is a signatory of the EA MLA and a member of Global ACI, so under Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 the certificates are recognized in Bulgaria and throughout the EU.
- The status is confirmed by CERTIND at office@certind.ro or through the certificate status form on the body’s website.
- The certificates are also registered in the global IAF CertSearch database.
- The “Annual visa until” field shows the month by which the annual surveillance audit must take place at the latest, and after a successful audit a hologram is placed on the certificate.
See what each element of the certificate means on the page Certified clients, and the accreditation documents on the page Accreditation.
Questions about checking ISO certificates
Is a certificate valid as long as its expiry date has not passed?
Not necessarily. A certificate can be suspended or withdrawn before that date - for example if the annual surveillance audit has not taken place. That is why you should check the status with the body that issued it or in IAF CertSearch.
Is an ISO certificate from a foreign certification body recognized in Bulgaria?
Yes, if the body is accredited. Under Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, EU Member States recognize as equivalent the accreditations of national accreditation bodies that have successfully undergone peer evaluation, and the certificates of the bodies they accredit. In Bulgaria, the national body is the Executive Agency “Bulgarian Accreditation Service”.
What should I do if I cannot find the certificate in IAF CertSearch?
Ask the body that issued it whether the certificate is valid. If the body cannot confirm it, do not accept the certificate as evidence.
How do I check a certificate issued through ESCERT?
The certificates are issued by CERTIND S.A. Their status is confirmed at office@certind.ro or through the status form on the CERTIND website, and the certificates are also registered in IAF CertSearch.