Steps in choosing a certification body

How does choosing a certification body work?

The choice is made in six consecutive steps. Each one answers a specific question — what you need, who can do it, on what terms and at what price.

This article describes the process. The criteria for evaluating each body — accreditation, auditors, team, price and quality, integrated systems, certificate languages and logo — are described in detail in the guide How to choose a certification body. Use the two together.

1. 1Define your needs and standards

   Which standards, for what scope and by when.

2. 2Collect quotes

   Send the same data to several bodies.

3. 3Check the accreditation

   Make sure the accreditation covers your standard.

4. 4Compare the quotes

   Compare the audit days, the cycle and the terms.

5. 5Clarify the terms

   Clarify the schedule, the language, the certificate and the logo.

6. 6Sign the contract

   Fix the scope, timelines and price for the whole cycle.

How do you define your needs and standards?

Decide what you need the certificate for — a client requirement, a tender, an internal goal — and which standards cover that requirement. Very often certification to more than one standard is needed, i.e. an integrated management system.

Also prepare the basic scope data: the activities, site addresses, number of employees and shift pattern. The number of audit days depends on these — and so does the price.

How do you collect and compare quotes?

Send the same enquiry to several bodies — only then will the quotes be comparable. When you receive them, do not compare the total price alone.

The certificate is valid for 3 years, with surveillance audits and recertification — so compare the costs for the whole cycle. For how the price is calculated, see the article How much does ISO certification cost.

How do you check the accreditation?

Check who accredited the certification body and whether the scope of accreditation includes exactly the standard you want to be certified to. The accreditation body must be a signatory to the EA and IAF mutual recognition arrangements — only then is the certificate recognized internationally.

• !No accreditation details

  The body does not state an accreditation body or an accreditation number.

• !The scope does not match

  The accreditation does not include the standard you want to be certified to.

• !Consultancy and certification together

  The certification body offers to act as your consultant itself — this is contrary to the impartiality required by ISO/IEC 17021-1.

Euro Standard Certification is the exclusive representative of CERTIND S.A. in Bulgaria. CERTIND is accredited by RENAR, a signatory of the EA MLA and a member of IAF. You will find details on the Accreditation page.

What should you clarify before signing the contract?

Before you sign, clarify everything that will affect you over the next three years:

• the schedule of Stage 1 and Stage 2 and when you will receive the certificate;
• the scope that will be stated on the certificate;
• the terms for surveillance audits and recertification;
• the rules for using the certification logo — see How the certification logo may be used;
• the terms if you decide to transfer your certificate — for a transfer to ESCERT, the transfer procedure is free of charge and you pay the agreed audit fee.

Put the scope, sites, audit days and prices for the whole cycle in the contract. That way you avoid changes to the terms later on.