What is ISO?
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the independent international organization that develops and publishes international standards.
ISO’s members are the national standards bodies — for Bulgaria, this is the Bulgarian Institute for Standardization (BIS). Management system standards cover a range of areas:
- QualityISO 9001 — quality management.
- EnvironmentISO 14001 — environmental management.
- Health and safetyISO 45001 — occupational health and safety.
- Information securityISO/IEC 27001 — the security of information.
- Food safetyISO 22000 and FSSC 22000.
- And othersEnergy efficiency, business continuity, anti-bribery, etc.
What is the difference between a standard and a certificate?
A standard describes what an organization must do. A certificate is a document attesting that an independent audit has found that the organization actually does it.
Standard
- A document of requirements published by ISO
- Purchased and applied by the organization
- On its own, it proves nothing to customers
Certificate
- Issued by a certification body after an audit
- Confirms conformity with the standard for a defined scope
- Valid for three years, subject to successful surveillance audits
ISO does not carry out certification and does not issue certificates. Certificates are issued by certification bodies.
What is accredited certification?
Accreditation is an independent assessment of the certification body itself — of whether it is competent and impartial. The requirements for bodies that certify management systems are set out in the standard ISO/IEC 17021-1.
Accreditation bodies that are signatories to the EA and IAF mutual recognition arrangements (EA MLA and IAF) recognize each other’s results. This is why an accredited certificate is accepted outside the country in which it was issued.
Euro Standard Certification Ltd. is the exclusive representative of CERTIND S.A. for Bulgaria. CERTIND is accredited by RENAR, which is a member of EA MLA and IAF — details on the Accreditation page.
What does an ISO certificate show in practice?
ISO certification shows that:
- you have clearly structured processes;
- you control the quality of your products and services;
- you manage risks and continually improve your operations;
- you follow international good practice.
Why does ISO certification matter for your business?
| Benefit | What it means |
|---|---|
| Builds trust | Customers and partners find it easier to choose certified companies, because the certificate is proof of reliability. |
| Opens up new opportunities | Many public tenders and international partnerships require ISO certification. |
| Improves efficiency | Clearly defined processes reduce errors, costs and wasted time. |
| Gives you a competitive advantage | You stand out from the competition, especially in more saturated markets. |
| Improves management | Helps you make better-informed decisions and keep control of how your business develops. |
ISO certification is not just a “document” but a tool for better organization, growth and trust in your company.
To judge whether certification is worth it for your company, see the article Why choose ISO certification.
How does certification work, in brief?
- 1Implementing the system
The organization builds its management system — on its own or with an independent consultant.
- 2Two-stage audit
Stage 1 checks the documents and readiness; Stage 2 checks the implementation on site.
- 3Certificate
If the outcome is positive, a certificate is issued for three years.
- 4Maintenance
Surveillance audits in the second and third years, and recertification before expiry.
All the steps are described in detail on the Certification process page.
Questions about ISO certification
Does ISO issue the certificates?
No. ISO develops and publishes the standards; certificates are issued by independent certification bodies after an audit.
What does “accredited certificate” mean?
It means that the certification body has been assessed by an accreditation body for competence and impartiality against ISO/IEC 17021-1. This makes the certificate more widely recognized.
How long is an ISO certificate valid?
Three years. During this period surveillance audits are carried out, followed by a recertification audit before expiry.
How much does ISO certification cost?
The price depends on the standard, the number of employees, the sites and the activity. More in the article How much does ISO certification cost?