Pricing for ISO certification — what it depends on and how to get an exact quote
The price of ISO certification is determined by the audit days, which depend on the number of employees, the sites, the complexity of the activity and the standards. That is why we do not publish a price list, but prepare a tailored quote — within two hours during business hours.
- €1,500 – €5,000indicative total, incl. an independent consultant
- 2 hto receive a quote during business hours
- €0for the transfer procedure
Enquiry configurator
Select what you need — you will see what the quote will contain, and the enquiry will fill itself in.
How the price is determined
The audit duration is determined under the IAF mandatory document IAF MD 5. Four factors determine the audit days, and the audit days determine the price in the quote.
- Employeesthe main factor
- Siteslocations and sampling
- Complexityprocesses and sector
- Standardsnumber and type
Benchmark
Between €1,500 and €5,000 — where do you fit?
That is the usual total cost of obtaining an ISO certificate — consultancy and certification. Where you fall in the range depends on your organization.
- fewer employees
- one site
- one standard
- system already implemented, no consultant needed
- more employees
- several sites
- several standards
- shift work and complex processes
What to budget for
The certificate is valid for three years. Audit days by year, relative to the initial audit:
- Year 1CertificationStage 1 + Stage 2, decision and certificate
- Year 2Surveillance auditabout 1/3 of the initial audit
- Year 3Surveillance auditabout 1/3 of the initial audit
- Year 4Recertificationabout 2/3 — a new cycle begins
How to plan sensibly
Four decisions that affect the cost without reducing the value of the certificate.
- Get certified in one go
With an integrated system — e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 — the combined audit is usually shorter than three separate ones.
Integrated systems - Transfer your certificate
If you already hold an accredited certificate, the transfer procedure is free of charge and the cycle continues.
Certificate transfer - Provide accurate details
The number of employees, the sites and the scope determine the audit days. Accurate details in the enquiry mean an accurate quote.
Request a quote - Prepare for the audit
An internal audit and a management review before certification make the audit run more smoothly.
How the audit works
Questions and answers
Questions about pricing
Short answers about the cost of certification and of maintaining the certificate.
Why is there no published price list?
Because the price of certification depends on the audit days, and these are determined under the mandatory document IAF MD 5 according to the number of employees, the sites, the complexity of the activity and the standards. Two organizations with the same standard may have different audit durations.
How much does an ISO certificate cost for a small company?
For a small organization with one site and one standard, the audit is the shortest and the total cost is closer to the lower end of the indicative range. The exact price is in the tailored quote, which you receive within two hours.
How much does it cost to maintain the certificate?
In the second and third years, a surveillance audit is conducted — about one third of the audit days of the initial audit. Recertification after three years takes about two thirds of them.
Is there a fee for a certificate transfer?
No. The transfer procedure is free of charge. You pay the agreed fee for conducting the audit. More about transfer.
Is consultancy included in the price?
No. The consultant who implements the system is a separate cost. A certification body cannot provide consultancy to the organizations it certifies — an impartiality requirement under ISO/IEC 17021-1.
How quickly will I get a price?
Within two hours during business hours after your enquiry. The quote contains the scope, the audit timeline and an all-inclusive price.
Free preliminary assessment and quote
The exact price — within two hours
Describe your activity, number of employees and sites. The quote is free and without obligation.