1. What is ISO?

The International Organization for Standardization is an independent, non-governmental organization, the members of which are the standards organizations of the 165 member countries. It is the world's largest developer of voluntary international standards, and it facilitates world trade by providing common standards among nations. More than twenty thousand standards have been set, covering everything from manufactured products and technology to food safety, agriculture, and healthcare.

2. What is accreditation?

Accreditation is the procedure by which an authoritative body gives formal recognition that a body or person is competent to carry out specific tasks. The accreditation board gives accreditation to the certifying bodies to issue ISO certificates.

3. How long ISO certification is valid?

The certification is valid for three years subject to annual surveillance audits.

 

4. What are all the main documents required for ISO certification?

Quality Manual, Procedure manuals, Work Instructions, Various formats to support your core function, Customer complaint record, customer feedback record, internal audit and management review records.

5. Should we increase the workforce for getting ISO certification? Do you need an exclusive one person for maintaining this certification?

You need not increase the workforce also exclusively one person is not required for maintaining ISO certification. Each member in the organization contributes for obtaining & maintaining the ISO certification.

6. Can we get permanent certification?

All certificates are issued for three years. New certifications are received with revised validity after re-certification audit.

 

7. What will be the cost of certification?

The cost of certification depends on different parameters (size, location, and number of employees in an organization).

8. What is your audit procedure? Will you do surprise check?

Auditing is a fact-finding exercise and not fault-finding exercise. When we have more non-conformance, then it means more opportunity for improvement. Auditing is a planned activity. We cannot do surprise check.

9. How long the certification process takes?

The time depends on the Size, location, scope, etc.. of the Organization that is been certified.

 

10. I want to get certification even though our implementation is very less. What shall I do?

We need to re-visit the partially implemented process and see for possibilities for full implementation.

11. I want to go for ISO certification just for getting the logo to put in our marketing materials. What shall I do?

ISO certificates have plenty of benefits. As you are paying, we recommend you to go through the process and get the benefits.

12. Do you fail any organization for certification?

ISO audits is a fact-finding exercise. All the findings (gaps) are divided are into 3 categories – Major, Minor and Observation. All clients will be given an opportunity, to close the gap. And once the gap is fixed an auditor will close the finding and certification will be issued.

 

13. How can we know that the certificate received by is genuine?

All certificates will have logo, serial number, and accreditation by IAF. Also, the authenticity can be verified at the certifying body website. If your name appears on the website; your certificate is genuine.

14. Is it compulsory for us to go for annual surveillance audit? What will happen, if we do not complete the surveillance audit?

Yes. This is the requirement as per ISO 17021:2011. The surveillance audit shall be completed before the anniversary of certification audit.