What is the certification process?
Illustrated right, this is the process by which an external, independent certification body audits your organisation against the requirements of a particular standard (most often, but not always, an ISO Standard) and decides whether you are conforming to those requirements. If you are, you gain certification and then need to be audited again at regular intervals to keep the certification.
When considering certification it is very important that you choose a certification body that is itself operating to internationally recognised standards. If you don’t you could end up with something of no real value to your organisation and that your customers refuse to accept. To avoid this potential pitfall make sure the certification body you use is accredited by UKAS, if in the UK or if elsewhere, by an equivalent member of IAF, the International Accreditation Forum.
UKAS newsletter on why this is important
