How to get ISO certification?

You must have come across articles that state the benefits of ISO certifications. Some common examples include better brand credibility, more accessible access to international markets, the ability to apply for tenders, etc. However, have you ever wondered what is the actual process to getting ISO certification? In this article, we will provide you with a detailed guide so that you understand what you need to do to acquire an ISO certificate.

What is an ISO standard?

An ISO standard can be described as a time-tested formula that helps improve any organisation’s operational efficiency in a specific domain of management. Different domains include quality management, occupational safety, information safety, environmental preservation, et cetera. These formulas are created by taking inputs from industry leaders and technical experts so that these constantly revised recommendations remain relevant, practical and innovative.

What is an ISO certification?

An ISO certification is obtained after an organisation successfully clears the external/certification audit. It is a declaration that an organisation is adhering to the international best practices that are outlined in an ISO standard. Some common ISO certifications include ISO 9001, which improves quality management; ISO 14001, which improves environmental performance and ISO 45001, which focuses on occupational safety.

ISO certification process

Suppose one has to summarise the entire process in one statement. In that case, we can say that getting an ISO certification implies that an organisation clears the external/certification audit by an accredited certification body. However, the actual or real-life process has multiple steps.

To begin with, understand that International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the parent organisation that creates and publishes these ISO standards, does not grant certification. Instead, the certifications are awarded through accredited certification bodies that can conduct the audits that ISO recommends.

To obtain certification, organisations need to show proof that their management system is adhering to the requirements of the ISO standard, is compliant with all necessary regulations and is continually improving.

To showcase that the management system is adhering to ISO requirements, business owners must implement all the applicable clauses of the chosen standard. This means they need to align the documents, showcase their leadership commitment, provide operational resources, and evaluate the performance of the modified processes. To showcase that the management system complies with all necessary statutory, federal and regulatory obligations, business owners must supplement all the essential documents or licences. Similarly, to showcase that the management system is continually improving, business owners must provide internal audits and management reviews records.

If we look at this process from a step-by-step perspective, business owners must first conduct a gap analysis. This analysis helps to highlight any discrepancies in the current practices. To address these discrepancies, business owners can modify their existing processes or rebuild completely new ones. Either way, whatever implementation steps are being utilised must be recorded as they have to be submitted in front of the auditor. Now that the processes are modified or rebuilt, the existing employees must be supported to interact with these new workflows. For this, the management can provide specific training and clear ambiguity through concise work instructions. Lastly, to check the efficiency of the current management system, the top management and the leaders must internally audit it. The results of the audit must be discussed in a management review. Here, documentation that showcases all the implementation steps, the internal audit, the gap analysis, the training programs and the management reviews must be collected, organised, and presented to the external auditor.

The external auditor from your chosen certification body will come to your organisation and perform the audit in two phases. In stage one, only the documents will be reviewed, and in stage two, the auditor will check if the documents and ISO requirements are actualised in your operations. You are provided with a certification or a list of recommendations based on your compliance.

How can I make the ISO certification process easier?

This is a very commonly asked query. See, there are two common problems that business owners face when they are implementing ISO standards in their businesses:

• They may or may not understand what every clause is trying to say.
• They may face difficulty in arranging the papers as per the instructions in the ISO standard or in a manner that is helpful for the external auditor. A feasible solution is to hire an ISO consultant. ISO consultants have undergone specific and detailed training about every ISO standard, making them experts in implementing clauses and arranging documents.
• Due to their long history with ISO standards, they can revive your management system and help you identify deficiencies that could negatively impact your performance in the future.

Also read “How do I choose an ISO consultant?”

Conclusion

To get your ISO certificate, you must build a management system that aligns with the ISO standard and undergo an external audit to prove your compliance. For this, your documents, processes, and personnel should be in line with the instructions of ISO. Hiring an ISO consultant is an excellent idea to make this process easier.