In today's competitive business landscape, organizations need to demonstrate their commitment to quality, efficiency, and safety to gain a competitive edge. One of the most recognized and trusted methods to showcase adherence to international standards is obtaining ISO certification. In this blog, we will learn about ISO certification, explore accreditation and certification bodies, and take a closer look at the ISO certification process in India. Topic Covered are :
What is ISO Certification
Accreditation Bodies
Certification Bodies
Process to get ISO Certification
Conclusion
What is ISO Certification?
ISO, short for the International Organization for Standardization, is an independent, non-governmental organization that develops and publishes international standards covering various industries and domains. ISO certification is a formal recognition that an organization complies with the specific requirements outlined in a particular ISO standard.
Obtaining ISO certification indicates that a company or entity has met stringent quality management system criteria, demonstrating its ability to consistently deliver products or services that meet customer expectations while complying with applicable regulations and enhancing overall efficiency.
Accreditation and Certification Bodies : To ensure the credibility and uniformity of ISO certifications, accreditation and certification bodies play a vital role:
Accreditation Bodies: These are independent organizations responsible for assessing and recognizing the competence of certification bodies. Accreditation bodies evaluate certification bodies based on their technical expertise, resources, processes, and impartiality. When a certification body is accredited, it demonstrates its capability to conduct audits and assessments in line with ISO standards.
Accreditation bodies play a crucial role in ensuring the competence and credibility of certification bodies, as well as the validity of the certifications they issue. These bodies evaluate and recognize the technical competence, impartiality, and integrity of certification bodies, ensuring that they meet internationally recognized standards and guidelines for certification processes.
Below are some well-known accreditation bodies that operate on a global scale:
1. International Accreditation Forum (IAF): IAF is a global association of accreditation bodies that assess and recognize certification bodies for management systems, products, services, and personnel. It ensures that accredited certifications are recognized and accepted worldwide. IAF operates in conjunction with ISO and other international organizations.
2. International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC): ILAC is the global organization for the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories. It promotes mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) between accreditation bodies to establish a worldwide network of accredited laboratories, ensuring that test and calibration results are valid and reliable across borders.
3. International Accreditation Service (IAS): IAS is a prominent accreditation body in the United States that assesses and accredits organizations providing conformity assessment services, such as testing laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies. IAS accreditation demonstrates compliance with international standards and best practices.
4. United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS): UKAS is the national accreditation body for the United Kingdom, recognized by the UK government to assess and accredit certification bodies, laboratories, inspection bodies, and other organizations. UKAS accreditation ensures that services provided by accredited bodies are reliable and meet the required standards.
5. Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS): DAkkS is the national accreditation body for Germany, responsible for accrediting conformity assessment bodies. It operates in accordance with international standards and cooperates with other accreditation bodies through mutual recognition agreements.
6. Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ): JAS-ANZ is the accreditation body for Australia and New Zealand. It assesses and accredits certification bodies, inspection bodies, and testing laboratories, ensuring their compliance with international standards and regulations.
7. National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB): NABCB is the accreditation body for India, established by the Quality Council of India (QCI). It assesses and accredits certification bodies for various management system standards and product certifications.
8. China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS): CNAS is the national accreditation body for China. It provides accreditation to conformity assessment bodies, including testing and calibration laboratories, certification bodies, and inspection bodies.
9. Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM): While not an accreditation body, JCGM develops and maintains the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM), which defines key metrological concepts and terms. It helps ensure consistency and accuracy in measurement-related activities worldwide.
Certification Bodies: These organizations conduct audits and assessments of companies seeking ISO certification. They evaluate the organization's processes, practices, and documentation to determine compliance with the relevant ISO standard. Certification bodies must be impartial and objective to maintain the integrity of the certification process.
Below are some well-known certification bodies that operate on a global scale and offer various types of certifications:
1. Bureau Veritas India: Bureau Veritas is a globally recognized certification body providing a wide range of certification services, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System), and more.
2. TÜV SÜD South Asia: TÜV SÜD is a leading provider of testing, inspection, auditing, and certification services in India. They offer certifications for various ISO standards, such as ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System), ISO 50001 (Energy Management System), and ISO 13485 (Medical Devices).
3. Det Norske Veritas (DNV) India: DNV provides certification, assessment, and risk management services to various industries, including maritime, oil and gas, energy, and healthcare. They offer ISO certifications for quality, environmental, energy, and safety management systems.
4. Intertek India: Intertek is a multinational company providing assurance, testing, inspection, and certification services. They offer ISO certifications, as well as certifications for industry-specific standards in sectors like automotive, textiles, and food safety.
5. Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) India: LRQA is a renowned certification body providing services in management system certifications, supply chain assurance, and training. They offer ISO certifications for various standards, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
6. Indian Register Quality Systems (IRQS): IRQS is a certification body that provides management system certifications and training services. They offer ISO certifications for quality, environmental, health and safety, and information security management systems.
7. SGS India: SGS is a leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company. They offer a wide range of certification services, including ISO 9001, ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management System), ISO 27001, and more.
8. TUV India: TUV India is a part of TÜV NORD GROUP and offers various certification and inspection services. They provide ISO certifications for quality, environment, safety, and other management systems.
9. UL India: UL is a global safety science company that offers certification services for various industries, including ISO certifications for quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems.
10. Quality Austria Central Asia Pvt. Ltd. (QAC): QAC is an international certification body providing management system certifications for ISO standards and other schemes.
Process to get Certification :
1. Identify the Relevant ISO Standard: The first step is for the organization to determine which ISO standard is most applicable to its industry and business objectives. Popular standards include ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System).
2. Engage a Certification Body: Once the standard is chosen, the organization must select a reputable certification body. It is crucial to ensure that the chosen body is accredited by a recognized accreditation body to guarantee the certification's legitimacy.
3. Gap Analysis and Preparation: Before the formal audit, the organization performs a gap analysis to identify areas where its current processes and practices deviate from the ISO standard. Necessary improvements and changes are implemented during this stage.
4. Pre-assessment (Optional): Some certification bodies offer a pre-assessment or readiness review, which is not mandatory but helps organizations assess their readiness for the formal audit. It allows companies to make further improvements based on the pre-assessment findings.
5. Stage 1 Audit: The certification process usually consists of two stages. In the first stage, the certification body reviews the organization's documentation, processes, and preparedness for ISO compliance. The auditor evaluates the organization's understanding of the standard's requirements.
6. Stage 2 Audit: The second stage involves an on-site assessment of the organization's operations to ensure effective implementation of the ISO standard. The auditor verifies the practical application of the documented processes and interviews employees to ensure compliance.
7. Certification Decision: After successful completion of the audits, the certification body determines whether the organization meets the ISO standard requirements. If all criteria are met, the organization is granted ISO certification.
8. Surveillance Audits: ISO certification is not a one-time event. To maintain certification, the organization must undergo periodic surveillance audits conducted by the certification body to ensure ongoing compliance.
Conclusion
ISO certification is a powerful tool that enhances an organization's credibility, improves processes, and increases customer trust. By obtaining ISO certification through a recognized certification body in India, companies can demonstrate their commitment to delivering quality products and services while adhering to internationally recognized standards. It is essential to remember that ISO certification is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement and adherence to the prescribed standards to remain effective and relevant in today's ever-changing business landscape.