The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international non-governmental organization with a membership of 161 national standards bodies. It is a standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations.
The IAF is the world association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation Bodies and other bodies interested in conformity assessment in the fields of management systems, products, services, personnel, and other similar programs of conformity assessment.
Organization that is Member with IAF and MLA signatory and issues credentials or certifies conformity assessment bodies (i.e. Certification Bodies / Laboratories) is called an Accreditation Body e.g. UKAS, EIAC, Jas-Anz, PNAC, ANAB etc.
An accredited registrar, also called an accredited certification body (CB), is an organization accredited by a recognized accrediting body (EIAC) for its competence to audit and issue certification confirming that an organization meets the requirements of a standard (e.g. ISO 9001 or ISO 14001). Please note that in UAE, by law, only EIAC accreditation is acceptable.
Selecting the right organization to carry out your certification can be fraught with unknowns. Choosing a certification body that has a local office in your city and has been accredited by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) proves that it complies with best practice. It is competent to deliver a consistently reliable and impartial service that meets the appropriate, internationally recognized standard.
ISO Certification is a seal of approval from a 3rd party body that a company runs to one of the internationally recognized ISO management systems. The certification can be used to tender for business as proof of a company's credibility, and also to instill confidence in potential clients that you will keep your promises.
There are over 16,500 different management standards, so finding the ones that are right for your business can sometimes be confusing. The best place to start is ISO 9001 quality management, as this is the core standard that most other well-known standards are based on. It is focused on customer service and ensuring your customer receives the service they want, at a time that is relevant, for a cost that is fair.
ISO certification costs vary depending on the size of an organization and the level to which the company is already run with regards to processes and procedures. If you decide to implement more than one standard at the same time, preferential fees are available. We are a fixed-fee organization, which means once we have met you to discuss your requirements and sent you a formal quotation, that fee is set. We will not charge any extra beyond what is specified.
It depends on the scope and size of the organization:
- How well the management system is implemented.
- Management commitment and leadership.
- What your organization currently has in place and how quickly you want to become certified.
- Internal staff – their knowledge, skills, availability, and time commitment.
To get ISO certification there are a few basic steps to be followed: choosing the ISO standard, gap analysis, documentation, implementation, internal & external audit, issuing certification, certificate renewals, etc. To know more, schedule a free consultation here:
ISO certification adds credibility to your organization. For some industries (manufacturing, engineering, health), certification is a legal or contractual requirement. Also, certain companies only work with ISO certified suppliers. It is advisable to have an ISO certification as it helps with global recognition, enhances product/service quality, and builds customer confidence.
For food safety the best-fit standard is ISO 22000:2018. It defines the requirements of a food safety management system covering all organizations in the food chain. Benefits include improved control over food safety and enhanced customer confidence.
There is no limitation regarding the number of staff for a company to get ISO certified.
An Integrated Management System (IMS) combines all related components of a business into one system for easier management and operations. Quality, environmental, and safety management systems are often combined and managed as an IMS.
Having a robust Quality Management System is a pre-requisite for ISO certification. It will help in meeting the quality requirements of the ISO standard as well as improve business processes to increase productivity and growth.
Manufacturing and construction companies can opt for ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO 14001:2015 certifications. Getting these ISO certifications will help companies develop an Integrated Management System (IMS) for better management and operations.
The IMS unifies quality, safety, and environmental aspects of an organization's daily operations, raising company reputation and adding business value.
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) certification is relevant for traders. Any trading organization (large or small scale) that wishes to provide quality products to its customers can get ISO 9001:2015 certified and earn global recognition.