How to choose the right certification body for your business – 7 things to consider
– Admin
January 18, 2023
A certification body acts as an intermediary for your organization as you undergo a series of audits to attain ISO 27001 certification and/or other ISO certifications. It is an independent third party that takes you through the extensive process of ISO certification. Some organizations choose to self-certify. However, the credibility of their management systems is often questioned. An organization that appoints a reputed certification body to assess whether or not it complies with the ISO standards is able to establish trust in the market. With the increasing awareness about the importance of various ISO certifications the demand for ISO certification bodies is on a rise. And choosing one among the various available options can be quite perplexing. To ease the task for you, we have shared a few tips to choose the right certification body. Read on to find out!
7 Things to Consider while Choosing the Right Certification Body
Here are some of the top factors to consider to drill down to the right ISO certification body. This holds good for those aiming for ISO certification Bangalore as well as elsewhere:
1. The Price Factor
Price is undoubtedly a key consideration while choosing any service. The charges must fall well within your budget. However, although you should consider your budget when it comes to choosing an ISO certification body, this does not mean finalising the one that offers the most cost-effective services. The ones that are new to the industry often provide services at a low cost. However, they lack experience and credibility and might not be able to get you where you want to be. There are many other factors you need to consider in addition to their fee. You will learn about these essential factors in the points that follow.
2. Accreditation is a Must
Before you sign the deal and go ahead with the process, make sure the certification body you have chosen is accredited. A certification body requires a valid license from the local government body to carry out its work. Steer clear from the ones that do not have a license. ISO consultants in Hyderabad as well as other cities can help find an accredited certification body.
3. Goodwill in the Market
Another important thing to consider is the reputation of the certification body in the market. Some certification bodies have a reputation of conducting a stringent assessment before providing an ISO certificate. Many others are infamous for giving away the certificates without conducting a thorough evaluation. It goes without saying that you should opt for certification bodies with a reputation of carrying out thorough assessment. This will add to the credibility of your organization.
4. Integrated Audit
Once you attain one ISO certification, you may want to obtain more to improve other aspects of your organization. For instance, as you start your journey to get through ISO 27001, you may also want to attain ISO 9001 certification in Chennai or elsewhere. This is why it is important to look for a certification body that provides integrated audit. This will help you acquire both these certifications simultaneously. This is a great way to save time, money and effort.
5. Experience and Specialization
The experience of the certification body should also be taken into consideration. Not just the number of years it has been in operation but also its list of clients should be paid attention to. This gives an understanding about its area of specialization which is yet another point to be considered. This is to say that if you are a digital marketing agency and your prospective certification body has experience dealing with only pharmaceutical companies then you may reconsider your choice. It is suggested to opt for a certification body that has experience working with companies specific to your industry.
6. No Language Barrier
It is very important to have a clear communication back and forth to ensure timely and proper completion of the certification process. Thus, there should be no language barrier between your personnel and those from your chosen certification body.
7. Willingness to Help
It is suggested to conduct a few meetings with your potential certification bodies before locking the deal. This will give you a fair idea about their working style. How approachable are they? How flexible are they? And how serious are they about their work? You should be able to figure out all this in a few meetings. A certification body which is willing to help you at every step of the process is the one to keep.
Conclusion
There is a dire need for organizations to reach out to the right certification body. For this, it is important to consider the reputation, experience and specialization of the certification body. There should be no language barrier and the service should not surpass your budget vastly. More importantly, the certification body must be accredited and should offer an integrated audit facility. Do let us know if you require more assistance in this regard.