How To Get ISO 9001 Certification: Everything You Need To Know

Who needs ISO 9001 certification?

ISO 9001 certification is helpful for organisations of all sizes and industries that want to improve their Quality Management Systems (QMS).

It is particularly valuable for organisations aiming to:

• Increase sales and profit margins
• Increase customer satisfaction
• Streamline operations
• Gain a competitive advantage

Companies often seek this certification to:

• Demonstrate their dedication to quality
• Meet customer and regulatory requirements
• Qualify for contracts which require ISO certification

Learn more about the benefits of ISO 9001 certification.

How to get ISO 9001 accreditation

Confusion between certification and accreditation is common, but we supply your organisation with ISO 9001 certification.

As a certification body, we maintain independent accreditation to demonstrate our competence and capability to undertake assessment of your conformity to specific standards.

The sole accreditation body in the UK is the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). Not all certification bodies try to achieve UKAS accreditation because it isn’t easy. We make the effort because we know the importance of UKAS accreditation.

Just as your certification will prove your competence to clients, our accreditation means you can trust us to confidently issue your certification and thoroughly conduct your audits.

How to get ISO 9001 certification

To achieve ISO 9001 certification, you must document evidence that your QMS is in place and meets the certification standards. We can supply tools to help you do this.

The certification process begins with a visit from one of our expert auditors, referred to as the Stage 1 assessment. They’ll examine your policies and procedures and identify any gaps in your QMS you need to address to successfully move onto your Stage 2 assessment.

The auditor will provide you with a full report of their findings, together with a gap analysis. This will allow you to identify the elements you need to deliver to plug the gaps and achieve certification. You can use this report, along with the tools and information we can provide, to make the necessary changes.

Our auditor will then return for your Stage 2 assessment to make sure that everything is in place and that any nonconformities or gaps have been addressed.

If successful, your ISO 9001 certification will be issued shortly after an independent review from our compliance department.

What organisations need to do in the certification process

1. Get ready for certification

Understanding what ISO 9001 requires is a key step in how to get ISO 9001 certification. Get familiar with the standard’s structure and main ideas with the official ISO 9001 standard documentation from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Your organisation’s top management must be committed to certification – their support is a requirement. Depending on the size and complexity of your organisation, you may need to form an implementation team – typically from different departments – to lead the process. Smaller businesses may nominate one or two employees to tackle implementation. You must create a detailed plan outlining your quality goals, the steps to achieve them, and the resources and timeline needed.

2. Gather documentation

Proper documentation is an essential part of your QMS. It helps standardise operations and provides a reference for maintaining quality. Along with the Quality Policy, you will need to identify your QMS’s scope, your quality objectives, team roles and responsibilities, procedures and risk assessments.

3. Put your QMS into action

As you roll out your documented QMS across your organisation, communicate any changes clearly and ensure employees understand and follow the new processes. You must provide the necessary resources and address any challenges employees face. Success means integrating quality management practices into everyday operations.

4. Complete an internal audit

Conduct regular internal audits to evaluate the effectiveness of your QMS. You may want to develop an audit schedule and checklist to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Before your final certification audit, you could use a qualified in-house auditor or an external consultant to conduct a preliminary assessment, often called a “gap analysis.”

This initial review helps identify areas where your QMS may not fully meet ISO 9001 standards. Use this feedback to make necessary adjustments and improvements. This step is crucial for understanding what needs to be refined before your formal audit.

5. Complete the certification process

After addressing any gaps, schedule the official audit with your chosen certification body. During this stage, the auditors will thoroughly evaluate your QMS to verify that it complies with ISO 9001 standards.

Prepare for your audit by reviewing the relevant documentation and making sure all processes run smoothly. Successfully passing this audit demonstrates your dedication to quality management and enhances your organisation’s reputation with customers and stakeholders.

How do I apply for ISO 9001 certification?

It’s easy to apply for ISO 9001 certification – contact us for a free no-obligation quote.

We’ll provide you with all the information you need about the next steps so that achieving ISO 9001 certification is as easy as possible for you and your organisation.

How long does it take to get ISO 9001 certification?

The time it takes to achieve ISO 9001 depends on several factors, including:

• The size of your organisation
• How much you already have in place
• The resources you have available to work on your management system

The certification process typically takes 3-6 months, although some clients complete the process in less than two weeks, and some take much longer. Each business is unique.

If you have a designated representative who takes responsibility for your certification within your organisation, this can help the certification process. In addition, it will take less time to achieve your certification if you’ve prepared in advance.

How hard is it to implement ISO 9001 certification?

The amount of work involved in implementing an ISO 9001-compliant Quality Management System depends on the size and complexity of your organisation and the current state of your QMS.

Our auditors will provide you with a clear representation of processes and documents which you may or may not already have in place, assuring you that the certification process isn’t as complex as you might think.

Your ISO 9001 assessment will be conducted in two stages, but the more you prepare ahead of time, the quicker and easier the certification process will be.

Read the requirements of ISO 9001 and put in place as much of the required documentation as possible.

We also recommend looking at our free ISO 9001 online training course to familiarise you with the ISO 9001 standard before the certification process starts.

Don’t worry if you’re not able to do much preparation. Our auditor will identify any gaps in your existing policies and procedures in their report. They can guide you in addressing any issues with the tools and information they provide.

Do I need an ISO 9001 consultant?

It isn’t necessary to hire a consultant. Our expert auditors will help you to identify any areas in your QMS that might need improvement before your final assessment. We’ll also support you with documentation, templates and tools to help you set up the processes needed to achieve ISO 9001 certification.

Most of our clients build, improve, and audit their management systems in-house. However, if you have the finances available and you decide you need more support than we are allowed to offer (under UKAS rules, we are not able to offer consultancy services), your organisation may benefit from a consultant’s expertise during the certification process.

We can provide you with a shortlist of ISO consultants we have worked with and who we believe could provide the support you need.

Does ISO 9001 require regular assessment?

Yes, and this commitment to continual improvement is one of the greatest strengths of ISO 9001.

Once you’ve achieved your ISO 9001 certification, you will need to undergo audits by a certification body annually. This is to assess whether your QMS is still meeting the high standards of ISO 9001 and to help you identify any areas that might need improvement.

Your organisation must also undergo a recertification audit every three years to maintain your certification.

Read our Ultimate Guide to ISO 9001 for more information about the standard and achieving certification.

Get started with ISO 9001 certification

Ready to start your organisation’s ISO 9001 journey? Get in touch with British Assessment Bureau.

Why choose British Assessment Bureau?

• UKAS-accredited certification – We are a UKAS-accredited certification body for ISO certifications. UKAS is the only government-endorsed accreditation body for ISO certifications in the UK, ensuring the highest standards of reliability and credibility.
• Comprehensive support – We have the expertise to help guide your organisation towards successful ISO certification. Our expert auditors are with you every step of the way, from your initial audit to your recertification audit three years later.
• Expert guidance – Our auditors will begin by performing a Stage 1 audit to identify any gaps in your current Quality Management System (QMS). These must be addressed before you can move on to the in-depth Stage 2 audit, which you must pass to achieve ISO 9001 certification.
• Transparent pricing and flexible options – We promise transparent pricing and no hidden costs, plus we offer a range of flexible payment plans.
• Proven track record – Take a look at the glowing reviews we’ve received on Feefo, where we’ve been recognised with “Exceptional” service status. These independent reviews highlight the outstanding experience you can expect with us.

Get started today

Get started on your ISO 9001 certification journey – get a quote today or contact our team of experts to discuss your needs.