Who is not familiar with it? ISO certificates are everywhere these days – and for good reason! They provide significant benefits for organizations, as well as for suppliers, clients, customers, and employees. In this blog, we will explain what these benefits are, which ISO certifications are most important to obtain, and what the process entails.
What is an ISO certification?
A company can obtain an ISO certificate when it meets the required ISO standards. These standards are developed by international experts and define the specific criteria a company must fulfil to be considered ‘reliable’. An ISO certification, therefore, plays a crucial role in positioning your business positively. To ensure that all business processes comply with ISO standards, companies often implement an ISO quality management system. Elements like the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) help ensure that every step in the process meets the required standards. Achieving an ISO certificate demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and process compliance.
What are the benefits of an ISO certification?
An ISO certification optimizes your business operations in several ways. It proves your reliability and that you actually do what you claim to do. Moreover, it ensures that you meet the requirements set by clients or contracting parties. Other key benefits of obtaining an ISO certificate include:
- Cost savings due to more efficient processes.
- Early detection and prevention of potential issues through an ISO quality management system.
- A stronger corporate image, giving you a significant competitive advantage.
- Greater process transparency throughout the organization, leading to increased employee engagement and easy access to audit information.
- Process compliance, resulting in stable quality and improved customer satisfaction.
What are the most common ISO certifications?
There are numerous types of ISO certifications, and their number has only increased in recent years. For manufacturing companies, four ISO certifications are essential, covering quality, environment, occupational health & safety, and information security. Below, we explain these certifications and why they are important for your organization.
ISO 9001 – Quality
Want to convince your clients and customers that you deliver quality? Then obtaining ISO 9001 certification is a must. Recognized across almost every industry, ISO 9001 is the global standard for quality and quality management. Implementing ISO 9001 principles not only enhances customer satisfaction but also drives revenue growth and cost savings through improved efficiency.
ISO 14001 – Environment
ISO 14001 certification focuses on national environmental regulations and is strongly linked to sustainable production. Many clients and contracting parties require businesses to have ISO 14001 certification, especially for tenders and bids. Structurally improving internal environmental policies helps companies save on costs related to energy consumption and waste management.
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
Those familiar with ISO certifications may recognize ISO 45001 as the successor to OHSAS 18001. ISO 45001 represents the latest international standards for occupational health and safety – ensuring a safe and healthy work environment. Having this certification is a valuable asset for both clients and employees. Reducing workplace risks leads to lower absenteeism, resulting in cost savings.
ISO 27001 – Information Security
In a digital world where vast amounts of personal and sensitive data are stored online, securing this information is more crucial than ever. ISO 27001 certification proves that your company meets strict information security standards. It significantly reduces the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks. Additionally, following ISO 27001 standards simplifies compliance with regulations such as the GDPR.
What do you do during an ISO certification?
To successfully obtain an ISO certificate, you start by developing your own ISO quality management system. By integrating this system as a guiding principle in your business processes and conducting regular internal audits, you can quickly make adjustments where needed. This ensures continuous process optimization until you reach the level required for ISO certification.
Do you believe your organization has met this level? Then you can apply for an ISO certificate through an external party that conducts ISO assessments. If this external specialist also determines that your organization meets all the ISO standards linked to the certification you applied for, you will receive your ISO certification. This allows you to clearly demonstrate to your clients and suppliers that your company is ISO certified.
How long does an ISO certification take?
Obtaining an ISO certification does not happen overnight. Depending on the size and complexity of your organization, the process can take anywhere from three to twelve months. The specific ISO standards you aim to meet and the level of preparation you have already done also impact the certification timeline. The preparation phase, which includes setting up and improving processes, documentation, and systems, can take up to six months. The more improvements that still need to be made, the longer it will take before you can apply for the ISO certificate.
What if you do not pass the ISO certification?
If the external specialist identifies deficiencies during the audit, they will be classified as either minor or major non-conformities. Minor issues can typically be resolved within a period of about three months, but major deficiencies often result in the rejection of the ISO certification request. This means your organization does not meet the required ISO standards, potentially affecting its reputation, customer relationships, and partnerships. Of course, you want to avoid this situation. That is why it is essential to revisit your ISO quality management system and use the insights gained from the audit to develop a new action plan. Once you have addressed all issues, you can request a new audit to achieve your ISO certification. If you don not pass the ISO certification on the first attempt, it is not the end of the road. You always have the opportunity to improve and try again.
How long is an ISO certificate valid?
Once you obtain your ISO certificate, it remains valid for three years. During these three years, regular surveillance audits are conducted by the external assessor. These audits can occur annually or even multiple times per year. Their purpose is to verify that your organization continues to meet the required standards and still deserves the certification. After the initial three-year period, a more extensive reassessment takes place. If no major issues are found during this audit, your ISO certificate will be renewed for another three years. However, if significant non-conformities are detected and not resolved in time, the certificate may be revoked. To prevent this, it is important to continuously maintain and improve your ISO quality management system.
What does an ISO certification cost?
There are no fixed costs for ISO certification. The price of an ISO certification can vary significantly depending on the size and complexity of the organization, the specific ISO certification being pursued, and the level of preparation required. As a result, ISO certification costs can range from €5,000 to €25,000 on average. Approximately €3,000 to €10,000 of this amount is allocated to the audit itself, including interim surveillance audits. Additionally, there are preparation costs to consider. The more support, external consultants, and system changes needed, the higher the costs will be. These expenses can range from €2,000 to €15,000. Furthermore, additional investments may be required for new software or extra employee time, so be sure to factor these into the overall budget.
How EZ-GO can help with ISO certification
The EZ-GO platform is the standard for managing your standards. Its checklists and forms provide a foundation for standardization, documentation, and risk assessment. Additionally, EZ-GO’s task management features help efficiently track, complete, and document actions needed to comply with ISO standards. By creating an automated and transparent system for your entire organization, EZ-GO makes audits significantly less stressful and simplifies continuous improvement. This lays a solid foundation for achieving ISO certification and maintaining compliance over time.