What is management system certification?
Management system certification is an independent assessment of an organisation’s processes against the requirements of a defined standard. A management system sets out how the organisation plans, controls and improves work in a particular area, such as quality, environmental performance or information security.
A management system certification body reviews documented arrangements and checks how they operate in practice. For an ISO certification, auditors assess conformity with the relevant ISO standard. The organisation remains responsible for its system and for meeting applicable legal and other requirements.
AuditCert International provides management system certifications and related services. Available services include ISO 9001 for quality; ISO 14001 for environmental management; ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety; ISO 50001 for energy; ISO 27001 for information security; ISO 22000 for food safety; ISO 20000 for IT service management; and ISO 13485 for medical device quality management. HACCP and greenhouse gas services covering ISO 14064-1, ISO 14064-2 and ISO 14064-3 are also listed.
The exact scope matters. It identifies the sites, activities, products or services included in the assessment. A certificate applies to that defined scope, not automatically to every activity of an organisation.
Our services
- ISO 9001Quality management system certification. Shows customers that you control quality and improve it over time.
- ISO 14001Environmental management system certification. Helps you control environmental impact and meet legal requirements.
- ISO 45001Occupational health and safety management system certification. Reduces workplace risk and incidents.
- ISO 50001Energy management system certification. Cuts energy use and cost with a structured approach.
- ISO 27001Information security management system certification. Protects data and shows clients you manage security risk.
- ISO 22000Food safety management system certification across the food chain.
- ISO 20000IT service management system certification for service providers.
- HACCPHazard analysis and critical control points for food safety.
- ISO 14064-1, ISO 14064-2, ISO 14064-3Greenhouse gas quantification, reporting, project-level accounting and verification.
- ISO 13485Quality management system certification for medical device organizations.
Who needs management system certification?
Certification may suit organisations that want independent evidence that their management arrangements meet a recognised standard. In Bangladesh, this can include manufacturers, service providers, food businesses, healthcare and medical device organisations, energy users, and businesses that manage personal or commercially sensitive information.
Buyers may ask suppliers to hold a particular certification as part of tendering, supplier approval or contract requirements. Regulators and laws may impose obligations relevant to an organisation’s operations, but certification should not be treated as a substitute for legal compliance. Whether it is required depends on the sector, contract and applicable rules.
The relevant standard depends on the organisation’s activities and objectives. For example, a food business may consider ISO 22000 or HACCP, while an organisation seeking to manage occupational health and safety risks may consider ISO 45001. AuditCert can help prospective clients identify a suitable certification service; the organisation must determine its needs and applicable obligations.
Benefits of certification
Certification provides independent evidence of conformity within the audited scope. Its practical value depends on how the organisation uses its management system.
- Clarifies responsibilities, controls and processes relevant to the chosen standard.
- Helps identify nonconformities and opportunities to improve the system.
- Provides customers and business partners with evidence that an independent assessment has taken place.
- Supports more consistent handling of quality, environmental, workplace safety, information security or food safety risks.
- Helps an organisation organise records and demonstrate how it monitors and reviews its processes.
- Can help meet buyer requirements where a specific certification is requested, subject to the buyer’s rules and the certificate’s scope.
The certification process with AuditCert International
Certification involves an application, an assessment and a decision based on audit evidence. The organisation supplies information about its activities and scope; auditors assess the management system against the selected standard.
Application and scope
The organisation tells AuditCert about its activities, locations and the standard it is seeking. The scope and other information are reviewed to determine the assessment arrangements.
Audit planning
Audit arrangements are agreed, including the locations and activities to be assessed. The organisation identifies relevant people and makes the system information available.
Audit
Auditors review documents and records, interview relevant personnel and observe processes where appropriate. They assess whether the system is implemented and conforms to the standard’s requirements.
Findings and response
Any nonconformities identified are recorded and communicated. The organisation is responsible for addressing them and providing evidence as required by the certification process.
Certification decision
Audit findings are reviewed before a certification decision is made. The decision depends on the evidence and applicable requirements.
Certificate and surveillance
If certification is granted, the certificate states the applicable scope. Surveillance activities follow to assess continuing conformity, according to the certification arrangements.
What you need to prepare
Prepare information that shows how the system is designed, implemented and monitored. The exact documents and records depend on the standard, scope and organisation.
- A clear description of the organisation, its activities, sites and intended certification scope.
- The management system’s policies, objectives, procedures and process information relevant to the standard.
- Records showing that planned controls are in use, such as monitoring, operational checks, training or competence records, where relevant.
- Evidence of internal audits and management reviews, where required by the standard.
- Records of issues, corrective actions and follow-up, where applicable.
- Access to personnel responsible for the system and people who carry out the activities being assessed.
Auditors check evidence, not simply the presence of documents. Staff should understand the controls relevant to their work and be able to explain how they follow them.
How long does certification take, and what affects time and cost?
The time and cost depend on the organisation and the certification scope; no single estimate is appropriate for every application. AuditCert needs information about the activities and locations before it can discuss the assessment arrangements.
Factors can include the standard selected, the size and complexity of operations, the number of sites, the scope of activities and the readiness of the management system. The time needed to address audit findings or improve implementation can also affect the overall process. Audit fees and associated costs depend on the assessment required; contact AuditCert for a quote.
Certification audits are distinct from other services. For example, environmental testing cost relates to testing work and its requirements, rather than being a general price for management system certification.
Why choose AuditCert International?
AuditCert International is an accredited certification body offering management system certification, audits and training in Bangladesh and worldwide. Its listed services include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 27001, ISO 22000, ISO 20000 and ISO 13485 certification, as well as HACCP and greenhouse gas services under ISO 14064-1, ISO 14064-2 and ISO 14064-3.
Certification depends on independent assessment and an evidence-based decision. AuditCert cannot promise certification or a particular audit outcome. A certification body must remain impartial and must not provide consultancy for a management system it certifies.
To discuss a service, contact AuditCert International and describe your organisation and the standard you are considering. You can also request a quote or call +8801718008488.
