What is the certification process?
The certification process is a structured assessment by an independent certification body to determine whether an organisation’s management system meets the requirements of a specified standard. It includes agreeing the certification scope, reviewing relevant information, auditing the system and making a certification decision based on the audit evidence.
The standard and service chosen determine what the system needs to address. For example, ISO 9001 concerns quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management, ISO 45001 occupational health and safety, ISO/IEC 27001 information security, and ISO 22000 food safety management. AuditCert International also offers certification and audit services including HACCP, HALAL, C-TPAT and social compliance audits, as well as training.
Certification is not a one-off paperwork exercise. The organisation needs to operate its system in practice, retain evidence of its performance and address issues identified through audits. The certification body assesses the evidence; it does not take over responsibility for managing the organisation’s system.
Who needs certification?
Certification may be relevant to organisations of different sizes and in different sectors, including manufacturers, food businesses, service providers, exporters and other organisations in Bangladesh or elsewhere. The appropriate standard depends on the organisation’s activities, the risks it manages and the requirements of its customers or other interested parties.
A buyer, tendering organisation or supply-chain partner may ask a supplier to hold certification or demonstrate particular controls. Regulators or other authorities may also set requirements that affect an organisation, depending on the sector and applicable rules. Requirements vary, so organisations should confirm what is being requested and whether a particular standard, scope or certificate is specified.
Before applying, consider which sites, activities, products or services need to be included. A clear scope helps ensure the audit addresses the parts of the organisation relevant to the intended certification.
What are the practical benefits?
- Clarifies what your management system covers by defining its scope and the activities to be assessed.
- Provides an independent review of whether the system addresses the chosen standard’s requirements.
- Helps identify gaps or issues that the organisation can consider and address.
- Gives customers and other interested parties evidence of assessed conformity within the stated scope.
- Supports consistent monitoring and review of processes relevant to the standard.
- Provides audit feedback that can inform ongoing compliance and improvement.
Certification does not remove the organisation’s responsibility for its operations or ensure that problems will never occur. Its value depends on a system that is used and maintained, not just documented.
What are the steps in the certification process with AuditCert International?
Make an enquiry
Tell us about your organisation, the standard you are working towards and what you need certified. This gives us a starting point for discussing the next steps.
Define the scope
We work with you to understand your business needs and goals and agree the proposed certification scope. The scope should accurately describe the relevant organisation, activities and locations.
Understand your starting point
An initial gap analysis can show how far your current system is from the standard. It helps identify areas to consider before the certification audit; it is not the certification decision.
Plan the audit
The audit team prepares an audit plan with you. Planning takes account of the agreed scope and the need to keep disruption to your operations low.
Audit the management system
Auditors review the system against the applicable international standard. They assess relevant documented information and records, and examine how the system is implemented in practice. The audit may identify issues that need attention.
Review findings and make a decision
The audit evidence and any findings are considered as part of the certification decision. Certification is granted only when the audit has been successfully completed and the decision supports certification. The organisation may ask questions about findings or raise an appeal about a decision.
Maintain certification
After certification, continue operating and improving the system and take part in surveillance activities. Surveillance helps assess whether the certified system continues to meet applicable requirements. Certificate details can be verified online.
What do you need to prepare?
Preparation depends on the standard, the agreed scope and how your organisation operates. Useful preparation includes:
- Documents: The management system information relevant to the chosen standard, such as policies, procedures, process descriptions and scope information. The required documented information varies by standard and organisation.
- Records: Evidence that relevant processes are operating, such as monitoring results, internal audit records, management review outputs, training records, corrective action records and other records that apply to your system.
- People: Managers and staff who understand the processes in scope and can explain their responsibilities and how work is carried out. Identify relevant process owners and make arrangements for their participation during the audit.
- Access and arrangements: Information about relevant sites, activities and records, and practical arrangements that allow the audit team to review the system while limiting disruption to operations.
Do not prepare documents solely to present an appearance of compliance. Auditors need to assess how the management system is actually used and whether the available evidence supports conformity with the applicable requirements.
How long does certification take, and what affects time and cost?
The time and cost depend on the organisation and the certification requirements, so they cannot be determined from the standard name alone. Relevant factors include the chosen standard, the scope of certification, the number and nature of activities and locations, the complexity of operations, and how developed and implemented the management system is when the process begins.
The audit plan and any issues found during assessment can also affect the work involved. If the system needs further development or findings require action and review, this may affect the route to a certification decision. AuditCert International discusses the organisation’s needs and scope at the initial stage and prepares an audit plan with the organisation. Ask us about your specific requirements to understand the next steps; no duration or price is stated here.
Why choose AuditCert International?
AuditCert International is an accredited certification body offering management system certification, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22000 and more. Its services also include HACCP, HALAL, C-TPAT and social compliance audits, as well as training. The market served is Bangladesh and worldwide.
The process begins by understanding your business needs and goals and agreeing a certification scope. The audit team plans the assessment with you and reviews your management system against the relevant international standard, with attention to keeping disruption to operations low. Following a successfully completed audit and an appropriate certification decision, practical feedback supports maintaining compliance and continued improvement.
Certification decisions are based on the assessment; no outcome should be assumed in advance. Anyone can verify a certificate online. If you need to raise a complaint or appeal a decision, AuditCert International provides routes to do so.
