What is ISO certification?

ISO certification is a strategic tool that contributes significantly to enhancing the overall performance of companies, and raising the level of compliance with international standards.

It is therefore a distinctive feature of quality management systems, and ISO certification is considered a recognition that shows that the company follows specific standards.

It ensures that the organization has established effective management systems and processes to deliver high-quality products or services consistently.

For more about ISO certifications, click here

An overview of ISO certification

In today’s interconnected world economy, standards have become the basis for ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency.

 International Organization for Standardization certification is one such standard that is internationally recognized and applied across various industries and countries.

 By adopting ISO standards, companies can streamline operations, increase efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction.

If the evaluation proves that the company meets the requirements of the standard, it receives a confirmation certificate and subsequently the certificate itself.

 These internationally acclaimed standards set guidelines for quality management systems, ensuring consistency and reliability in products or services.

 Although this certification is of global importance, obtaining it in fast-growing economies such as Middle Eastern countries provides companies with a significant advantage.

International Organization for Standardization

The International Standards Organization was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1947 to standardize and assist in the integration of manufacturing.

ISO develops and implements international standards in various fields including:

 Quality management (9001).

 Environmental management (14001)

Health and safety (45001).

It is a global organization that develops standards.

The documents issued by ISO are of great importance in quality management.

Several ISO standards can be adopted and are recognized globally.

These bodies must be able to demonstrate their independence by being accredited by an independent external accreditation body.

It is a standard that makes the management approach of companies serving various sectors more efficient.

What do you need to know before obtaining ISO certification?

Before obtaining ISO certification, there are several factors to consider.

Among these factors

Timeline for obtaining ISO certification:

The period used to achieve certification depends on the size of the organization, available resources, and the applicable standard.

Generally, small organizations may need about six months to complete the accreditation process, while large organizations may take more than a year.

There is also increased complexity when implementing more complex standards.

 You should also consider preparing a letter of engagement that you can use as part of your tender documents to explain that your organization will soon receive accreditation.

You must specify the certificate you wish to obtain:

If you are planning to obtain ISO certification for your company, there are various documents and certificates issued by ISO.

Although there is no actual need for ISO certification to conduct trade or business.

 But many companies aim to obtain certification to achieve greater success and better acceptance in the market.

Since there are thousands of different standards available globally, choosing the right one can be a challenge.

 Do you need help choosing the right standard?

You can talk to an expert to determine the best management system for your company.

If in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Choose the appropriate certification standard:

Determining the appropriate international standard for your organization can be difficult.

Since more than 24,000 international standards are available.

 On the other hand, some ISO standards stand out as particularly important and influential.

The ISO certification project aims to help you manage a specific set of business risks and achieve objectives.

 More than 80 management systems standards are available, each supporting a unique purpose.

 Your first task is to find the appropriate international standard for your organization.

Among the most famous certification standards, we find:

The duties and benefits of each certification above are generally similar for companies.

 But they differ somewhat depending on the sectors in which companies operate.

You should decide on the most appropriate ISO certification by considering the sector your business serves.

For example, if you provide services in the food industry, you can apply for 22000 certification.

 If you work in a field that involves a high risk of accidents, you can obtain 45001 certification.

In addition to all of this, you can improve your overall business processes by Obtaining the certification.

Why should I obtain an ISO certification?

ISO certification is often sought by companies because it helps in bidding for new projects.

 Obtaining the certificate will prove that you have high administrative ability.

 Companies that obtain this certification are characterized by key factors such as strong structure, stability, and a clear growth strategy.

 Each ISO requirement provides specific benefits, including customer satisfaction, increased business efficiency, and reduced risk.

 As well as employee satisfaction and commitment to achieving goals.

 If you like the idea of obtaining ISO certification, do not hesitate to contact us today!

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Who can issue an ISO certification?

Accredited certification bodies can issue ISO certifications for a specified period, usually equivalent to three years.

A periodic audit must be performed to maintain the validity of the certificate, which is done once a year.

If significant deviations from standard requirements are detected, the certificate may be withdrawn.

 This situation is rare, exceptional, and undesirable.

 So, when a company decides to implement an ISO standard, it indicates a voluntary commitment to continuous improvement and development.

 The organizations had audits by independent certification bodies, and these were usually conducted on-site.

With the advent of remote auditing options, it has become possible to obtain ISO certification online.

 To obtain ISO certification, you must apply to an accredited certification company.

 As the certification body must be accredited by the ISO and/or the relevant organization in the country in question.

 Currently, there are different accreditation bodies to apply to for certification.

 Applying to a certification body is the final step to obtaining ISO certification.

 And companies must complete their preparations before applying.

Companies must adhere to the specified conditions for obtaining certification after applying ISO management principles in their activities and their management system.

To learn more about obtaining ISO certification, click here

Do you need to obtain an ISO certification?

ISO certification demonstrates that a company aspires to work within a specific framework to achieve its goals.

External certification increases the credibility and trust customers have in a brand, service, or product.

Any organization, large or small, industrial or service, can obtain certification.

For example, some government boards/departments prefer to see accreditation.

If you are about to launch a tender or want to win a contract with a new client or government entity, and you are rejected due to not having an ISO certification, it is time to consider this.

The difference between ISO application and certification

It discusses the differences between applying the ISO standard and obtaining an ISO certification.

Although ISO “implementation” and “certification” are closely related, each represents a distinct process aimed at different goals.

 Implementation refers to the steps a person or organization takes to adopt the specifications of the standard, including evaluating procedures, policies, and controls, and identifying areas for improvement.

 This process can include writing new policies, developing or updating processes, training employees, and creating a documentation system.

Briefly, implementation represents an internal effort designed to improve processes by relevant ISO standards.

In contrast, certification represents an external process in which an independent third party verifies that the management system meets the specifications of the standard.

Simply put, after implementing the standard, you can obtain an ISO certification and be assured that the system is working as required.

Obtain an ISO certification

First, you should discuss your options to determine whether ISO certification would be beneficial for your company and, if positive, what the relevant standards are.

Before obtaining certification, you must carry out the necessary procedures to ensure that the requirements of the relevant ISO standards are met.

 Steps of obtaining ISO certification.

Determine the relevant standard:

The first step is to determine which ISO standard is most applicable to your industry and business objectives.

After selecting the appropriate standard, you can obtain a copy of the standards and prepare corresponding documentation.

Common standards include ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System), and ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System).

 Research and choose the right standard for your company.

Understand the requirements:

Once you have the compliant documentation, you will need to set up the necessary procedures to comply with the requirements of the standard.

Carefully study the requirements of the ISO standard and ensure you understand the processes and documentation required.

Seeking advice to find a suitable company or industry-specific consultant may include carrying out internal audits and gap analysis to improve areas of need.

Develop an implementation plan:

After adopting the ISO standard as a quality and management standard, a comprehensive detailed plan must be developed outlining the necessary steps and time frame for implementing the changes.

This plan should include clearly assigning responsibilities, identifying milestones for progress, and allocating resources efficiently.

It is also advisable to consider seeking expert advice or hiring an external consultant to assist with the implementation process if necessary.

Training and educating employees:

It is important to ensure that all employees are fully aware of ISO standards and clearly understand their roles in achieving compliance and certification.

It is recommended to provide customized training courses and practical workshops.

 As well as comprehensive educational materials to familiarize employees with the relevant requirements and processes.

This action is essential to creating a lasting culture of quality and compliance within the organization.

Implementing the required processes and systems:

Implementing the processes, procedures, and systems necessary to achieve the requirements of the ISO standard requires updating existing processes and the possibility of creating new ones.

 This also includes establishing effective documentation controls.

 Continuously monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of these processes is encouraged to ensure continuous improvement and achievement of set goals.

Conducting internal audits:

After completing the previous steps, you must begin conducting internal audits and reviewing all approved processes and systems to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Careful observation and interviews of employees are recommended to collect sample data for use in ongoing analysis.

Strengths and weaknesses of the management system should also be identified and reported promptly.

Select a certification body.

Choose the appropriate body to issue ISO certification at an effective cost for your organization. You can search and choose the organization that meets your needs.

External audit and certification

When your company is ready, we will arrange a visit to conduct the necessary audit.

Choose the experienced entity to obtain the ISO certification in Egypt and the Middle East.

 Submit all documents for review to ensure compliance with approved standards.

Be prepared for an external audit by a certification body to ensure system requirements are followed and management system implementation is effective.

 If you would like to obtain ISO certification, do not hesitate to contact us today!

What is an ISO certification audit?

ISO certification audit is a process by which a company shows evidence of its compliance with the required quality system.

 An audit is an exercise in uncovering facts rather than an exercise in eliminating errors.

Audit activities are programmed according to established plans, as surprise inspection is not possible according to our procedures.

 Our audits are refined in two stages.

During the first stage, the auditor verifies the company’s readiness by reviewing on-site documents and processes, scrutinizing internal records and management audit records, etc.

A qualified auditor will visit the business premises to evaluate the management system against approved ISO standards.

 And will provide valuable suggestions and loopholes after reviewing the evidence.

The auditor will prepare and provide you with a report and analysis of the management system, as well as recommendations for improvement that will be agreed upon to support improved performance and maximum benefit from the standards.

Types of ISO audits

First party audit

This audit is performed internally and is essentially a conformity assessment to check compliance gaps and prepare your organization for an external ISO certification audit.

Second party audit

This audit is performed by the organization you are dealing with, and therefore, they may audit your company to determine if you comply with ISO requirements.

Or you may ask your company auditor to perform an ISO audit on one of your contractors or suppliers.

Third-party audit

This audit is performed by an auditor certified by the Conformity Assessment Committee (CASCO) of ISO and will assess whether your company is compliant with ISO requirements.

 An ISO certification audit is a third-party audit.

 The certification audit consists of two mandatory visits that constitute the initial certification audit.

 You must be able to demonstrate that your management system has been fully operational for a minimum of three months.

 And that it is subject to a management review and a full cycle of internal audits.

What is accreditation, IAF, and accredited certifications?

Accreditation:

is a process in which an official body gives recognition that a person or body is qualified to carry out certain tasks.

In the context of management systems, the accreditation body evaluates the ability of the certification body to grant the ISO certification for which it seeks accreditation.

 Some conformity assessment bodies may seek to distinguish themselves through an impartial assessment of their competence by an accreditation body based on recognized international standards.

ISO certification body:

It is the organization authorized to review and certify other companies.

 This is where the use of appropriate terminology becomes crucial, as confusion between the concepts of “accreditation” and “certifications” must be avoided.

It is also recommended to choose the ISO certification body with caution, by consulting advice on how to choose the appropriate body.

In addition, the term “accredited by an accrediting body or ISO accredited body”.

May be referred to when the certification provider has obtained accreditation from any accreditation body recognized by the International Recognition Association.

As for the accreditation body, it is recognized by the government and is considered a governing body for certification bodies.

As this is considered a conflict of interest and a violation of the international laws governing ISO.

Accreditation bodies

 There are many trusted accreditation bodies around the world such as JAS-ANZ accreditation which is the joint accreditation system of Australia and New Zealand.

 JAS-ANZ offers accreditation to Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), whereby they are approved to carry out audits of companies and issue internationally recognized ISO certifications.

 In addition, equivalent accreditation bodies exist in other regions of the world, such as UKAS in the United Kingdom and ANAB in the United States.

 You can find accredited CABs by searching the registry of accrediting bodies.

 And it is officially authorized to issue ISO certifications.

 Certified certifications usually show the IAF mark.

How much does an ISO certification cost?

The cost of obtaining ISO certification arouses the interest of many people who search on Google to learn more about this topic.

 The costs of setting up your ISO management system, including development, implementation, and operation, must initially be considered.

 ISO costs also depend on the size and activity of the organization.

 If you wish to obtain certificates for more than one standard, some discounts may be available.

 We offer certificates at reasonable costs, determined according to your needs and a formal offer will be sent.

We do not charge any additional fees other than those previously specified.

 Once the offer is accepted and the deposit is paid, you can notify your clients that they are in the process.

 Please note that the cost and fees for ISO certification may vary by service provider.

 We at QRS are proud of our competitive prices, as we care about our customers’ need for competitiveness.

Feel free to contact us for a quick consultation.

We will evaluate your needs and prepare a quote within 24 hours.

ISO certification requirements

You must meet the following requirements to successfully obtain ISO certification:

  • A valid commercial license
  • Application
  • Audit
  • Review
  • Certificate

ISO certification requirements are easy to follow and comply with.

 You can easily apply for ISO certification in Egypt and the Middle East

 You are only required to have a valid business license for the company in your country.

 It needs to comply with relevant standard requirements; For example.

If you want to apply for ISO 9001 certification, you must implement the standard requirements of a quality management system.

To obtain ISO certification, the following documented information is required.

  •  Review product or service requirements
  •  Design and development input reviews
  •  Reviews of design and development deliverables
  •  Design and development planning and controls
  •  Design records and validation of development deliverables
  •  Design and development of change control records
  •  Training records of competency, skills, experience, and qualifications
  •  Measurement equipment calibration records
  •  Conformity documents related to production/service provision
  •  Product or service release guides
  •  Client property records
  •  Conformity record and quality acceptance standards
  •  Record non-conforming and corrective actions
  •  Monitoring and measurement results, including customer satisfaction measurement results
  •  The internal audit program or schedule and results of the internal audit
  •  Management audit records

 Once you have completed the requirements, you can apply for ISO certification.

Benefits of ISO certification

Day by day, new startups and business ideas are being introduced by entrepreneurs.

 Most companies and startups are making a lot of profits today.

 The company must have a good business model.

Business model is an important aspect that helps grow a business and if the business model is not good, the business may be lost and the organization can shut down.

Hence, startups must build a good business model and good business processes.

ISO certification can help an organization achieve tremendous success.

 To develop and improve your organization you must apply for ISO certification.

Credibility:

As we all know the ISO certification is the best and also the most trusted certificate in the world.

 ISO develops various standards for the organization to increase the productivity of the organization.

 ISO is recognized by people all over the world.

 Hence, by placing the ISO mark logo on your product package, you can increase your brand value and organization’s credibility.

Obtaining ISO certification sends a clear signal to stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and investors, that the organization is committed to internationally recognized standards.

Increase customer satisfaction:

When your organization receives ISO certification, ISO helps your organization build business processes through which you can increase the quality of your product.

 Business processes are integrated to create a system and product quality can be increased.

 As product quality increases, customer satisfaction increases and confidence in the product increases. As a result, product sales can increase.

Enhancing quality and efficiency:

 ISO standards focus on streamlining processes and ensuring quality.

Organizations that adhere to these standards are usually more efficient and provide higher-quality products and services.

You can increase revenue:

Some products have a price value that depends on the brand.

Most brands are expensive because of their brand value.

 Since your products are of good quality, you can also increase the cost of your product.

 If your organization is ISO certified, people trust your organization and can purchase products at a high price.

Access to new markets:

 Many international markets and customers require ISO certification as a prerequisite.

 Therefore, obtaining ISO certification can open doors to global opportunities.

Increase the knowledge of your employees:

ISO 9001 certification requires sophisticated and trained employees and provides them with the various tools they need to do their best work.

 The organization provides them with procedures and instructions so that employees get knowledge of the specific process.

As they receive training from the organization, their careers can improve.

Continuous improvement:

ISO develops standards and updates procedures according to current situations in the world.

Standards and procedures are constantly upgraded because you have the opportunity to improve the consistency of your organization.

ISO standards emphasize the importance of continuous improvement.

Certified organizations tend to be more flexible and able to adapt to changes in the business environment.

How to verify the validity of the ISO certification?

Verify the ISO certification online

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) is the highest-ranking accreditation organization.

 It is a global association of conformity assessment accreditation bodies and other bodies involved in the evaluation of standards.

 The main goal of this organization is to develop a worldwide compliance assessment program so that consumers can rely on accredited certifications.

Your first step should always be to consult the International Accreditation Forum IAF.

 The IAF plays a pivotal role in accrediting the certification bodies that issue ISO certifications.

Ensuring that the IAF recognizes the accrediting body itself is an important aspect of ISO certification verification.

The IAF, in its endeavor to eliminate fraudulent ISO certifications, has created an online.

The IAF Cert Search database is an exclusive global database of accredited management system certifications.

Anyone can view the status of approved ISO certifications and you can create a watch list for these participating suppliers and monitor their approval status.

  • Check certification body’s website.

 The certification body is responsible for issuing ISO certifications.

Professionals can visit the certification body’s website and perform a search by selecting the business name.

If the certificate is invalid through this method, we can conclude that the certificate is fake.

You can also contact the certification body directly and ask them to verify that they have issued this certificate.

These are the simplest and easiest ways to check the validity of an ISO certification.

ISO standards can provide your organization with an ISO certification that is scalable to your needs.

QRS can help your company gain the expertise and assistance it needs to achieve ISO certification

 We provide a wide range of services that focus on improving companies in Middle Eastern countries.

Contact us today

Read also:

about ISO standard and why is it important?

ISO Guide| What is ISO certification

ISO certifications| ISO certification bodies

Issuing ISO certifications|QRS

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