How to Select the Right Certification Body
Certification of your organization is a crucial step towards demonstrating compliance with industry standards and achieving international recognition. However, choosing the right Certification Body (CB) is equally important to ensure a credible and effective certification process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key factors to consider when selecting a CB for your ISO certification needs.
Accreditation of the Certification Body
The accreditation of a Certification Body is a paramount consideration. Not all accreditation bodies are equally recognized, so it’s crucial to choose a Certification Body accredited by an International Accreditation Forum (IAF) tier-1 member for the most credible and internationally accepted results.
Independently Certified Auditors
The accreditation of a Certification Body is sector-specific, as outlined in IAF MD 17:2019. It’s essential to ensure that the CB employs independently certified auditors with relevant competence. This additional layer of assurance ensures the credibility of the certification process.
Seek References from a Third Party
Understanding the perspectives of key stakeholders by obtaining references, particularly from customers of a certified organization provided by your chosen CB, is vital. Solicit references from these stakeholders to gauge the actual quality of service and products provided by the certified organization. A credible Certification Body will prioritize this type of customer feedback to ensure the integrity of the certification process.
Important Questions to Ask Your Certification Body
When evaluating a Certification Body, there are several critical questions to ask to ensure objectivity, impartiality, and compliance:
Auditors’ Impartiality and Objectivity:
Auditors must remain unbiased in their professional judgment, meaning they cannot let personal interests or beliefs influence them.
Internal Quality Management:
What internal system does the certification body use for their own quality management, and does it conform to ISO 17021 Part 1?
Compliance with IAF Mandatory Documents:
Does it employ the guidance of the mandatory documents of the International Accreditation Forum?
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE: Questions and Factors to Determine Accreditation of an ISO Certification Body
Acquiring ISO certification is a significant milestone for any organization – ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance with international standards. However, choosing the right Certification Body (CB) is paramount to ensure the certification’s credibility and global recognition.
Tips for Choosing the Right Certification Body
Tip 1: Seek Input from Customers
We believe that you need to ask the customers of the organisation who hold the certificate. They’ll tell you whether the CB and their issuing of certificates is fair or not. Why? They receive products/services from the certified organisation and will be able to tell you if they receive an outcome that reflects the certified system.
BONUS TIP:
NEVER ask the Certification Body directly how good they are – they will tell you that they’re great! Equally, those certified by that CB will probably also tell you how good they are. They want to elevate the certificate that they’ve got!
Tip 2: Assess Auditor Selection Process
It’s massively important to establish how your Certification Body selects its Auditors!
These days one can place reliance on internal arrangements to qualify your auditors – if you so choose. This means the certification body has internal checks and balances, as a means to ensure their auditors are suitable for the job.
What about External Registration schemes for auditors?
Organisations like SAATCA, Exemplar Global and some others, exist to ensure that Auditor competency can be suitably measured and awarded, according to ISO 17024.
Why is this important?
External registration schemes ensure that the auditors:
- maintain their competence
- maintain their proficiency (they are up to date and familiar with the latest versions of the standard/s)
- are independently evaluated, outside of the certification body
Tip 3: Scrutinize Auditor Competencies
Understand how the CB establishes criteria for auditor competencies. Ensure the process is independent and sector-specific expertise is integrated to enhance the audit’s value.
Did you know that there is Sector Competency for Auditors?
Sector competency is something that brings value to the audit. An example of this done poorly would be to take an auditor who is established as a banker and ask them to audit a mining operation. They probably wouldn’t be able to add too much value to the audit or the client.
Tip 4: Ensure Impartiality in Audits
Verify the CB’s process for ensuring auditor impartiality, preventing conflicts of interest that could compromise the audit’s integrity.
Is there a process in place? Do they assure that the auditor is not consulting the company that they are going to audit? This is very important!
Why is this important?
The number one rule in any form of auditing is “an auditor must not audit their own work.” Several issues arise if a CB uses an Auditor who has previously consulted to the organisation.
Tip 5: Assess Internal Quality Management
Examine the internal quality management system of the certification body to confirm compliance with ISO 17021 Part 1 and adherence to IAF mandatory documents.
Why are these questions important questions to ask?
Certification Bodies are guided by Accreditation Bodies – they provide various mandatory documents and frameworks to ensure that the CB is providing YOU with an appropriate certification service. This guidance also covers the hours a CB should spend on your certification audit.
BONUS TIP:
You can access the IAF Mandatory Documentation on the IAF website (for free). This will allow you to better understand how the CB is expected to structure their audit hours, amongst a bunch of other things that are handy to know as the auditee.
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDE: Questions and Factors to Determine Accreditation of an ISO Certification Body
Acquiring ISO certification is a significant milestone for any organization – ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance with international standards. However, choosing the right Certification Body (CB) is paramount to ensure the certification’s credibility and global recognition.
Reach out to Wynleigh International
Choosing the right Certification Body is a critical step in achieving a credible and internationally recognized certification. At Wynleigh International Certification Services, we prioritize transparency, impartiality, and excellence in our certification processes.
Reach out to us at +27 (0) 31 941 4790 for an obligation-free discussion about certification and the vital details involved.
Let us guide you in making informed decisions to elevate your organization’s standards and recognition on the global stage.
