What does ISO stand for?

ISO (International Organization for Standardisation) is a non-government and independent international organization, which standardises how commercial businesses manage quality, process and information. An ISO certification means that the company has met a particular standard of requirements. Currently, 161 national bodies are members of the ISO.

What are the benefits of ISO Certification?

An International Certification helps small and large businesses by building a competitive edge, increasing their efficiency and giving a high level of customer satisfaction. Their customers can be assured that the company’s products are reliable, safe and of good quality.

What is the role of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in ISO 9001 Certification?

The BIS is the national standardisation body for India, it represents India in the International Standards Organization. The BIS is also a founding member of the ISO and follows the guidelines laid by the ISO for the standardisation activity. The ISO 9000 series (Quality Management System) of standardisation is the most popular standards around the world. The BIS has adopted these standards and have categorized them as:

• IS/ISO 9000 - Vocabulary and Fundamentals
• IS/ISO 9001 - Requirements
• IS/ISO 9004 - Performance and improvement Guidelines

Who can apply for an ISO 9001 Certification?

Any organisation can apply for an ISO 9001 Certification. The IS/ISO 9004 and 9000 are merely guidance standards.

What are the criteria for ISO 9001 Certification?

The ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification is the most common ISO certification, and is applicable to all businesses, despite its size or sector. The requirements under the latest quality system standard have to be met to receive the ISO 9001 certification.

What is meant by ISO Audit?

Through the ISO Audit, the quality process system of the organisation is checked to make sure that the company is following the necessary requirements to meet the standards of the certification. Once the ISO certification is received, the ISO audit will be conducted on a yearly basis.

What is the validity of the ISO Certification?

An ISO Certification is valid for a period of 3 years and can be renewed easily. However, a surveillance audit is conducted on a yearly basis to ensure that the ISO’s quality system requirements are met.

Who is an ISO Registrar?

An ISO Registrar, also called an accredited registrar or an accreditation certifying body, is an organisation that is recognised for its ability to audit and issue ISO certifications. These certifications are issued to conforming businesses when they meet the relevant ISO standards like ISO 9001 or ISO 14001.

Can my business’ Certification be cancelled?

Yes, the certification can be revoked if the company fails to meet the certification requirements. However, before the company’s certification is revoked, they might be given a chance to rectify/change the necessary processes to avoid revocation of their certification.

Who is eligible to grant an ISO Certification?

The International Organization for Standardisation doesn’t grant certifications. The certifications are instead granted by specific ISO registrars or certifying bodies who are members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). These bodies will need to have an ISO/IEC 17021 certification. When the certifying body or registrar isn’t recognised by the IAF (or does not meet the ISO/IEC 17021 standards), then, the certificates they issue will not be internationally recognised. When you receive your ISO certificate, it would contain the logo of the IAF.

Are the ISO Standards legally binding?

No, unlike laws and regulations, the ISO’s Standards are not legally binding; however, it might be obligatory when stipulated in a contract or agreement. Certain regulators might refer to the standards as an example of good practice.