Introduction:
ISO Certification is important for every organization. There are several types of standards developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization to help professionals and business owners run smooth and successful businesses. ISO certification is a mark of approval from a 3rd party body; usually an internationally recognized body. In this article, you will learn how long an ISO certification is valid for!
ISO Certification – What is it?
ISO refers to the International Organization for Standardization. It is an independent organization that provides standards in terms of safety, environment sustenance, quality, and efficiency of products and services provided by businesses or organizations. ISO certification helps to improve your business reputation as well as overall efficiency. Have you gotten an ISO certification or in the process of getting one? How long is an ISO certification is valid for? Read on to find out.
How long is an ISO certification valid for?
Once an organization is awarded an ISO certification, it is valid for 3 years. As you may know, a Quality Management System is established for a company certification and it must be maintained regularly to stay compliant and achieve intended objectives.
The ISO certificate is issued once the final stage of the certification audit is done and all observations and findings are effectively closed and reviewed by the Auditors.
Though the certificate is issued for 3 years, after the ISO certification audit, it is still mandatory to have a surveillance audit every year. If during this, it is discovered that the organization has failed to conduct the surveillance audit nor maintained its policies, then the certificate comes under suspension.
Surveillance audits are conducted by the certification bodies. At the end of the certification period (which means the end of the 3rd year), a Re-certification audit is conducted which will last for another 3 years.
How to check the validity of ISO certificates
1. You can look at the list of the accreditation bodies from the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
2. Under the accreditation board, search for the name of the certification body that you are looking for; i:e the one mentioned on your certificate.
3. You can verify the certificate number under your certification body.
4. Always check if the accreditation body is approved on the list of accreditation bodies, if it’s not approved then it is a problem.
Who gives ISO certification?
ISO Certification is provided by certification/registration bodies, which are independent of ISO. Certification bodies need to be accredited by an IAF member to be internationally recognized.
How to maintain my ISO certification?
To maintain your ISO certification, you need the expertise of a lead auditor. The lead auditor will conduct periodic audits to identify non-compliance gaps and recommend corrective courses of action. The lead auditor is a highly qualified and valued professional who can either be an employee of your company or an independent consultant. ISO has various certifications with a popular three namely: ISO 9001 QMS, ISO 14001 EMS, and ISO 45001 OHSMS.
If you want to be a certified lead auditor of any or all three of these standards, you have to attend the ISO lead auditor training course. See more below
When should I renew my ISO certificate?
Knowing how long an ISO certification is valid for will help you know when to renew your ISO certificate. The reassessment of your certification provides for a review of the past performance of the quality management system throughout the previous certification, including examination of the documents or the records related to the internal audits, management reviews, and effectiveness of corrective actions, and preventive actions. As discussed, your ISO certification is valid for 3 years, before your existing certificate gets lapsed you need to renew the certification.
Conclusion:
ISO certification is important for organizations. An ISO certification is valid for 3 years. To maintain your ISO certification, you need the expertise of an ISO Lead Auditor. 3FOLD Training is an approved training partner of CQI IRCA which is recognized worldwide and provides ISO Lead Auditor training. We hope this article has provided an answer to your question – How long is an ISO Certification valid for? We offer the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Lead Auditor Course, ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Lead Auditor Course, and ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System Lead Auditor Course. View our upcoming batch. To enroll, reach us through the enquiry form, whatsapp, or email.
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