Selecting a certification body for the certification of quality management systems
This factsheet provides information on how to proceed initially towards ISO 9001 certification of a quality management system (QMS). It explains the factors to be considered and pitfalls to be avoided by an SME when selecting a certification body either for the first time or in order to replace a certificate not accredited by UKAS.
United Kingdom Accreditation Service [UKAS]
UKAS is the only UK accreditation body in the field of QMS recognized by Government and it operates in strict accordance with agreed international standards and under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Trade and Industry. It is also subject to peer assessment by other recognized international accreditation bodies under the terms of a Multilateral Recognition Agreement. Most importantly, companies who are certified by a UKAS accredited certification body are the only ones who may display the 'Tick & Crown' logo on their certificate and on their publicity material. The 'Tick & Crown' logo provides visual assurance to the many purchasers who require their suppliers to hold a UKAS accredited ISO 9001 certificate.
Making the Selection
We recommend that when you are ready to seek accredited certification you should:
- Have a look at CQI's policy on accredited certification - here
- Obtain a list of UKAS accredited certification bodies.
- Contact at least three, describing your business and asking whether or not the certification body is accredited to provide certification services in your specific area of operations
- Prepare a shortlist and ask for quotations
- Make the choice
Obtaining the List of UKAS accredited certification bodies
UKAS Website www.ukas.com
The list of accredited certification bodies is listed under the title 'Accredited Bodies' on the home page. Clicking on the title Certification bodies on this page will open the UKAS Directory of Accredited Third Party Certification Bodies in PDF format. Additional information can be sought from either the Association of British Certification Bodies (ABCB) www.abcb.org.uk or the Independent International Organisation for Certification (IIOC) www.iioc.org.
Non UKAS Accredited Certification
Some certification bodies are either non-accredited or accredited by an accreditor who is not recognized by the UK Government. These bodies offer a service that may be cheaper than a UKAS accredited certification body and usually offer a package that combines consultancy with certification. Many offer to provide their services on a 'no certificate - no fee' basis, but, this offer should be viewed against the fact that a certificate is rarely, if ever, refused. It is invariably received together with a quality manual which may, or may not, reflect the operations of the SME. This practice is contrary to the requirements of the international standard with which UKAS accredited certification bodies are required to comply.
Some of these certification bodies claim to be accredited but, if they do, their accreditation will not have been granted by a UK Government recognized accreditor. Such accreditors are not subject to any regulatory constraints and provide little assurance of integrity, impartiality or accountability. Also they are not legally entitled to award the 'Tick & Crown' logo for display by their clients. Certificates issued by such a certification body may well not be recognized by your customers as valid for the purpose of qualifying you as a supplier.