PART 6 - SELECTION OF A CERTIFICATION BODY

"Buyer Beware"

Some readers may be in possession of an ISO 9000:1994 series certificate issued by a non-accredited or non-UKAS accredited certification body. This Part provides advice on how to proceed initially towards ISO 9001:2000 registration. 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 United Kingdom accreditation body recognised 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 recognised international accreditation bodies under the terms of a Multinational Recognition Agreement known as a MLA. 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 9000:1994 series or ISO 9001:2000 certificate.

Non Accredited Certification

Some readers may hold ISO 9000:1994 series certificates issued by certification bodies who are either non-accredited or accredited by an accreditor who is not recognised by the UK Government. These bodies offer a cheaper service 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 recognised 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.

Making the Selection

We recommend that when you are ready to seek accredited certification you should:

Obtain a list of UKAS accredited certification bodies. [ABCB or UKAS can provide on request]
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

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