Frequently Asked Questions

Management system certification is run to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1 and our accreditation scope is published in the document on the Accreditation and Rules page. For services outside the scope (for example the halal programme) this is stated separately in the quote.

Management system certificates are valid for three years; a surveillance audit is held every year and a recertification audit at the end of year three. A halal certificate is valid for one year.

The duration is calculated under international rules according to effective headcount, the risk level of the sector, the number of sites and the complexity of the system. You can see the approximate duration with the audit duration calculator on our site.

No. For reasons of impartiality, certification bodies cannot consult and do not recommend a consultancy firm. You may choose an independent consultant to set up your system.

After you fill in the fast quote form the application review is done within one working day; a written quote with audit duration and fee reaches your email within 24 hours.

A certificate is suspended if the surveillance audit is not carried out, a major nonconformity is not closed in time or the certificate usage rules are breached. The status shows as 'Suspended' on the verification page; once the problem is fixed it is reactivated by audit.

Yes. Standards such as ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 can be run together as an integrated audit; because common processes are audited once, the total audit duration and fee fall.

Stage 1 audits, document-heavy standards such as information security and surveillance audits can be done remotely or in hybrid form under suitable conditions. A site visit is mandatory for production sites and food plants.

Yes. You can submit your appeal via the Complaint and Appeal form on our site. A committee that took no part in the audit concludes it within 30 days and an appeal carries no fee.