ISO Certification FAQ: Answers for Indian Businesses
Answers to common questions about ISO certification, cost, timelines, documents, accreditation, audits and certification bodies.
Practical ISO guidance
Standards, scope, documentation, implementation, audits and certification guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is ISO certification?
It is a third-party conformity assessment of an organization’s management system against an applicable ISO standard.
Which ISO standard should my company choose?
Choose according to activities, risks, customer expectations, legal requirements and management-system objectives. ISO 9001 addresses quality, ISO 14001 environment, ISO 45001 occupational health and safety, ISO 27001 information security and ISO 22000 food safety.
How long does certification take?
There is no universal duration. Scope, size, readiness, implementation maturity and audit scheduling affect the timeline.
What documents are required?
Requirements vary by standard. Typical starting information includes business details, scope, processes, policies, objectives and relevant records.
Can startups and MSMEs get ISO certification?
Yes, when the applicable requirements can be demonstrated for the defined scope.
Can one company have multiple ISO certifications?
Yes. Multiple management systems can be implemented and certified, including through an integrated approach.
Does ISO certification guarantee product quality?
Management-system certification assesses the management system; it is not automatically a guarantee that every individual product or service is defect-free.
Does ISO certification expire?
Certificates are maintained through a certification cycle involving surveillance and recertification activities.
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