Choosing a certification body: 5 practical tips

You have decided to become ISO certified. Now you need to choose a certifier. There are almost 50 in the Netherlands - all accredited by the same regulator. So all good?

Not quite. The differences in approach, sector knowledge and price are greater than you think. One certifier has auditors with years of experience in your industry. The other simply completes a checklist. And yes, costs also vary - but the cheapest choice is not necessarily the best.

In this article you can read what you should really pay attention to. No theory, but practical criteria that you can use immediately when choosing a certifier.

First things first: what is accreditation?

Before you start comparing certifiers, there is one basic requirement: they must be accredited. In the Netherlands this is usually by the RvA (Accreditation Council), but certifiers can also be accredited by a foreign body such as UKAS (United Kingdom) or DAkkS (Germany). These certificates are recognised everywhere through international agreements.

An accredited certifier:

• Works according to international standards (such as ISO 17021 and ISO 27006)
• Is regularly checked for quality
• Provides certificates that are internationally recognised

Why this matters: A certificate from a non-accredited party has less value. Some customers or tenders do not accept it.

Good to know. Accreditation guarantees that a certifier meets the minimum requirements. It says nothing about how good they are in your specific sector, or how pleasant the collaboration is. We’ll get to that in a moment.

What does certification really cost?

Certification is not a one-time expense. You pay for a three-year cycle: first the initial audit, then two annual surveillance audits (surveillance). After three years, recertification follows and the cycle begins again.

Price indication ISO 9001

ISO 27001 (information security) is more expensive: expect 30-50% more than ISO 9001 due to the more complex audit.

Where are the hidden costs?

Your certifier’s quote is not the whole story. Also note:

• Travel costs - Some certifiers charge €0.50+ per kilometer. This increases with an auditor from outside your region.
• Re-audit in case of deviations - If you do not pass the audit in one go, you will pay extra for a follow-up visit.
• Internal time - This is often the largest expense. Expect 150-300 hours for a small business to get everything in order.

The auditor makes the difference

You choose a certifier, but in practice you work with an auditor. And that person largely determines how valuable the audit will be for you.

Industry knowledge counts

An auditor doesn’t have to be an expert in your field - in fact, complete independence is mandatory. But an auditor who understands your sector asks better questions. They see more quickly where the risks are and provide feedback that actually helps you further.

An auditor without industry experience often completes a checklist. Formally correct, but you don’t learn much from it.

Personal click

An audit is not an exam you have to be nervous about. It’s a conversation about how your company works. If the working relationship is poor - too formal, too critical, or too superficial - then every audit feels like a box-ticking exercise.

Good to know. Is the working relationship with your auditor not right? You can ask your certification body to send someone else next year. That’s more common than you might think.

Added value vs. tick off

Some auditors only look for what is wrong. Others also look at what could be improved. They provide observations - not formal deviations, but suggestions for improvement. You will only notice that difference during the audit, but you can ask about it in the preliminary phase.

5 questions for your first interview

You have a few certifiers in mind. Before you decide, ask these questions:

1. What is the all-in price for three years?

Don’t just ask about the initial audit, but about the complete cycle: year 1, the two surveillance audits, and the travel costs. This is how you compare apples with apples.

2. How much experience do you have in my sector?

Ask specifically: how many companies in your industry have they certified? Which auditor would you get, and what is their background? The more specific the answer, the better.

3. Can I meet the auditor in advance?

Not every certifier offers this, but you can always ask. A short introductory meeting prevents surprises and gives you a feeling for the collaboration.

4. How soon can we start?

Auditor calendars fill up quickly. Ask what the turnaround time is from application to certificate - and whether it suits your schedule. Do you have a deadline from a customer or tender? Name it immediately.

5. What happens if I fail the audit?

Hardly anyone passes the audit perfectly. Ask how they deal with deviations: how much time do you get to resolve issues? What does a possible re-audit cost? A certifier who is clear about this will prevent stress afterwards.

Not satisfied? You can switch

Many companies think they are stuck with their certifier. That’s not true.

You can switch at any time in your certification cycle - including just before a scheduled audit. Most certifiers do not charge exit fees. Be sure to check the notice period in your contract.

What do you need when transferring?

• Copy of your current certificate
• Audit reports from the past three years
• Overview of outstanding deviations and how you resolved them

The new certifier assesses these documents and takes over your cycle. You don’t have to start over.

In short: the choice of a certifier is important, but not irreversible. If it doesn’t work, switch.

Get started

Finding a good certification body does not have to be a search. Know what you want, ask the right questions, and compare a few parties. The rest will follow automatically.

Want to know more about specific standards? Read our complete guides on ISO 9001 Certification, ISO 27001 Certification, ISO 42001 Certification, ISO 14001 Certification and ISO 45001 Certification.