Switching? Compare for free

Yes, you are free to change certification body. Under the international rules (IAF MD 2) you may switch as long as your certificate is valid and not suspended. Your current certification body may not withdraw your certificate just because you switch. The new certification body does carry out a short check of your file before taking over the certification. Read more about the rules

Your certificate remains valid during and after the switch. The new certification body takes over the certification for the same standard and within your existing certification cycle. There is no interruption in your certificate status.

The new certification body reviews your latest audit reports, any open nonconformities and your complaints history. This is called a 'pre-transfer review'. You give permission for your current certification body to share this information. For most companies this is a formality that is arranged within a few days. Read how switching works

In most cases not. The new certification body sees this file check as part of its intake and customer acquisition. Still, it is wise to ask the new certification body in advance, so you do not face any surprises.

On average, switching takes 2-4 weeks from the moment you choose a new certification body. This depends on the availability of the new auditor and the transfer of documentation. We support the whole process and make sure the planning runs smoothly.

Switching itself is generally free: certification bodies usually charge no switching costs, and our service is free and without obligation. What you pay afterwards for the audits and the certificate differs per certification body. Some work with an all-in price, others charge separately for the application, the audits and the certificate. So always compare the total price for the rest of your three-year cycle, not just the first audit.

Then you can simply switch. The new certification body accepts the recent audit and plans the next audit according to the existing schedule. Your audit cycle continues. Only if there are open major nonconformities do you need to resolve them before the switch is final.

Understandable that you think about that. But a new auditor also brings advantages: a fresh look at your processes and sometimes valuable insights your current auditor overlooks. Moreover, new auditors receive your complete file, so they do not start from scratch. Read why companies switch

Less than you think. Most of the work lies with the certification bodies, not with you. You provide your current audit reports and give permission for the transfer. We arrange the rest: collecting quotations, comparing them and coordinating the transfer. Read the full story

Not necessarily. All certification bodies work under internationally recognised accreditation requirements, whether they are accredited by the national accreditation body, UKAS or another body within the IAF network. Price differences arise from company size, efficiency and commercial choices - not from differences in quality. An audit by a cheaper certification body is just as valid as one by a more expensive one.