Frequently Asked Questions

An ISO standard is a set of requirements that any organisation can adopt voluntarily. These requirements have been developed by a network of international experts to represent the current consensus on best practice in specific areas of business operation.

When a company is certified (or registered) to an ISO standard, this means they have been independently assessed and found to be compliant with the requirements of the standard. Certification is provided by accredited third-party certification bodies.

This depends on the complexity of your operations and which standard(s) you are seeking. A small company seeking ISO 9001 might achieve certification in 2-3 months. Larger organisations or those seeking multiple standards may take 6-12 months.

Costs vary based on scope, number of standards, personnel/sites, installation method, and timeframe. Simple organisations may need 5-8 consultant days, while complex organisations may need 100+ days. Qualitation provides transparent pricing: day rate × number of days.

Yes, but self-implementation takes more time and lacks consultant insights. Consultants offer efficiency, experience, fresh perspectives, and timely readiness for certification assessments.

The Certification Body (CB) assesses systems against ISO standard criteria. CBs should be accredited, aligning with the official ISO structure. Non-accredited bodies are not recommended.

After obtaining accredited certification, it's valid for about a year (possibly 14 months) before needing re-assessment. Annual surveillance audits are also typically required.