Initial certification is the route to your first certificate for a standard. It covers everything from application to the certification decision, built around a two-stage audit.
Is Your Organization Ready?
Before applying, check that:
- your management system covers a defined scope of activities and sites;
- the documented information required by the standard exists and is in use;
- the system has operated long enough to produce records, typically a few months;
- at least one full internal audit and one management review have been completed; and
- actions from them have been started or completed.
What the Two Stages Do
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Confirm readiness and plan Stage 2 | Confirm the system is implemented and effective |
| Focus | Documents, scope, site conditions, key planning elements | People, activities and records across the whole scope |
| Result | Areas of concern to address | Findings and the recommendation for the certification decision |
How Long Does Initial Certification Take?
Once your system is producing records, Stage 1 to certification decision usually takes a few weeks to a few months. The main variables are your readiness, scheduling, and how quickly any nonconformities are closed.
What It Costs
Cost is driven by audit days, calculated from headcount, sites, complexity and the standard. Integrated audits for several standards usually reduce the total. Your proposal shows the cost of every audit in the three-year cycle.
Common Reasons for Delay
- Internal audit or management review not completed before Stage 1
- Scope that does not match actual activities or sites
- Records that cover only a few weeks
- Key people unavailable on audit days
- Corrective action evidence submitted late
After Certification
You receive your certificate, your record appears in our verification system, and the first surveillance audit is scheduled within 12 months of the decision.