Frequently Asked ISO Questions

Do you have any more questions?  We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions relating to accreditation.

• How long does it take and how much will it cost ?
• How much will my assessment cost ?
• Can you help us choose the right assessment body ?
• Can you offer assistance after we are accredited ?

How Long Will My Assessment Take ?

Or, perhaps, "How long is a piece of string ?"  Seriously though, the time taken and the cost to achieve accreditation will vary depending upon the following: 

The standard(s) you are hoping to achieve accreditation for, as they all vary with the amount of work involved. 
For example, ISO 9001 is all about your working processes so it is predominantly looking at what you're doing to manage your customers.  It is thought that most organisations are already 50% of the way to accreditation before even starting to work for ISO 9001, so the process is often a case of getting that information into an approved format.
If you are choosing to do ISO 14001, the work will include an environmental review to determine which of your processes you have the potential to improve.
Similarly if you choose BS OHSAS 18001, there you need to comply with legislation, such as completing sufficient risk assessments, in order to gain accreditation.

The complexity of your organisation including how you provide your service and/or manufacture your product.

Geographical locations e.g. do you operate out of one site or ten ?  The system should be adopted at all your sites. 

The assessment body you choose.  Their availability will be a significant concern in the accreditation process, with some which will be available in two months, others in four months.  Similarly for most management standards, many assessment bodies adopt a two stage certification approach: Stage 1 will include completing a gap analysis of the system to establish your readiness, with Stage 2 (or the final assessment) then encompassing a full audit of the management system (the pass or fail scenario).

The number of employees involved in the organisation.  This is because, generally, more people mean more processes, and these all have to be considered in the accreditation scope.  This will also affect your assessment duration: more people will require more days from the assessment body.

How Much Will My Assessment Cost?

This cost will vary depending upon the assessment body you select. There are a large number of these bodies in the UK, with some better known than others.  Some are more cost effective, though often the more expensive options may be popular in specific industries or sectors.

There is no right or wrong assessment body, though at JR Consultants we only use and recommend UKAS accredited assessment bodies.

Can You Help Us Choose the Right Assessment Body?

Yes we can.  We have built up close business relationships with many, all of whom are UKAS accredited and our recommendation will depend on their costs and their experience in your industry.

Can You Offer Assistance After We Have Gained Accreditation ?

Yes we can.  We class this as a service contract, and it will encompass the complete annual ongoing management of the system as it develops.

We will plan and schedule the audits accordingly, and these will then be completed by one of our auditorsat the required time.  Any non conformity found will be raised and rectified as necessary, ready for your annual surveillance visit from the assessment body, which we will also attend.

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For more information about our ISO accreditation services, please contact us.

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