KNOWLEDGE CENTRE / PRACTICAL GUIDE
ISO Consultancy, Certification and Accreditation: What Is the Difference?
These terms are related but describe different activities. Understanding the distinction helps an organisation plan its readiness work and avoid assuming that a consultant can issue an independent certificate or accreditation decision.
Understand the distinct roles of management-system consultancy, independent certification and laboratory accreditation.
Define the context and scope
Consultancy supports an organisation in understanding requirements, reviewing existing practices, planning implementation, improving processes and preparing evidence. The organisation remains responsible for operating its management system.
Understand relevant requirements
Certification is an independent third-party attestation that a management system, product, process or person conforms to specified requirements, depending on the certification scheme. For management systems, an independent certification body evaluates the defined scope.
Review risks and business priorities
Accreditation is a formal recognition by an accreditation body of the competence of a conformity assessment body to perform specified activities. For laboratories, accreditation is normally tied to a defined scope of testing or calibration activities.
Check applicability and sector needs
Validation and verification are separate assurance activities with their own applicable standards and independence requirements. Preparing a greenhouse gas inventory or product carbon footprint does not by itself mean that it has been independently verified.
Plan realistic implementation
Before engaging a provider, ask what work is included, who makes the independent conformity decision, what the scope covers, which scheme or standard applies and what credentials or authorisations are relevant. Verify these details directly with the responsible body.
EXPLORE FURTHER
Put the right information into context.
Explore service areas and industry considerations for your organisation.