Which standard for your company?
The three most requested management standards share the same ten-clause structure. That is why they can be implemented separately or combined into one integrated QHSE system, with a shared policy, internal audits and management review.
ISO 9001
Quality management
Control your processes, customer satisfaction and continual improvement.
See the serviceISO 14001
Environmental management
Identify your environmental aspects, meet your obligations, reduce your impacts.
See the serviceISO 45001
Occupational health and safety
Prevent injuries and ill health, involve workers.
See the serviceWhat certification actually changes
- You can answer tenders and clients that require a certificate.
- Responsibilities, processes and priorities become clear to everyone.
- Gaps, incidents and complaints are traced to their cause, not just fixed.
- Management steers with indicators that are tracked and reviewed.
- An independent body checks every year that the system works.
The steps to certification
Initial assessment
Measure the gap between your practices and the chosen standard.
Management commitment
Policy, objectives, certification scope and an internal project lead.
Context and risk analysis
Internal and external issues, interested parties, risks and opportunities, compliance obligations.
Building the system
Process map, useful documented information, indicators, handling of nonconformities.
Training and roll-out
Staff awareness, training of process owners, application in the field.
Internal audit and management review
Full check of the system and management decisions, as the standard requires before certification.
Certification audit
The certification body audits in two stages: document review and readiness, then on-site assessment.
After certification: the three-year cycle
An ISO certificate is generally valid for three years. During that time the certification body returns for surveillance audits, usually once a year, then carries out a recertification audit before expiry.
What a consultant does, and doesn’t
The consultant helps you build and run the system. They do not issue the certificate: that is granted by an independent certification body, preferably accredited. To guarantee independence, the same body cannot both advise and certify you.
[To be specified by HDAPEX: certification bodies your clients have used, with no commercial relationship.]
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get ISO certified?
It depends on company size, the number of sites and your starting point. The system must also run for a few months before the audit to provide evidence. [Usual range to be confirmed by HDAPEX.]
How much does ISO certification cost?
There are two separate costs: support (consultant) and the certification body’s audit. Both depend on headcount and scope. Request a quote for a tailored estimate.
Can ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 be certified together?
Yes. Thanks to their common structure, an integrated QHSE system avoids tripling documents, internal audits and management reviews.
Is a lot of documentation needed?
No. Current versions of the standards let the company choose the documented information it needs. The goal is a system your teams use, not a library of procedures.
What happens if the audit finds nonconformities?
The body classifies them (major or minor). You propose a corrective action plan; the certificate is granted once major nonconformities are addressed.