ISO Registration

ISO registration refers to registering an organization with an external certification body to obtain certification for compliance with one or more standards established and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO is a non-governmental, independent international organization that brings together experts worldwide to develop global standards that address various issues and promote technological advancement.

ISO registration involves an extensive audit and assessment process by an external certification body to determine whether the organization meets the applicable ISO standard requirements. The certification body will review the organization's operations, procedures, and systems to ensure they comply with the relevant ISO standard.

Once the certification body confirms that the organization complies with the applicable ISO standard, it will issue an ISO certificate.

ISO Certification Requirements

The ISO certification requirements vary depending on the specific ISO standard, but generally, they include the following:

• Implementing a quality management system (QMS) that addresses the needs of the applicable ISO standard
• Documenting processes and procedures related to the QMS
• Establishing and maintaining a management system that is focused on continual improvement
• Ensuring that employees are trained on the QMS and are aware of their responsibilities
• Demonstrating compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements
• Monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of the QMS through internal audits and management reviews
• Identifying and addressing non-conformities and taking corrective and preventive actions
• Keeping records related to the QMS and maintaining document control.

Specific ISO standards may have additional requirements depending on the scope of the standard.

ISO Certification Process in India

The ISO certification process in India typically involves the following steps:

Determine the type of ISO certification needed

The first step is to determine the type of ISO certification that best suits your business needs. This could be based on the industry, target market or customers' specific requirements.

Identify a Certification Body

Once you have determined the type of ISO certification needed, you will need to identify a Certification Body (CB) accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB). You can also check the list of CBs on the NABCB website.

Prepare the documentation

The next step is to prepare the necessary documentation, which includes a Quality Manual, Procedures, and Work Instructions. This documentation will help demonstrate that your business follows the requirements of the relevant ISO standard.

Certification decision

The Certification Body (CB) will decide based on the results of Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits. The CB will issue an ISO certificate if the QMS meets the standard's requirements.

Surveillance audits

After certification, the CB will conduct surveillance audits to ensure the QMS meets the standard's requirements.

Re-certification audit

After three years, the QMS will be re-certified based on a re-certification audit.

Implementation of the Quality Management System (QMS)

The QMS must be implemented and maintained per the standard's requirements. This includes identifying and managing risks, documenting and controlling procedures, and performing internal audits.

• Stage 1 audit: A Stage 1 audit is a documentation review to ensure that the QMS documentation aligns with the requirements of the ISO standard.
• Stage 2 audit: A Stage 2 audit is a site audit to ensure that the QMS is implemented and maintained as per the standard's requirements. This audit typically includes interviews with key personnel, observations, and a review of records.