The certification process step by step

If your organization applies for a certification trajectory with Brand Compliance, several topics need to be discussed. This allows us to assess whether we can submit a proposal for certification. Below, we explain this process step by step.

Step 1: Preparation of the discussion

After your application, our account manager prepares the discussion as thoroughly as possible. Especially when a certification trajectory is new to you, it is important for us that you clearly understand what to expect.

To ensure an efficient discussion, it is helpful if you prepare in advance and gather several required details.

Step 2: Providing the required information

To process a certification application, a number of details are required. This concerns the minimum information needed to perform a proper assessment, including:

To lend a hand, we have compiled a list of the minimum data we need to process the certification application: 

• the basic details of your organization;
• the legal structure of your organization;
• a recent extract from the Chamber of Commerce;
• the scope you wish to have certified;
• an overview of any outsourced processes within the scope;
• the number of FTEs working within the scope (including permanent, temporary, part-time, full-time, contracted staff and volunteers);
• various business and IT factors to assess the complexity of the audit on which the time calculation is based;
• if applicable, the name of the consultancy involved in the implementation;
• the timeframe within which you aim to obtain certification;
• any specific considerations regarding personnel safety or information availability.

If you have questions about this list, you may contact the account manager prior to the discussion, or raise these questions during the consultation.

Step 3: Assessment of the application

Once all required information has been completed and the application has been prepared by the account manager, it is submitted to a member of Brand Compliance acting as application reviewer.

This step forms an important part of the application process, as it allows us to safeguard our independence and quality towards our (prospective) clients.

Step 4: Quotation and formalization

Following approval of the application, the account manager prepares and sends you a quotation, together with the certification regulations and general terms and conditions.

It is important that these documents are reviewed carefully. Upon acceptance, the signed quotation is returned, at which point the agreement is formally concluded.

Step 5: Setup of the certification trajectory

After the agreement has been concluded, the trajectory is transferred to one of our customer and project coordinators. The quotation is then converted into a concrete certification trajectory.

You will be contacted to schedule the first audit dates, based on the time calculation included in the quotation.

Questions about the steps?

Do you have questions about the steps described above, or would you like to discuss what this means for your organization?
Submit your question via the form. Our account manager will then contact you.