Certification checklist: how to prepare for certification

Would you like to have your organization certified, but are you unsure where to start? This certification checklist outlines the key steps your organization can take to prepare for an independent certification audit.

By following these steps, you can work towards a structured certification journey and ensure that your management system is ready to be assessed against the applicable standard.

Certification checklist #

1. Purchase the standard you would like to implement, for example through NEN, NBN or the relevant standards body.
2. Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the standard and determine what they mean for your organization.
3. Request a proposal or schedule an introductory meeting with Brand Compliance to discuss the certification process, the scope of certification and the next steps.
4. Provide relevant training where necessary, so employees involved in the management system understand the standard and their responsibilities. Training can, for example, be followed through BC Academy.
5. Build or update your management system and ensure that it meets the requirements of the applicable standard.
6. Perform an internal audit to assess whether the management system has been implemented effectively and meets the requirements of the standard.
7. Carry out a management review. Management must review the performance of the management system, evaluate the results of the internal audit and determine whether corrective actions are required.
8. Resolve identified nonconformities and implement corrective actions where necessary. A nonconformity is a failure to meet a requirement of the standard or the organization’s own management system.
9. Once your organization has determined that the management system is ready, Brand Compliance can carry out an independent certification audit. This usually consists of a stage 1 audit and a stage 2 audit.
10. If the audit results are positive and the certification decision confirms that the requirements have been met, Brand Compliance can issue the certificate.

Would you like to discuss the certification process with our team? Please contact Brand Compliance for an introductory meeting.