ISO Facts
Certification, Accreditation, and How to Verify
ISO develops and publishes standards, but it does not issue certificates or certify organizations. Certificates are issued by independent Certification Bodies (CBs), and their credibility is typically higher when the CB is accredited by an official accreditation body.
Key Facts
Essential information you should know
ISO develops standards but does not certify organizations or issue certificates.
Certification is issued by independent certification bodies; credibility is typically stronger when the certification body is accredited.
Certificate verification may be available through IAF CertSearch where participating bodies publish data.
Misuse of the ISO name/logo is taken seriously; complaints usually start with the certification body identified on the certificate.
Important Distinction: Certification vs Accreditation
Certification
The result of an external audit of a management system (e.g., ISO 9001). Issued by a certification body to the organization/company.
Accreditation
Formal recognition of the competence of the certification body itself by a national or international accreditation body.
How to Choose a Certification Body
Key points when selecting a CB
Compare Multiple Bodies
Price matters, but reputation + accreditation + scope matter more.
Verify Accreditation
Is the body accredited? By whom? Accreditation provides independent confirmation of competence.
Check the Scope
Some bodies are accredited but not for every standard or sector. Verify coverage for your standard.
Ask About CASCO Standards
Certification and accreditation bodies operate under ISO/CASCO conformity assessment standards.
How to Verify an ISO Certificate
Practical steps for verification
Request a copy of the certificate and verify: certificate number, company name, standard, scope, sites, and validity dates.
Identify the certification body from the certificate seal/mark or the body name on the certificate.
Try verification via IAF CertSearch (when the body's data is available there).
If nothing appears: contact the certification body or accreditation body mentioned on the certificate to confirm status.
Important International Organizations
IAF
International Accreditation Forum
A global network that facilitates worldwide recognition of assessment results (such as management system certificates) through the accreditation system.
ILAC
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
An international organization of accreditation bodies that accredit conformity assessment bodies such as laboratories and inspection bodies under ISO/IEC 17011.
Does ISO Accept Complaints About Fake Certificates?
ISO takes misuse seriously, but the usual path is:
- Start by contacting the certification body that certified the organization.
- You can identify the certification body from the certificate or its mark.
- If that fails, ISO has a support page explaining what can be done about complaints and misuse.
Need Help Choosing the Right CB?
If you need help selecting the right certification body or verifying a certificate (accreditation/scope/validity/status), contact us — we'll provide a clear, concise assessment before you pay a single riyal.
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