Certification according to an ISO standard such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, etc. allows organizations of all sizes and in all sectors to demonstrate compliance in the field addressed (e.g., quality or environment), to improve stakeholder confidence, reduce risks, and optimize their performance.
To obtain certification, it is necessary to go through a rigorous process, and we at ACSQ spare no effort to make it as simple and transparent as possible.
Your certification journey begins with the first contact with ACSQ and continues well beyond the moment you have your certificate in hand. Fully understanding each phase will help you prepare best to face them together with us and will help us give you all the necessary support.
The Quotation
Based on the needs of your organization, we will provide you with a customized quotation for the certification program you have chosen, paying great attention to your needs and offering you absolutely competitive prices.
The Contract
The signing of the contract kicks off the main phases of the certification process.
The Transfer Process
This phase only concerns those who are switching to ACSQ from another certification body. Our experts will support you step by step in completing the transfer process.
Audit Preparation
During this phase, our team will work with you to design the best audit program for your organization. Careful management of audit timing is essential to avoid interruptions in the continuity of the process and in the dynamics of your company.
The Audit
This is the main phase of the certification path. Our auditors will visit your site to assess the implementation and effectiveness of management systems within your organization.
The Audit Report
After the audit, you will receive a detailed report from the lead auditor on how the audit was conducted, the results, and any non-conformities found.
The Closure of Any Non-Conformities
Should we find any non-conformities in your system, we will establish a certain period of time so that you can easily perform all the necessary corrective actions. For most standards, non-conformities must be corrected within 90 days of the completion of the audit.
The Certification Decision
Once all the non-conformities have been adequately addressed, a final report will be issued and sent to a qualified manager, who, provided that everything is in order, will issue the positive decision regarding the release of certification.
Surveillance
The initial certification will be followed by periodic surveillance audits during which our auditors will confirm that your organization continues to meet the requirements of the reference standard. There is some flexibility in the scheduling of these audits. We work with you to schedule them so that they offer you the greatest added value.