Who can apply

A certification body can apply if it:

• is a legal entity that can be held responsible for its certification decisions
• audits and certifies management systems, or is ready to, against one or more of the standards in scope
• has documented procedures for audits, certification decisions, complaints and appeals, and the use of certificates and marks
• employs or contracts auditors who are competent for the standards and sectors it applies for
• identifies and manages threats to its impartiality, and does not offer consultancy to the organisations it certifies

A body may apply before it has issued its first certificates. Accreditation is not granted until ISAO has witnessed at least one of its audits.

ISAO also accredits training organisations. They apply by email, in the same way as certification bodies: see how to apply.

ISAO also administers an auditor registration scheme. Registration is not yet open, so ISAO is not accepting applications from auditors at present.

ISAO does not accredit consultancies. An organisation that wants its own management system certified does not need accreditation: it can apply to ISAO for certification, as explained under Certification.