How to Obtain ISO Certificate in India

October 11, 2022

Registrationwala

Preface: This post was originally published in 2022 and has been updated on February 15, 2025, to provide you with the most current and accurate information.

ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. It is an independent organization that provides standards in terms of quality, efficiency and safety of goods and services offered by businesses.

In this blog post, we will understand how to obtain ISO certificate and ISO certificate’s importance in India.

What is ISO Certification?

ISO certification is basically a credential that confirms that a business adheres to the quality process standards of the International Standards Organization. The ISO is a non-governmental organization that determines specifications for products, services, and systems to ensure quality and efficiency.

The organization's origins trace back to the mid-20th century, when international delegates convened in London to create a new standardization for international cooperation and organization. Today, the ISO has nearly 23,000 published standards across 164 countries.

There are several types of ISO certifications, including:

ISO 27001:2005: Information Security Management Systems.
ISO 14001:2004: Environmental Management Systems.
ISO/TS 16949:2009: Electronic Product Code (EPC).
ISO 9000:2008: Quality Management Systems.
ISO 22008: Food Safety Management.

Importance of ISO Certificate

There is an ever-increasing competition among businesses. Therefore, in order to sustain in the market, it is extremely important for businesses to deliver high quality goods and services. ISO certification helps to improve the credibility, trustworthiness and overall efficiency of your business.

Such a designation, in today’s marketplace, validates that an organization meets the global standards of quality assurance, manufacturing and business.

Additionally, ISO certification also proves a company’s commitment to crucial business goals like customer satisfaction and production. Many public and private entities even request companies to acquire ISO certification before giving consent to conduct business with them.

ISO Certification Procedure

Procedure for obtaining ISO certificate in India is as follows:

ISO Registrar

The first step in the procedure of obtaining ISO certification is selecting the ISO registrar. ISO registrar is basically an independent certification body that audits an organization for compliance with ISO standards and issues the certificate of conformity.

The registrar must be chosen based on their experience within the scope category of your specific industry.

ISO Application

The applicant entity will prepare the ISO application/contract. Both the Registrar and entity shall agree on the application/contract.

In the contract, rights and obligations of both parties are defined. It includes liability issues, access rights and confidentiality.

Review of Quality Manual

A quality manual will be required by the Registrar for review. This manual is a document that establishes and outlines the policies governing the quality management system of the company.

Pre-Assessment of Quality Management System

Pre-assessment is an initial review of the organization's quality management system. Before the regular registration assessment is carried out, the registrar will give the organization a chance to address any major weaknesses or omissions in the system through the pre-assessment before going for ISO registration process.

ISO Audit by Registrar

Following the submission of an application for ISO registration, the registrar will carry out the audit, which includes meeting with the KMPs and auditors, reviewing and examining the documents, and issuing an audit report.

Anything that the auditor discovers that does not adhere to ISO standards will be put in the report.

Issuance of ISO Registration Certificate

Once the findings are stated in the Audit Report and all the nonconformities are addressed, the applicant entity can get the ISO certification and then the same can be used for the purpose of publication.

Surveillance Audit

Surveillance audit is performed by the registrar to ensure that the organization maintains the ISO quality standards. This audit is conducted from time to time.

Validity of ISO Certification

Once the organization files an ISO certification application and gets approval, it is issued an ISO certificate that remains valid for three years. To maintain validity, recertification and surveillance audits are necessary. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the certification becoming invalid.

Conclusion

ISO certification is a mark of approval that a company’s systems comply with international standards for quality and consistency. There are many types of IPO certificates based on different business requirements. Need help in applying for an ISO certification application? Connect with Registrationwala for assistance.