ISO 9001 is part of a series of standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to standardize quality management systems worldwide.
ISO 9001 certification is a process in which an accredited and independent certification body, such as PIAQ, verifies whether a company's quality management system meets the requirements of ISO 9001. By certifying your processes to ISO 9001, you ensure that your company adheres to the highest quality standards.
In a globalized economy, ISO 9001 certification is often a critical factor in maintaining competitiveness. It not only helps companies optimize their processes but also strengthens stakeholder trust and ensures compliance with international regulations and standards.
The ISO 9001 standard serves as a foundational framework for many other ISO standards. If your company is already certified to ISO 9001, you have effectively met about 30% of the requirements of other relevant standards.
We have summarized the key data on ISO 9001 certification in the following graphic.
Key Data on ISO 9001 Certification
30%
Companies with ISO 9001 certification report an average reduction in lead times by 30%
40%
The rate of customer complaints decreases by an average of 40% in ISO 9001-certified companies
20%
Companies with ISO 9001 certification see a 20% increase in customer repeat purchase rates
75%
75% of employees in ISO 9001-certified companies report improved morale
100%
With ISO 9001 certification, you meet the requirements to participate in public or private tenders.
ISO 9001:2015 – Key Information for Your ISO 9001 Certification
What You Can Expect from ISO 9001 Certification by PIAQ:
International accreditations guarantee a neutral and valuable certification
Quotes within 24 hours
Certification audit achievable within 2-4 weeks
Desired audit date secured through early coordination
ISO 9001 certification starting from €1,790
Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
Fill out our ISO 9001 quote form now! Quick, straightforward, and without obligations – receive your free, personalized, and non-binding quote within 24 hours.
ISO 9001 Certification Process
The certification of your management system takes place in the following steps:
1 Request a Quote
2 Quote & Contract
3 Pre-Audit
4 Certification Audit
5 Certificate Issuance
6 Surveillance Audit 1
7 Surveillance Audit 2
8 Recertification
Certification Application – Certification Request
The first step toward certification is the certification request. You can submit the certification request via our website. We will process your certification request immediately and contact you within 24 hours.
Fill out our simple and straightforward quote form now – completely without obligations!
Certification Quote & Certification Contract
After reviewing your certification application, we will prepare a non-binding quote, which you will typically receive within 24 hours.
Please return the signed quote if it meets your requirements. After we receive and review your confirmation, we will also sign the quote. Only with our signature does the quote become a binding contract.
Pre-Audit (Optional)
The pre-audit offers you the opportunity to check in advance whether your quality management system meets the requirements of ISO 9001 and whether your company is ready for certification.
The pre-audit takes one day. This voluntary review helps identify and address potential weaknesses early on.
Certification Audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2)
The certification audit is divided into two phases: system analysis (Stage 1) and practical implementation (Stage 2).
Stage 1 - System Analysis: In this part of the audit, we review:
The documentation of the management system
Site-specific conditions
The customer's understanding of the standards
The scope of certification
Applicable legal and regulatory requirements
Conduct of internal audits and management reviews
Availability of resources for the Stage 2 audit
Readiness for the Stage 2 audit
Stage 2 - Practical Implementation: In this phase, it is checked whether:
The organization meets the standard requirements
The management system is effective
All relevant legal, regulatory, and customer-specific requirements are met
Certificate Issuance
As part of a technical review by the PIAQ Certification Committee, it is determined whether the audit was conducted properly, whether all required documents are complete, and whether it has been demonstrated that the standard requirements for the management system have been adequately met. Only then can the certificate be issued.
The issued certificate is valid for three years. However, an annual surveillance audit confirms the maintenance of the certificate.
Surveillance Audit 1
To ensure continuous compliance with certification standards and confirm the effectiveness of the management system, two surveillance audits are conducted in the two years following the certificate issuance.
The first surveillance audit takes place nine months after the certificate issuance date.
The first surveillance audit ensures that the organization continues to meet the established requirements and that the implemented systems and processes remain effective after the initial certification.
Surveillance Audit 2
The second surveillance audit takes place 12 months after the first surveillance audit.
The second surveillance audit ensures that the organization continues to meet the established requirements and that the implemented systems and processes remain effective after the initial certification.
Recertification
To renew your certificate after three years, a recertification audit is required. This usually takes place four months before the certificate's expiration date and is similar in scope to the Stage 2 audit.
Recertification begins a new certification process. Upon successful certification, a new certificate is issued.
The issued certificate is valid for three years. However, an annual surveillance audit confirms the maintenance of the certificate.
FAQ – Learn More About ISO 9001 Certification
Do you want to learn more about ISO 9001 certification? Our experts have answered the most important questions for you.
The implementation, development, and certification of a quality management system (ISO 9001 QMS) is a strategic decision. ISO 9001 certification can help:
Participate in tenders
Meet customer requirements
Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
Optimize your operating costs
Stand out from competitors
Retain customers
Win new customers
Improve your financial performance
Open opportunities in new markets.
The exact cost of your ISO 9001 certification is individual and depends on various factors, primarily influenced by the size of your company and the scope of the certification process. The number of locations, the number of employees, and the industry play a decisive role. The maturity of your existing management system and any previous or current certifications can also affect the costs.
ISO 9001 Certification Cost: Based on our current daily rates, you can expect costs starting from €1,790 for ISO 9001 certification if your company has 1-5 employees. Please note that this estimate may vary, and a more accurate assessment will be provided after receiving your specific information.
For ISO 9001 certification, companies must meet some basic requirements. Here is a brief summary of the key points:
Top management must actively commit to implementing quality management and complying with ISO 9001 standards. A quality management system (QMS) is established, covering all relevant processes. Companies must identify and comply with legal and customer-specific requirements. Quality objectives and measures are defined to ensure product and service quality. Continuous improvement of processes is pursued. Employees are involved through training, and regular internal audits and management reviews ensure the effectiveness of the system.
If the requirements are met, the certification process can begin with an accredited certification body.
ISO 9001 certification is a universal standard for quality management systems, applicable across industries and relevant to companies of all sizes. Whether it is large corporations, medium-sized enterprises, or startups, ISO 9001 provides a solid foundation for improving processes and increasing customer satisfaction.
This standard is applicable in a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, services, healthcare, and education.
Yes, ISO 9001 is designed to be integrable with other management system standards. This is partly due to the common structure developed by ISO for many of its management system standards, known as the "High-Level Structure" (HLS). This structure facilitates the integration of various management systems. Some of the standards often integrated with ISO 9001 include:
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety)
ISO 50001 (Energy Management)
ISO 27001 (Information Security)
From the perspective of the certification body PIAQ Germany GmbH, the ISO 9001 certification process includes several key steps, the duration of which may vary.
Overall, the certification process from the perspective of the certification body can take between 1 and 2 months, provided the company is already well-prepared for the audit. It is important to note that this estimate only covers the period during which the certification body is actively involved in the process. If you would like to learn more about how long ISO 9001 certification might take for your company, we are happy to assist. You can call us, send us an email, or use the contact form. We will be glad to explain the process and the expected duration of certification in a personal conversation.
How Can We Assist You?
Request our ISO 9001 certification quote for free and without obligation!
Contact us if you would like to learn more about ISO 9001 certification.
