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Accreditation
Accreditation
Did you know that 'ISO Accreditation' does not actually exist? What people really mean is 'ISO Certification'.
Strangely enough there is, in point of fact, no such thing as 'ISO Certification'.
Nevertheless many Consultants and Certification Bodies will offer 'ISO Certification' and choose not to explain this very common misnomer to potential clients through fear of confusing them.
ISO do not issue, authorise the issue of, or recognise any type of certification.
What we are in fact looking at is a 'Certificate' from an Independent Qualified Third Party which states that your 'ISO Systems' have been Independently and impartially audited by a Qualified Auditor and have met the requirements of the particular ISO Standards in place.
In most situations this is all that is required in order for an organisation to prove to their clients that their management systems have been externally and impartially audited.
In some circumstances, an existing client or potential client may request that both Audit and Certification are provided by an Accredited Certification Body which has itself been independently audited, certified and accredited by one of the only three recognised UK Accreditation Bodies which are ASCB(e), UKAS and AIUK.
The Certification an Accredited Certification Body holds is called 'Accreditation' which is the qualification of the Certification Body, which assures you that they are a fit and proper organisation to carry out audits and provide valued and accepted certification.
This 'Accreditation' is achieved when the Certification Body is able to demonstrate by means of External and Impartial audit by ASCB(e), AIUK or UKAS that they work to the requirements of ISO 17021:2011, which is the International Standard for 'Accredited Certification Bodies'.
Remember: Certification Bodies get 'Accredited' by Accreditation Bodies ASCB(e), UKAS or AIUK and Certification Bodies issue 'Certification'.
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