Does ISO 9001 Certification Need to be Renewed?

Yes, ISO certification needs to be renewed. Once your company has been certified under ISO standards, that certification is good for a period of three years. At the end of that three-year period, your company will need to submit to a reassessment process to renew your certification.

ISO certification

The reassessment process looks very similar to the audit phases of the initial certification process. As the three-year period ends, your company will want to begin collecting the necessary records to get your certification renewed.

One focus of the renewal assessment is to review past performance. The auditor will be reviewing documents and records to make sure your company has been sticking to the system and using it properly.

Another focus of the renewal assessment is constant improvement. Because improvement is such a central theme and goal of the ISO 9001 system, renewal auditors will want to see improvement in your company’s processes, as this will be evidence that you are using the system as designed.

While it may seem daunting to have to submit for a renewal audit every three years, if you’re sticking to the system, you should have no issues. Because the ISO 9001 system emphasizes good record keeping and constant improvement, you only need to adhere to it faithfully to ensure your certification is renewed.

As a note, you’ll want to apply for renewal ahead of your certification’s expiration date. This will allow you some time to regroup and make the necessary changes in the event you don’t pass the renewal audit.

 

Learn More about ISO 9001

 

Written: 29th July 2019
Author: Richard Keen

Richard Keen

Richard Keen

Richard is our Compliance Director, responsible for content & product development.
But most importantly he is ISO's biggest fanboy and a true evangelist of the standards.
Learn more about Richard