Frequently Asked Questions about ISO Standards

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. This organisation develops international standards to help ensure the quality, safety and efficiency of products, services and systems.

It is the set of interrelated elements within an organisation — structure, roles, planning, processes — that allow it to set policies and objectives and to achieve them.

No. We are ISO consultants. We help implement the system and prepare the organisation, but the certificate itself is issued by an independent, accredited certification body.

Yes. ISO management system standards share a common structure, which makes it possible to integrate them into a single system.

It depends on the size of the organisation, the scope of certification, the starting point and how involved the team is in the project.

The total cost is made up of the consultancy cost and the certification cost. The certification cost depends solely on the certification body chosen and the services it includes, such as audits and reviews.

It varies according to the standard, the size and complexity of the organisation, and whether some elements of a management system are already in place. The internal time people can dedicate and the tools required also play a part.

An internal audit is carried out at the organisation's own initiative, to check its system. An external certification audit is carried out by the certification body to issue or maintain the certificate.

The requirements for a Quality Management System focused on customer satisfaction and continual improvement.

The requirements for an Environmental Management System to control the environmental impact of an activity.

The requirements for an occupational health and safety management system aimed at preventing workplace risks.

The requirements for an Information Security Management System (ISMS), based on risk analysis.