Certification bodies and independence

Certwell prepares you for certification. An independent certification body carries out the audit and issues the certificate. We keep those roles separate on purpose.

Why we never certify

Accredited certification bodies must be impartial. A body that helped build your management system cannot then audit it. That is why consultancy and certification are always separate organisations, and why a certificate from a body that also “did your paperwork” is worth less to your clients.

Choose a UKAS-accredited certification body

In the UK, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredits certification bodies. A UKAS-accredited certificate is the one main contractors and public buyers ask for. You can check a body's accreditation on the UKAS website before you book.

When you are ready, Certwell will suggest UKAS-accredited bodies that cover your standards and region. If we have a referral arrangement with a body, we will tell you, and it never affects the audit or its result.

What certification looks like

  1. Stage 1: the auditor reviews your documents and checks you are ready.
  2. Stage 2: the auditor checks the system works in practice, on site and through records and interviews.
  3. Surveillance: usually yearly visits to confirm you are maintaining it.
  4. Recertification: a full audit every three years.