A clear, structured certification journey — typically 8–12 weeks — with a dedicated client manager at every step.
Submit your enquiry and we confirm the scope of certification — which sites, processes, and activities are covered. We provide a fixed-fee quote with no hidden charges. Once accepted, a dedicated client manager is assigned.
Our lead auditor reviews your management system documentation and evaluates your readiness for Stage 2, including site-specific conditions and the planning of Stage 2. Stage 1 is typically conducted remotely; it is performed on-site where the nature of the management system requires it. A Stage 1 report is issued with clear findings, identifying any areas of concern that could be classified as nonconformities at Stage 2.
The main audit assesses the implementation and effectiveness of your management system. This can be conducted on-site, remotely, or as a hybrid. Our auditors evaluate evidence, interview staff, observe processes, and assess how well the system is embedded.
If any nonconformities are identified during Stage 2, you submit your correction and corrective action plan. BCERT reviews and verifies the evidence: minor nonconformities are closed through documented evidence of correction and corrective action; major nonconformities require verification of implemented corrective action — by evidence review or a follow-up audit — before a certification decision can be made. As an impartial certification body, BCERT does not advise on or design corrective actions.
Following a successful audit and resolution of any nonconformities, the BCERT certification committee makes the certification decision. Your ISO/IEC 17021-1 conformant certificate is issued digitally within days, valid for three years with annual surveillance.
The first surveillance audit is conducted no later than 12 months from the certification decision date and verifies your management system continues to meet the standard's requirements.
A second annual surveillance audit confirms ongoing compliance and continual improvement across the system.
A full recertification audit is planned and completed — including the recertification decision — before the certificate expiry date, renewing certification for a further three-year cycle. BCERT schedules this proactively.
In line with ISO/IEC 17021-1, BCERT makes publicly available a description of its processes for granting, refusing, maintaining, renewing, suspending, restoring or withdrawing certification, and for expanding or reducing the scope of certification.
Certification is granted only after a positive, independent certification decision based on the Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit conclusions, the resolution of nonconformities, and a review of all relevant information. If the requirements are not fulfilled, BCERT refuses certification and informs the applicant in writing of the reasons. The applicant has the right to appeal the decision.
Certification is maintained through surveillance audits — the first no later than 12 months from the certification decision date, and at least annually thereafter — and renewed through a recertification audit completed before certificate expiry.
Certification is suspended where, for example, the management system persistently or seriously fails to meet requirements, the client does not allow audits at the required frequency, or the client voluntarily requests suspension. During suspension the certification is temporarily invalid, the client must not promote its certified status, and the public register is updated. Suspension does not exceed 6 months.
Certification is restored when BCERT has verified — by evidence review or, where necessary, a special audit — that the issues that caused the suspension have been resolved within the suspension period. The public register is updated to show the restored status.
Where issues causing suspension are not resolved within 6 months, or in cases of serious breach (including misuse of the certificate or mark), certification is withdrawn. The client must cease all use of the certification mark and references to certified status. The withdrawal is recorded in the public register. The client may appeal.
A certified client may apply to expand the scope of certification; BCERT reviews the application and carries out the audit activities needed to decide on the extension, which may be combined with a surveillance audit. BCERT reduces the scope where the client persistently or seriously fails to meet requirements for parts of the scope, and updates the certificate and register accordingly.
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