ISO Certification vs ISO Accreditation – What’s the Difference?

If you’ve started exploring quality or compliance systems for your business, chances are you’ve come across the terms ISO certification and ISO accreditation. While they sound similar, they are not the same, and confusing them can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, or even non-compliance.

This article will break it all down in simple terms so you can clearly understand the difference between ISO certification and ISO accreditation, why each matters, and how they affect your business.

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What Is ISO Certification?

Definition

ISO certification is a formal recognition that a company, process, or product meets the requirements of a specific ISO standard. This certification is issued by a third-party certification body after a successful audit.

Example

If your company gets certified for ISO 14001 (environmental management), it means an external certification body has audited your systems and verified that they meet the ISO 14001 standard.

Who Provides ISO Certification?

• Independent certification bodies (also known as conformity assessment bodies or CABs)
   
• These organisations evaluate and audit your management systems.
   
• After successful compliance, they issue your ISO certificate.

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What Is ISO Accreditation?

Definition

ISO accreditation is the formal recognition that a certification body (like the one that certifies your business) is competent and qualified to carry out certifications against ISO standards.

In simpler words:

• Certification = proves your business meets ISO standards.
   
• Accreditation = proves the certifier is qualified to issue that certification.
   

Who Provides ISO Accreditation?

• Accreditation bodies are national or international organisations responsible for assessing and approving certification bodies.
   
• These include bodies like:
   
  • ASCB (Accreditation Service for Certifying Bodies)
     
  • IAS (International Accreditation Service)
     
  • Others vary by country.
     

Note: Some countries have national accreditation bodies (like UKAS in the UK), while others recognise multiple international accreditation schemes.

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ISO Certification vs ISO Accreditation – Key Differences

Let’s compare the two side-by-side for clarity:

 

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Why Does the Difference Matter for Your Business?

Understanding the distinction between ISO certification and ISO accreditation is crucial for businesses pursuing compliance, quality, and international recognition.

🔹 1. Choosing a Credible Certifier

Always check whether the certification body you’re working with is accredited. This ensures they meet international standards and are authorised to issue valid ISO certificates.

🔹 2. Meeting Client or Legal Requirements

Some clients or tenders may require that your ISO certification come from an accredited certification body. If you unknowingly choose a non-accredited body, your certificate may be rejected.

🔹 3. Avoiding Misrepresentation

Incorrectly claiming your business is “ISO accredited” (when you mean certified) can damage your credibility. It’s a common but serious mistake that should be avoided.

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Real-Life Analogy: Think of a University System

To make it even clearer:

• A university (your business) gets a degree (ISO certification) from a college (certification body).
   
• The college must itself be approved (accredited) by a national education board (accreditation body).

If the college isn’t recognised, your degree might be worthless. The same logic applies in ISO certifications.

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ISO Standards Relevant to Certification and Accreditation

Here are a few ISO standards you may come across:

🔸 ISO Standards for Businesses (Certification)

• ISO 9001 – Quality Management
   
• ISO 27001 – Information Security
   
• ISO 14001 – Environmental Management
   
• ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
   

🔸 ISO Standards for Certification Bodies (Accreditation)

• ISO/IEC 17021 – Requirements for bodies certifying management systems
   
• ISO/IEC 17025 – For testing and calibration labs
   
• ISO/IEC 17065 – For product certification bodies

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Can a Company Be ISO Accredited?

No — a company cannot be ISO accredited. Only certification bodies can receive ISO accreditation. Your business can only be ISO certified.

This is one of the most common misunderstandings, and even some businesses use the terms interchangeably, which should be corrected.

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What Happens If You Work with a Non-Accredited Certifier?

Here are potential risks:

• 🛑 Your certification may not be recognised by clients, suppliers, or authorities.
   
• ⚠️ You might miss out on tenders or contracts requiring accredited certification.
   
• ❌ You could damage your brand’s reputation if stakeholders question the legitimacy of your certificate.

To avoid these issues, always ask:
“Is your certification body accredited by a recognised accreditation body?”

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Tips for Businesses Seeking ISO Certification

• Do your research on certification bodies before signing any contract.
   
• Ask for proof of accreditation (e.g., ASCB, IAS, etc.).
   
• Check whether the certificate meets your customer or regulatory requirements.
   
• Be clear in your communication: you are ISO certified, not ISO accredited.

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Final Thoughts

While ISO certification and ISO accreditation are closely connected, they serve very different purposes. Think of them as two levels in a trustworthy chain:

• Your business gets certified to an ISO standard.
   
• The certification body is accredited to ensure they’re competent and credible.

Understanding this difference protects your reputation, ensures compliance, and gives your customers confidence in the quality and reliability of your services.

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Need Help Getting ISO Certified?

At Reliable Certification, we help businesses across various sectors become ISO certified through a streamlined, transparent process. Our certifications are backed by recognised accreditation bodies like ASCB, ensuring global credibility and trust.