Short answer: Choose a certification body for its independence, auditor competence in your sector, transparent audit-time calculation and accreditation relevant to your customers. To verify a certificate, check the number, client name, scope, sites and expiry with the issuing body's verification service, and check the certifier's own accreditation where that matters to you.
Choosing a certification body
- Independence: no "package" deals, decisions by people not on the audit.
- Competence: auditors authorised for your standard and your industry sector.
- Audit time: days calculated transparently under IAF MD 5. Be cautious of quotes with far fewer days than others.
- Accreditation: if your customers or regulators require accredited certificates, check that the certifier is accredited for your standard and scope.
- Verification: certificates should be checkable online.
Verifying a supplier's certificate
- Check the certificate number with the issuing body's verification service.
- Compare the legal name, site address and scope with what you are buying.
- Check the status (valid, suspended, withdrawn or expired) and the expiry date.
- Check the standard edition and, where relevant, the accreditation mark against the accreditation body's own records.
Red flags
- A scope that does not include the product or site you buy from.
- No way to verify the certificate with the issuer.
- Accreditation marks from bodies you cannot find.
You can check any BVS certificate on our verification page.
Next step
A checklist for choosing a certifier on substance rather than price, and how buyers can check whether a supplier's certificate is genuine and current.
Verify a BVS certificate
