The certification process consists of two mandatory stages: Stage 1 – initial document review and Stage 2 – certification audit. To maintain certification, an annual surveillance audit is carried out, as well as a recertification audit every three years.
During the initial contact, we identify your needs and the conditions for certification. Company information is collected, and we explain how the ISO certification process works and what it entails. We request the necessary information for a quotation and discuss the structure and terms with you. You will then receive an offer, and once both parties agree on the content, your acceptance confirms that we regard you as our certification partner.
Read more about ISO certification.
You can purchase the standard at www.sis.se. The standard defines what must be included, and your organization should describe how the requirements will be fulfilled. We offer general ISO training courses for each standard.
Many companies choose to work with a consultant when developing their management system.
The pre-audit is optional. If you would like to assess the current implementation status of your management system, or simply have a rehearsal before the certification audit, we recommend a pre-audit. It is the best way to receive feedback on what may need to be improved. It also provides valuable experience of how the audit process is conducted. During a pre-audit, our auditor visits your organization and performs a limited review of the management system. After the audit, you will receive the results and have the opportunity to correct any deficiencies before the mandatory certification audit.
The document review is a mandatory stage where the documented management system and supporting materials are reviewed by the auditor appointed as responsible for your organization. The auditor familiarizes themselves with your management system and evaluates it against the applicable standard requirements. After the review, we provide feedback on our observations and any nonconformities. We recommend, when possible, that Stage 1 is performed on-site within the organization. However, it may be appropriate to carry out Stage 1 remotely via Teams or a similar platform, as the requirements can be verified through a remote review.
The certification audit is conducted on-site by an audit team. Depending on the size and complexity of the organization, and the number of locations or sites involved, the team may consist of a lead auditor, additional auditors, and subject matter experts. The audit begins with an opening meeting, followed by an agreed audit plan. The purpose of the audit is to verify the implementation of the management system, confirm that it is functioning as intended, and ensure that it meets the requirements of the applicable standard. At the closing meeting, the results and any nonconformities are presented. These must be corrected before a certificate can be issued. If major nonconformities are identified, a follow-up visit may be required to verify corrective actions. Once the responsible auditor determines that the system is properly implemented and compliant, the audit documentation is submitted to Svensk Certifiering Norden AB’s review committee, which evaluates the results, issues a decision, and ensures the certificate is released. Stage 1 focuses on documentation and preliminary implementation, while Stage 2 confirms full system integration. According to guidelines, there should be at least six weeks between the two audit stages.
A surveillance audit is normally conducted once per year, and we coordinate the timing together with you. Approximately two weeks before the audit, you will receive an audit plan describing what will be reviewed. The entire management system must be audited over a three-year cycle. Surveillance audits are required to maintain certification. All follow-up audits are scheduled and confirmed in the previous audit report.
Since there is always room for further improvement, recertification must be carried out every three years, in accordance with the requirements of the applicable standard. The purpose is to verify that the organization’s management system has been continually improved during the certification period, that it still meets all current requirements, and that it remains effective in achieving better performance. (For example, we verify that an environmental management system has led to reduced environmental impact.) Svensk Certifiering Norden AB issues a decision on continued certification once the auditor’s documentation has been reviewed and approved.
There are many reasons for certification. The general trend is toward increased demand for third-party certified quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management systems—both from businesses and public authorities. Requirements for approved quality and environmental systems are increasingly included as criteria for contract awards. Certification also provides a strong foundation for a successful marketing strategy. Many certified organizations report gaining new clients thanks to their certification. Moreover, implementing quality and occupational health and safety management systems creates a more structured organization, improving internal efficiency. With the introduction of the new “High Level Structure” across all ISO management system standards, we are seeing positive synergies between systems such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Today, environmental issues are more important than ever. The ongoing discussion about climate change and sustainable development cannot be ignored. Consumer awareness and expectations regarding environmental responsibility are steadily increasing, and the growing body of environmental legislation can partly be seen as a result of market pressure. Demonstrating that your company is certified according to ISO 14001 can provide a significant competitive advantage, as it shows that your organization has consciously chosen to take active responsibility for the environment.
The ethical perspective is also a key element in occupational health and safety and environmental certification. A certification according to ISO 45001 or ISO 14001 demonstrates not only compliance with legislation but also that workplace health, safety, and environmental responsibility are prioritized within the organization. In addition to the internal benefits, it sends a clear signal to the public that the company cares about its employees and the environment—something that also attracts future skilled employees.
Implementing a management system provides an opportunity to bring structure and clarity to your organization, assess potential, and establish clear objectives. A company that understands its capabilities and direction has a strong foundation for meeting future requirements, changes, and challenges. Other accredited audits we perform include medical technology ISO 13485 and information security ISO 27001.
If, for any reason, there is a need to submit a complaint or appeal regarding Svensk Certifiering or a certified client, this can be done by contacting info@svenskcertifiering.com.
We will confirm receipt of your complaint.
Once your complaint or appeal has been received, it is registered in our improvement handling process.
After our root cause analysis and corrective actions have been completed, you will be contacted with feedback regarding our decision.
For personnel certification services, complaints concerning certified individuals will be communicated to the relevant party upon receipt.
Following the decision, we follow up on the effectiveness of the actions taken.
All complaints are handled independently, impartially, and promptly.
Svensk Certifiering Norden AB is accredited by SWEDAC to perform audits and certifications of management systems according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, and ISO 13485.
Svensk Certifiering Norden AB is accredited by SWEDAC for personnel certification according to the specification Authorized Fire Alarm Engineer SBF 1007:5.
