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Why Are Some ISO Packages So Cheap and Others So Expensive?
The plain-English answer: it depends on what you’re buying, and most often whether the certificate is actually from a UKAS accredited certification body.
What’s inside a cheap “non-UKAS” ISO package?
- Non UKAS certification often looks similar on paper, but actually isn’t recognised by most professional buyers, government departments and framework agreements.
- Generic, minimal and templated documentation – essentially the same for a mushroom farmer, power station, construction company, manufacturing company or architect!
- Little support (you fill everything in yourself, and you are left on your own).
- Light or remote audits with no real stress testing of your systems.
What do you pay for with a quality ISO service?
- Proper scoping, system design, training, internal audits, audit readiness, all aimed at:
- Aligning your processes to your aims and objectives
- Improving your processes and practices
- Documenting your “best practice”
- Staying compliant
- Passing first time
- A UKAS accredited certification decision following robust Stage 1 / Stage 2 audits and surveillance over a 3 year cycle.
The real risks of going cheap
- Tender failure: professional buyers will always specify UKAS accredited certification; non UKAS certificates will be rejected.
- Contractual lock in: some non UKAS CBs lock you in for 10 years! (With a UKAS CB you can change for free at any point)
- Paying twice: recertifying with a UKAS body later, AFTER a complete redevelopment of the systems and processes and a full audit.
- Compliance gaps: non-UKAS box ticking systems fail to properly interrogate your systems and processes so they actually help you to improve them.
How to tell if a provider is credible
- Check UKAS: use “Find an Organisation” to confirm the certification body is UKAS accredited for your scope and standard.
- If the provider is offering to develop the documentation AND award the certificate or if they are asking for a 10-year commitment, it is almost certainly a non-UKAS provider. Beware!
- Look for audit transparency: clear Stage 1 / Stage 2 durations and surveillance/recert schedule.
Want to be sure?
Ask us, or if you already have a quote send it to us for checking before you commit.