Before applying for ISO certification, a company needs to make sure a few baseline requirements are met. These aren’t just administrative formalities — without adequate preparation, the Stage 1 audit is likely to surface many findings that slow the process down.
Legal and institutional standing
The company must have a valid legal entity (e.g. a limited liability company) along with business licenses relevant to its field of operation. This legal documentation defines the certification scope that will appear on the certificate.
A management system that is already running
ISO standards require the management system to be implemented, not merely documented on paper. Certification bodies typically ask for evidence of implementation over at least several months, including internal audit records and management review, before a Stage 1 audit is scheduled.
Required documentation
Commonly requested documents include:
- Quality policy and objectives (or OHS/environmental, depending on the target standard).
- Procedures and work instructions for core processes.
- Internal audit records and management review records.
- A risk and opportunity register.
Appointing a management representative
The company needs to appoint a management representative who serves as the main point of contact during the audit process and ensures follow-up on any nonconformities.
Once these baseline requirements are met, the next step is understanding the stages of a certification audit in more detail.