How long does it take to achieve ISO Certification?

If you are considering leveraging the full benefits of ISO certification, you might wonder how long you need to achieve and maintain it. Many businesses fail to get ISO certified because they fear the process will take a long time. Although it may involve lengthy consultations, it is possible to avoid delays and have your business certified within a short time.

How long does ISO certification take?

Generally, ISO Certification may take between 3-6 months, depending on the complexity and size of the business and the ISO standard. For instance, companies with less than ten employees can take up to 3 months to achieve an ISO 9001 Quality Management System certification. ISO certification for large organisations may take up to one year.

The timeframe to achieve ISO certification can vary depending on your organisation’s size, structure, and existing management systems:

• Small organisations (under 25 employees): typically 3 to 4 months, as the processes and documentation are easier to manage.
• Medium-sized organisations (25–250 employees): usually 6 to 9 months, since there are more departments, systems, and controls to align.
• Large or complex organisations (250+ employees or multiple sites): often 9 to 12 months, allowing time for internal audits, management reviews, and process adjustments across different teams.

What affects ISO certification timelines?

The time it takes to achieve ISO certification depends on many factors. These include your organisation’s size and complexity, the ISO standard you are pursuing, and how established your management systems are. Well-prepared documentation and engaged staff can also shorten the process. Understanding these factors early helps you plan more effectively and avoid unnecessary delays.

What steps are involved in achieving ISO certification?

Even with an expert guiding you through the process, you must create time for a few things. First, a consultant will spend a few days with you. The consultation can be done remotely or onsite. Once this is complete, the consultant will schedule a management review. The certification body will put together the relevant documented procedures and policies.

The consultant will then conduct a document review. It is essential to be part of this process. Later, an external auditor will evaluate your systems and processes to check compliance. The definition of the ISO implementation and gap analysis can help you estimate how long it will take to achieve ISO certification.

How to speed up the implementation

Management support can help ensure the implementation is as fast as possible. When you have this form of support, roadblocks are eliminated more quickly. Besides, if you have another standard in place, such as the environmental management system standard, you will notice that the time taken for implementation is reduced.

When determining the duration of your ISO 9001 implementation, you may need to:

• Figure out what needs to be done
• Understand what the implementation process entails
• Hire a project manager
• Confirm whether you need external help

Should you rush the ISO certification process?

While you may need the certification as fast as possible, it is advisable not to underestimate the importance of the process. It is also essential to conduct internal audits to ensure you comply with the standard’s requirements.

It would help if you targeted a robust management system rather than rushing to get the certificate. If you have an existing system, it is advisable to focus on improving it. This can help avoid disillusionment.