Quality CertificationYour Pathway to ISO 9001 Success
Achieving ISO 9001 certification demonstrates to clients, partners, and regulators that your systems are structured, consistent, and continually improving. MSCGlobal provides certification audits from initial assessment through surveillance and recertification.
What Is Quality Certification?
Quality Certification is formal recognition from an accredited body that your Quality Management System (QMS) meets ISO 9001:2015 requirements. In Australia, certification bodies must be accredited under JAS-ANZ to ensure international credibility.
QMS conformance
Verify your Quality Management System meets every clause of ISO 9001:2015.
Effectiveness evidence
Assess records and operations that demonstrate your system works in practice.
Independent certification audits
Professional auditors assess documentation and operations before issuing the certificate.
Ongoing surveillance
Annual surveillance audits verify sustained compliance and continual improvement.
Preparing for certification? Review our certification process and ISO 9001 Documents requirements.
The ISO 9001 Certification Audit Process
Certification follows three structured audit stages.
Stage 1
Application & Stage 1 audit
Submit certification application and undergo Stage 1 documentation review. Auditors verify your documented QMS meets ISO 9001 requirements.
Certification process details explain this stage.
Stage 2
Stage 2 implementation audit
On-site audit verifies your QMS operates consistently across all functions. Auditors assess processes, interview staff, and review evidence.
Stage 3
Certification decision & issuance
Once non-conformities are addressed, your ISO 9001 Certificate is issued, valid for three years with annual surveillance.
Once both audit stages are passed, your organisation receives an ISO 9001 Certificate valid for three years.
Maintaining Your Certification
Certification requires ongoing compliance verification. Annual surveillance audits confirm maintained conformance, and a recertification audit occurs every three years to renew your certificate.
Annual surveillance audits
Verify ongoing compliance with ISO 9001 and QMS effectiveness.
QMS performance assessment
Evaluate quality objectives, KPIs, and continual improvement evidence.
Conformance verification
Assess procedural updates and changes to ensure continued ISO 9001 alignment.
Recertification audits
Comprehensive re-assessment every three years to renew certification.
Learn more about surveillance and recertification audits.
Typical Certification Timeframes
Actual durations depend on organisation size and complexity, but these benchmarks help with planning.
Implementation & preparation
2 – 6 months
Gap analysis, documentation, training, internal audits, and management review.
Stage 1 audit
1 – 2 days
Certification body reviews documented information for readiness.
Stage 2 audit
2 – 5 days
On-site verification through interviews, evidence review, and observation.
Certificate issued
1 – 2 weeks
Provided all non-conformities are closed out with evidence.
Most SMEs should budget $4,000 – $10,000 in external audit fees across the three-year certification cycle. MSCGlobal helps control costs by preparing efficiently and reducing audit-day stress.
Choosing a Certification Body
JAS-ANZ accreditation
Ensures international recognition and trust in your certificate.
Industry experience
Auditors familiar with your sector understand risks and expectations.
Transparent proposals
Clear scope, timelines, and fees avoid surprises later on.
Local presence
Nearby auditors reduce travel costs and simplify scheduling.
Value-added feedback
Constructive insights help you strengthen your QMS post-audit.
Long-term partnership
Consistency across 3-year cycles builds shared understanding.
MSCGlobal is a consulting partner, not a certification body. We help you select the right auditor and support you through each visit.
Benefits of ISO 9001 Certification
Market advantage
Meet tender requirements and open doors to new opportunities.
Credibility
Show clients and regulators that your processes meet international standards.
Structured governance
Clarify roles and accountability across teams and locations.
Operational consistency
Deliver predictable outcomes with fewer surprises.
Evidence-based improvement
Use data from audits and KPIs to drive continual improvement.
Client confidence
Build trust with existing customers and win new ones faster.
Discover how ISO 9001 drives operational results on our Quality Assurance page.
Getting Tender Ready
Many government and corporate clients require proof of certification or a compliant QMS before awarding contracts. MSCGlobal’s Tender Ready service aligns your documentation and policies to meet bid expectations even while you progress toward certification.
| Tender Expectation | How MSCGlobal Helps |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate compliance | Prepare evidence packs, policy statements, and summary reports aligned to ISO 9001 clauses. |
| Show progress | Provide implementation roadmaps and planned certification timelines. |
| Meet documentation criteria | Supply controlled documents, registers, and assurance statements for tender submissions. |
Explore our Tender Ready support to respond confidently while audits are in progress.
Our Certification Audit Services
Initial certification audits
Stage 1 documentation review and Stage 2 implementation audits to verify ISO 9001 conformance.
Surveillance audits
Annual audits to verify ongoing compliance, effectiveness, and continual improvement.
Recertification audits
Comprehensive re-assessment every three years to renew your ISO 9001 certificate.
Multi-site certification
Coordinated audits across multiple locations to assess QMS consistency and effectiveness.
Transfer certifications
Transfer your existing ISO 9001 certificate from another certification body.
Integrated audits
Combine ISO 9001 with other standards (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001) for efficiency.
Need to transfer from another certification body? Contact us for a seamless transition.
Ready to Get Certified?
Whether you're seeking initial ISO 9001 certification, surveillance audits, or recertification, MSCGlobal provides professional certification audits that verify your QMS meets international standards.
Contact us today to begin your certification audit with confidence.