With a myriad of standards released yearly, certification to management system standards is becoming increasingly important for an organization’s daily processes, reputation, and even new possibilities in the industry. Terms like compliance, certification, and accreditation are often used interchangeably in the industry. Although they are quite interconnected, they have some key differences.
Compliance refers to adhering to laws, regulations, standards, or internal policies that govern the actions of an organization or individual. Organizations can choose to implement any management system they deem appropriate. This does not imply that the organization needs to get certified against the standard. They can state that they apply the set standard, but in some cases, customers may request evidence proving the organization’s compliance with the standard. This is done through auditing. The process can be costly and time-consuming, so to streamline it, organizations can choose to get certified to a standard by a third party.
A certification attests that a product, service, or management system is compliant with the requirements set forth by a specific standard. To get certified, the organization has to undergo a third-party audit by a certification body. The certification depends on the scope audit (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 27001) and can only be obtained after a successful third-party audit.
Once obtained, it serves as proof of compliance and is recognized by other stakeholders without the need for separate audits, hence saving precious time and cutting financial costs, this is especially true if the certification comes from an accredited certification body. Different sectors may require ISO certification, particularly in areas like government contracting, environmental management, and information security, which adds even more value to the certification process.
No law or rule prevents any organization from calling itself a “certification body” and awarding certification. Accreditation is one of the main ways to differentiate trustworthy certification bodies from potential bad actors. It is conducted by an accreditation body, an authoritative organization that assesses the competence of a body to carry out a specific task.
This assessment is performed to verify compliance with standards such as ISO/IEC 17021, which specifies requirements for bodies that provide audits and certification of management systems, and ISO/IEC 17024, which specifies the requirements for bodies that offer certification services to persons. While non-accredited certification bodies do not necessarily provide poor service, it is much harder to verify their credibility, making accreditation the industry standard.
Accreditation is globally recognized through mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) and internal networks established by accreditation bodies. The two main global organizations that ensure global recognition through their international frameworks are the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). This ensures that certifications given by accredited certification bodies are recognized globally.
PECB helps professionals achieve international recognition through our accredited training courses that cover a wide range of fields from cybersecurity and data protection to social responsibility and environmental safety.
We provide globally recognized certifications for professionals, ensuring competence, credibility, and compliance with best international practices. With expert guidance, accredited processes, and continuous professional development, PECB helps you implement, manage, and maintain effective management systems that drive lasting improvement and trust.
While closely interconnected, compliance, certification, and accreditation are not interchangeable; each describes a different status. Organizations can choose to implement a standard to benefit and improve their processes without getting certified. Certification is the next step that serves as verifiable proof that an organization meets the requirements of a standard. In contrast, accreditation bodies, in simpler terms, are the “certifiers of certification bodies”.
About the Author
Albion Beqaj is a Content Editing Specialist in the PECB Marketing Department. He is responsible for evaluating the written material, ensuring its accuracy and suitability for the target audience, and ensuring that the material meets PECB standards. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at support@pecb.com.
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