The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Organization for Standardization

(ISO) support the following concise statement of outcomes that are to be expected as a result of

accredited certification to ISO 9001. The intent is to promote a common focus throughout the

entire conformity assessment chain in order to achieve these expected outcomes and thereby

enhance the value and relevance of accredited certification.

ISO 9001 certification is frequently used in both private and public sectors to increase confidence

in the products and services provided by organizations, between partners in business-to-business

relations, in the selection of suppliers in supply chains and in the right to tender for procurement

contracts.

ISO is the developer and publisher of ISO 9001, but does not itself carry out auditing and

certification. These services are performed independently of ISO by certification bodies. ISO does

not control such bodies, but does develop voluntary International Standards to encourage good

practice in their activities on a worldwide basis. For example, ISO/IEC 17021 specifies the

requirements for bodies providing auditing and certification of management systems.

One option for certification bodies wishing to provide further confidence in their services is to apply

to be accredited as competent by an IAF recognized national accreditation body. The IAF is an

international association whose membership includes the national accreditation bodies of 49

economies. ISO does not control such bodies, but does develop voluntary International Standards

such as ISO/IEC 17011 which specifies the general requirements for carrying out accreditation.

NOTE: Accredited certification is only one way that an organization may demonstrate conformity to ISO 9001.

 ISO does not promote accredited certification over other conformity assessment methodologies