Got questions? We have answers! Here are some common questions we get from businesses new to ISO. If you don’t see your question here, just ask – we’re always happy to help.
Absolutely! Helping organisations with zero ISO experience is our specialty. We start from the very basics, explaining each requirement in plain English and not assuming you know any jargon. Think of us as your guide: we hold your hand every step of the way, from drafting your first policy to celebrating when you get certified.
In fact, 100% of our clients have achieved certification on their first attempt, even those who knew nothing about ISO at the start. We’ll train your team as we go, so you not only get the certificate but also truly understand how to maintain it. No prior knowledge needed – just a willingness to improve, and we’ll take care of the rest!
It’s quicker than you might think. Our typical project is around 3 months from kickoff to certification for one standard (e.g., ISO 9001), and that’s for an organisation starting from scratch.
We’ve streamlined the process into just five short meetings (mostly remote, with one on-site visit) where we gather info, provide templates, and implement the requirements together. After that, a certification body does an audit (usually a two-stage audit over a few days), and then you’re certified!
Some factors can tweak the timeline a bit, for instance, doing multiple ISO standards at once might take longer, or if your schedule requires spreading meetings out – but we always aim for a few months, not years. We know you want results fast, and our process is built for efficiency without cutting corners.
Correct – no hidden fees at all.
Our transparent fixed-price packages cover everything needed to get you certified. This includes: the full consulting service (all the meetings, documentation drafting, training, etc.), the certification audit fee (we arrange an independent UKAS-accredited certification body to audit you, and our price already includes their charges), and any travel costs for on-site visits. Even templates, checklists, and customer support are included. We hate surprises as much as you do, so we made our pricing simple: you get a quote up front, and that number won’t change.
For example, if we quote £5,000, that’s all you pay to achieve certification for, say, ISO 9001 – from start to finish. (The only exception might be if the project scope changes, but that would be discussed and agreed openly – no sneaky clauses.) Our clients find this fixed-fee approach gives them peace of mind because they can budget confidently and there’s zero risk of overspend.
It depends on your goals and industry, but here are some pointers:
ISO 9001 (Quality Management) is the most common and a great start for any business. It’s all about running your business effectively and keeping customers happy. If you’re looking to improve overall operations or need a certification for tenders, ISO 9001 is a safe bet.
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) is ideal if you want to manage environmental impact – either due to legal requirements or just wanting to be greener (and maybe save costs on energy/waste). Customers love to see this one nowadays, as everyone’s more eco-aware.
ISO 27001 (Information Security) is crucial if you handle sensitive data (client info, online services, etc.) or are in sectors like tech, finance, or healthcare. It’s becoming a must-have for showing you take cyber threats seriously.
ISO 45001 (Health & Safety) is great if you have significant safety risks (construction, manufacturing, etc.) or simply want to ensure your workplace is super safe and healthy. It demonstrates you put your people first.
Many companies start with one standard (often ISO 9001) and add others over time as needed. We can also implement two or more together as an Integrated Management System to save time (there’s overlap between them, so it’s efficient to combine). During our initial consultation, we’ll discuss your business and help identify which standard(s) align with your needs. No need to guess – we’ll guide you to the right choice.
Yes, indeed!
We serve clients all across the Midlands and Southern England, and even beyond. Thanks to our remote-friendly process, we can work with you efficiently via calls and email, no matter where you are. We do typically include at least one on-site visit to really understand your business (and frankly, it’s nice to meet in person if possible!), but we plan it smartly. Whether you’re in London, the South Coast, or the middle of rural Oxfordshire, we make it work. Our fixed price already factors in any travel that might be needed, so you’re not paying extra for being farther away. We’ve successfully helped clients from Kent to Cornwall and everywhere between. In short: don’t let location be a worry – if you’re in the UK, we can likely serve you just as well as if you were next door.
In truth, none of our clients have ever failed – we work hard to keep that 100% success streak.
Our approach is to only put you forward for the audit when we’re confident you’re ready. We conduct internal checks (like a mock audit or document review) beforehand to catch any issues.
However, in the unlikely event something didn’t go perfectly, here’s what would happen: the auditor might issue a “non-conformity” (basically a finding that something needs fixing). You’d get a chance to address it (usually 30-90 days). We would jump in to help you fix the issue immediately at no extra cost. Once fixed, you’d get certified as planned. And if it were a bigger issue requiring a second audit visit, we take responsibility for that too (again, at our cost, not yours).
So, while failing outright is extremely unlikely, even if hiccups occur, we’ve got your back until that certificate is in your hands.
Not with our approach. We know small businesses dread unnecessary paperwork.
The ISO standards do require some documented information, but we keep it lean and meaningful. If a procedure doesn’t add value to your operations, we won’t create it just for show.
We tailor the system to your size: a 5-person company’s ISO documents might just be a slim folder or a few digital files – and that’s okay! We use templates and digital tools to simplify tasks like record-keeping. Plus, we train you on how to maintain the system efficiently.
Many of our clients are pleasantly surprised that after certification, running the ISO system fits naturally into their weekly routines – it might be an hour a week of checking a few things, not a mountain of forms. Remember, the goal of ISO is to improve your business, not burden it. We make sure that every piece of documentation actually serves a purpose (like helping you stay consistent or comply with legal stuff), and we avoid anything that doesn’t. So, no, you won’t be drowning in paperwork – we promise.