How long does it take to get ISO 9001 certified?

Before you decide that ISO 9001 certification is right for your business, there are a number of factors you need to consider. One of the primary considerations is how long it takes to get ISO 9001 certified.

ISO 9001 certification duration

Getting certified will depend on a variety of components but perhaps the most determinant factors are the size of your business and the complexity of the audit. A general estimation based on the clients we have certified, are as follows:

• Small businesses: 50 employees = 6-8 months
• Medium sized business: Up to 500 employees = 8-12 months
• Large businesses: 500+ employees = 12-15 months

However, it is important to keep in mind that these estimated time periods don’t include the phase prior to audit where the accumulation of records is required. This is because different organisations have individualised time frames which fit their auditing system, so it is worth contacting IMSM for a more precise figure.

Time management responsibility

Appoint an internal or external consultant with experience of implementing quality management systems to be your project manager. Additionally, senior management will be instrumental in helping speed up the certification process as they can generally alleviate problems more efficiently.

How to calculate time

Gap analyses are the best place to start as they will help you identify any overlap (or lack thereof) between existing ISO certifications and ISO 9001. Existing ISO systems will have established procedures within your organisation. Many of these will have overlap, reducing ISO 9001 implementation times and helping you outline what procedures you need to close the gap.

If you don’t already have a quality management system in place, you can still compare and contrast. Identify individual steps you need to follow and annotate them with an allowed budget and an estimated completion time. Make sure to leave gaps for unexpected costs and challenges.

Finally, consult an auditor who will verify your processes and give you a more accurate idea of cost.

ISO 9001 certification will improve efficiencies at your workplace, standardising quality management which will lead to better customer satisfaction. It’s important that the procedure is not rushed and is given adequate time to be properly put into place.