The Organisation's Certification Journey, Phase by Phase
Seven phases from first meeting to certificate and beyond. Six are services IBEC delivers; the seventh — the certification audit — belongs entirely to an independent certification body. We set it out here exactly as we set it out in every proposal: who does what, how long it takes, and what you receive.
- 0101IBEC serviceTypical duration: 1–2 weeks
Discovery & Gap Assessment
We define the scope, map your processes and assess every clause of the chosen standard against what exists today. You receive a gap report, a prioritised roadmap and a fixed-fee proposal.
What you receive- Scope and context statement
- Clause-by-clause gap report
- Implementation roadmap and budget
- 0202IBEC serviceTypical duration: 3–6 weeks
System Design & Documentation
We design the management system with your team: policy, objectives, process maps, risk and compliance registers, procedures and the records the standard requires — written for your organisation, not copied from a template.
What you receive- Management system manual and policy set
- Process maps, procedures and forms
- Risk, opportunity and compliance registers
- 0303IBEC serviceTypical duration: 4–10 weeks
Implementation & Workforce Training
The system goes live. We run awareness sessions for all staff and train your nominated internal auditors and implementers. Where personnel certification is wanted, those individuals can be enrolled through IBEC for examination by our independent Certification Partner.
What you receive- Roll-out plan and change communication
- Staff awareness training records
- Internal auditor and implementer training
- 0404IBEC serviceTypical duration: 2–3 weeks
Internal Audit & Management Review
A full internal audit cycle is completed, nonconformities are raised and closed through corrective action, and top management holds the first management review with the inputs and outputs the standard requires.
What you receive- Internal audit programme and reports
- Corrective action log
- Management review minutes
- 0505IBEC serviceTypical duration: 1 week
Pre-Certification Readiness Audit
An IBEC lead auditor conducts a full mock of the certification body's Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits. Remaining findings are closed, evidence is organised, and we help you select and book an independent certification body.
What you receive- Readiness audit report
- Evidence pack organised by clause
- Certification body selection and scheduling support
- 0606Independent certification bodyTypical duration: Set by the certification body
Certification Audit — Stage 1 & Stage 2
The independent certification body audits your documentation (Stage 1) and its implementation (Stage 2), makes the certification decision and issues the certificate in its own name. IBEC attends in support of your team and does not audit, decide or issue.
What you receive- Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit reports (issued by the certification body)
- Certification decision
- Certificate valid for a three-year cycle
- 0707IBEC serviceTypical duration: Years 1–3 and beyond
Surveillance & Continual Improvement
Certification is maintained through annual surveillance audits and a recertification audit in year three. IBEC supports you between audits with internal audits, refresher training and system updates when the standard or your business changes.
What you receive- Annual internal audit and management review support
- Surveillance audit preparation
- Recertification readiness in year three
Certification Is a Three-Year Cycle — Not a Single Event
Year 1: Certificate issued
The certification body issues the certificate after Stage 2. It is valid for three years, subject to passing surveillance audits.
Years 1 and 2: Surveillance
The certification body conducts a surveillance audit each year. IBEC prepares you with an internal audit and management review before each visit.
Year 3: Recertification
A full recertification audit by the certification body renews the certificate for another three years. IBEC runs a complete readiness audit beforehand.
Who Does What
| Activity | IBECSolutions & services | Certification BodyIndependent · audits & issues |
|---|---|---|
| Gap assessment, roadmap and proposal | ||
| Management system design and documentation | ||
| Implementation support and workforce training | ||
| Internal audit and management review facilitation | ||
| Pre-certification readiness audit | ||
| Certification body selection and audit scheduling | ||
| Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification audits | ||
| Certification decision and issue of the certificate | ||
| Annual surveillance and three-year recertification audits | ||
| Support between audits: internal audits, updates, refresher training |
We never issue the certificate
The certification decision and the certificate are the certification body's alone. If IBEC could certify its own work, the certificate would not deserve trust.
Your team leads
We build the system with your managers and staff, not instead of them, so it survives after we leave.
Fixed fee per phase
The proposal defines each phase's scope, deliverables and fee up front — no open-ended hours.
Ready to start Phase 01?
Request a proposal and we will schedule a scoping call within one business day.