Many businesses proudly display their ISO certificate, believing it will help them win new contracts, especially with the UK Government, defence, and the MOD. Unfortunately, not every certificate does what people think it does. If your ISO certificate isn’t UKAS-accredited, it may not be recognised at all.
That’s the focus of this conversation between Simon Batchelar and Paul Everington. In this video, we explore the difference between an ISO certification that will open doors and a certificate that might leave you with a false sense of security.
Why businesses choose ISO certification
ISO 9001 is often seen as a signifier of quality and trustworthiness. It’s a way to demonstrate that your business has clear processes, consistency, and a commitment to improvement. Many companies seek certification to strengthen their credibility with new clients, particularly when bidding for high-value contracts in regulated industries.
But here’s the catch: not all certificates are created equal.
What is UKAS accreditation?
In the UK, certification must be issued by a body accredited by UKAS, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. UKAS is the government-appointed organisation that ensures certification bodies meet strict standards.
It's easy to identify, just look for the UKAS logo (shown opposite). Each approved issuer will have a unique 4-digit number under this logo, which you can verify on the UKAS website. In this example, the issuer is BSI, and their number is 0003.
Without UKAS accreditation, your ISO certificate may not be recognised by government departments, defence contracts, or large corporate buyers. On paper, you might think you are certified, but when it comes to tendering, your certificate won’t carry the weight you expect.
Spotting the problem
There are organisations that offer ISO certificates at a lower cost or with fewer checks. These might seem attractive at first, they are often faster, cheaper, and simpler. But if the certificate is not backed by UKAS, it won’t deliver the credibility you need.
In the video, Paul explains how to identify whether your certificate is accredited and what to look out for on the paperwork. This simple check could save your business from wasted time and money.
Now is the time to check
If you already have an ISO certificate, now is the time to review it. Check whether it is UKAS-accredited. If it isn’t, you can talk to Paul about getting the right certifications in place for your business needs.
Getting it right isn’t just about compliance. It’s about ensuring your business has the credibility and assurance needed to compete for government and defence contracts.