Many companies that achieve ISO certification may feel it marks the end of a long journey of a long journey in building a management system that meets international standards. However, a frequently asked question is: is ISO certification valid forever?

ISO Certificate Validity Period

ISO certificates are generally valid for three years, after which they become invalid. Businesses or organizations need to renew and reassess. Although valid for three years, some expire annually due to the more dynamic nature of the field.

You can check the details of the ISO certification validity period as follows:

• ISO 9001: 2015 certificate is valid for 3 years
• ISO 27001: 2013 certificate is valid for 3 years
• ISO 45001:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years
• ISO 14001:2015 certificate is valid for 3 years
• ISO 22000:2018 certificate is valid for 3 years
• ISO 37001:2016 certificate is valid for 3 years

Note: This certification is considered general and is most frequently required by businesses in various sectors. Re-audits are conducted every six months or annually to ensure ISO implementation is running smoothly and in accordance with existing standards.

It’s understandable that most ISO certificates are valid for three years, but they can be suspended if system implementation errors or other issues are discovered. To date, no ISO certification is valid forever, as the conditions of a business or organization are inherently dynamic and constantly changing.

So, what’s the purpose of reassessment? At first, it may seem unnecessary, but in fact

There’s a crucial reason behind the re-audit or reassessment process: to prove the company’s eligibility for ISO certification. Furthermore, it’s related to the effectiveness of your company’s standardization practices.

Why ISO Certificates Are Not Permanently Valid?

There are several reasons why ISO certificates have an expiration date:

• Changes to International Standards:
  ISO standards are continually updated to reflect technological developments, industry needs, and global best practices. With each expiration date, organizations are required to continually adapt their management systems.
• Maintaining Consistent Implementation
  Certification is not merely a formality, but rather proof that a company is truly implementing management standards. With regular audits (annual surveillance audits), the consistency and sustainability of ISO implementation can be assured.
• Preventing Certificates from “Expiring.”
  If ISO certifications were valid forever, there was a risk that companies would stop pursuing continuous improvement . Yet, ISO’s core philosophy is to maintain quality and continuously improve performance.

Is the Validity Period of an ISO Certificate the Same for Companies and Organizations?

In general, the requirements are the same. We’ll give the example of the most common ISO 9001 certification, which relates to quality management. This certification can be held by industrial companies such as manufacturing, FMCG, textiles, and so on. However, non-business organizations such as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Training Center (Pusdiklat), the BPKSDM (Regional Asset Management Agency), and even educational institutions like universities and others can also receive ISO 9001 certification.

The validity period of an ISO certificate is determined by a business or organization’s ability to implement new standards and maintain existing systems. Therefore, both are dynamic.

For example, a government organization’s performance is expected to consistently be excellent, but there are times when evaluation and improvement are necessary. This is why ISO certifications must be audited and re-inspected every six months or annually.

Guide to Maintaining ISO Ownership

Want to maintain your ISO certification? Don’t let your certification be suspended for failing to comply with the consultant’s recommended standards. Follow these steps to prevent premature revocation of your ISO certification.

• Check awareness or awareness regarding ISO implementation of workers and staff at least once a month.
• Carry out evaluations in stages, don’t be easily satisfied with the achievements of ISO implementation that has been carried out.
• Build good communication with consultants, ask for tips and directions from them even though the ISO processing has been completed.

Completing ISO management is just the beginning, the real challenge is maintaining how your business or organization is able to implement existing standards consistently and optimally over time until the re-audit process is carried out.

Conclusion

Check employee awareness of ISO implementation. They are generally valid for only three years, with periodic audits every six months or once a year. This ensures that companies maintain quality and consistency, and continuously improve in accordance with international standards. By understanding this, companies can be better prepared to maintain their ISO certification, not just to gain recognition but also to truly implement a superior and highly competitive management system.

If you are experiencing difficulties in extending your ISO or preparing for reassessment of expired certification, you can contact us directly.

We handle various ISO processes and serve as certification teams in various cities.

For more information or assistance with ISO certification, contact us at:

• Call Center: 083191312000

• Email: marketing@isospace.id

• Contact: Kristina Saragi, 081268161778, kristina@isospace.id