Independent certification is when an independent expert such as SAI Global assesses an organization’s products and production processes to check if they meet the relevant national and international standards.

This objective assessment effectively conveys to customers and other key stakeholders of an organization that they have been successful in meeting all of the requirements of an internationally recognised best practice approach.

At a time when governance and corporate responsibility are in the spotlight, objective assurance such as independent certification can be invaluable.

Increasingly, leading organizations in all sectors of the economy are selecting to do business with ISO 9001-certified organizations. As such, this commitment can result in a competitive advantage.

Management systems are flexible in their application, and certification can deliver a range of benefits depending on the nature of the system and business concerned. Some such benefits are:

• Public confirmation– that your organization can deliver a high level product and/or service, which instils trust and confidence in the supply chain that trading can continue smoothly.

• Commitment to shareholders– the organization is subject to rigorous audits to ensure compliance to standards and continuous improvement, which demonstrates that the organization is dedicated to best practice management.

• Market Recognition– receive the right to display SAI Global’s famous red ‘five-tick’ Standards Mark and be immediately recognised by your clients, consumers and other stakeholders.

• Effective Risk Management– independent audits ensure that management identifies and implements risk management strategies, which can reduce the likelihood of future liability claims.

• Reduced Expenses– documented procedures often reduce the level of waste and duplication of processes within an organization, which in turn may lead to increased profits.

• Market Entry– gaining certification often results in greater market opportunities, as ISO 9001 is recognised and often essential when selecting business partners worldwide.

• Enhanced Corporate Knowledge– directors receive a transparent and independent representation of how the organization is performing through the delivery of an objective audit report.

• Improved Employee Commitment– third party audits provide an opportunity to facilitate improvement ideas from the base of the organizational hierarchy through to the directors, which in turn boosts staff morale and reduces turnover of staff.