ISO certification cost for small businesses

Kudos to you for following your heart and starting your business. In this world, where no one dares to follow their dream, you have shown the courage to dream big for yourself and for your business. After acquiring ISO certification, you will be at par with international standards and the giants of your industry. You will no longer be a “small business.”

In this article, we will discuss why ISO certification is beneficial for your small business, the certification process and the ISO certification cost for small businesses.

What is ISO certification for small business?

Think of ISO certification as a stamp of approval from an accredited third party body. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) creates these standards by combining the expert advice from technical analysts, financial analysts, consumers, union leaders, economists and industry-specific leaders. The purpose of creating these standards is to encourage standardisation in different industries, with respect to operations and products or service specifications.

The aim of standardisation is to enhance safety, so that the end product that is consumed is efficient, functional, safe and sustainable.

Although, the primary aim was to protect the clients, ISO certification helps any organisation that implements the recommended management system and acquires the certification by showcasing the world that their operations are standardised and at par with international standards.

This becomes extremely advantageous, especially for small businesses, as small businesses are generally new in the industry and do not have the appropriate experience to win the hearts of new clients. By using ISO consulting services, you can benefit from these features for your small business.

Whenever a prospective client sees the ISO logo, they understand that the business maybe new, but their products or services would be of good quality, functional and safe.

Which ISO certification should I choose for small business?

ISO has published more than 20,000 standards, where each standard focuses on a different industrial sector. So, for example, if you are in the food supply chain, ISO 22000 will help you standardise your operations and deliver food items that are safe, hygienic and uncontaminated. To learn more about ISO standards, we suggest you read the types of ISO certificates.

However, there are some popular standards that are generalised enough to be applicable to organisations of any size, any sector or any level of complexity. These include:

• ISO 9001: This standard focuses on improving the quality and consistency of your products and services.
• ISO 14001: This standard focuses on improving your environmental performance, helping to enhance your brand credibility in the eyes of environmentally conscious consumers.
• ISO 45001: This standard focuses on improving the safety of your workplace, thereby reducing any accidents, illnesses or fatalities.
• ISO 27001: This standard focuses on enhancing your cyber-security, protecting you from unwanted threats, data breaches or misuse of information.

Do we need ISO consulting to get ISO certification?

Therefore, there is no generalised answer to which certification is the most suitable for you. To answer your question, it would be extremely helpful to get a consultation with an ISO consultant like the ISO Council. We understand that hiring an ISO consultant may seem as an unnecessary expense, but their experience will help you understand which ISO certification is the most suitable for the unique circumstances of your business.

Moreover, an ISO consultant will understand which certification will bring the most benefit to you. For example, with ISO 9001 consulting, it helps you plan more accurately and achieve your desired result with less cost and time. Their specialisation in your field of practice will allow them to understand the exact needs of your target audience. As an entrepreneur or a business owner, you do not possess this type of knowledge, and hence, engaging with an ISO consultant will be critical to your success.

What is the ISO consultancy procedure?

The ISO consultant will sit with you and understand how you operate your business, why you started it and what are your objectives. Based on this discussion, he or she will provide valuable insights about how ISO certification can further your business growth.

After this discussion, the ISO consultant will observe your processes and interview different process owners to understand the deficiencies in your operations. To further his/her diagnosis, he or she will conduct a gap analysis to identify the areas that are not compliant. You can take advantage of these benefits by using ISO consulting for small businesses.

Finally, the ISO consultant will help to plan, implement, troubleshoot, monitor, evaluate and modify your management system according to the requirements of the chosen ISO standard, so that you can clear the external certification audit and obtain your certification.

How much is ISO certification cost for small businesses?

There is no universal answer to this question. The price is variable and depends upon the sector, size and complexity of your organisation. This is because larger organisations require more time and effort during the assessment. Having said that, if your organisation is small to medium-sized with less than 100 employees and has a single site, the cost of ISO certification should not be more than $15,000 per year.

Conclusion

The biggest requirement for any small business is to win the trust of potential clients. ISO certification bridges this gap and enhances customer trust by proving to the world that your operations are standardised and your products or services are of high-quality. Engaging with an ISO consultant is a great investment as they provide you with the strategic guidance to clear your external audits and obtain your certification.