Identify who will issue the certificate
Ask for the full legal name of the certificate issuer and the standard against which it will assess your organisation. A trading name, a local representative and a certificate issuer can be different entities. Your contract should make their roles clear.
ISO develops standards; it does not certify organisations. A company's own ISO 9001 certificate also does not establish that it is accredited to certify other companies.
Verify the relevant accreditation scope
Where accredited certification is required, check the issuer on the accreditation body's public register and inspect the applicable scope. Match the legal name, standard and relevant activities. A logo copied into a proposal is not the same as a current register entry.
Accreditation and certification are distinct. Ask your customer or procurement team what acceptance conditions apply before buying a service. Recognition must be checked for the specific certificate and purpose.
Ask how the audit team is selected
The auditor needs competence relevant to the standard and the activities being assessed. Ask how that competence is established, how sites and shifts will be covered, and which language will be used for interviews and reports.
A useful proposal explains the scope, audit arrangements, findings process and decision process. It also identifies the route for complaints and appeals. These details let you assess the service beyond a certificate image.
Keep the comparison practical
Give each candidate the same application information and compare the full cycle, including surveillance and recertification. Ask about transfer arrangements and changes to scope. Obtain written confirmation of anything important to a tender or customer contract.
CORE issues certificates directly. Confirm service suitability and buyer-specific acceptance requirements with CORE for your application. A training booking has no advantage in a certification decision.
Your working checklist
Use this list when discussing your requirements. It helps organise questions and does not determine conformity or certification eligibility.
Sources and further reading
These sources explain relevant standards or professional pathways. Their inclusion does not imply accreditation, recognition or endorsement of CORE.