ISO 55001 certification: how to apply for a certificate

An ISO 55001 certificate shows that your asset management system meets the asset management standard , which ISO has published. You apply for it from an independent certification body. That body must be accredited by the Raad voor Accreditatie (RvA, Dutch Accreditation Council) . The ISO 55001 overview explains what the standard requires in substance.

A certificate is not a quality mark you obtain once and forget. It is valid for three years, and you keep it in place with interim checks. That is the core of this article. For the whole process from start to finish, see the step-by-step plan.

A certificate is valid for three years. After that you apply for recertification. In between, the certification body returns for a surveillance audit, the interim check that establishes whether your system still works.

How do you apply for an ISO 55001 certificate?

You start with yourself, not with the auditor. A certification body first wants to know whether your system is ready for an audit. The process broadly runs as follows:

Choose an accredited certification body

Look for a body that is accredited for ISO 55001. The RvA publishes a list of accredited bodies . Check there whether the accreditation covers ISO 55001. Kiwa has a page on ISO 55001 certification .

Request a quote

Send the size of your organisation, your assets and the boundaries of your system. The body uses this information to prepare a tailored quote. ISO 55001 prices are not fixed and vary between bodies. Ask for at least two quotes.

Carry out a preparatory check

Many bodies offer a pre-audit or gap analysis. This shows where your system does not yet comply. It is not an official audit, but it prevents expensive surprises.

Have the certification audit carried out

The auditor checks whether your system is correct on paper and whether you also work that way in practice. They look at documents, conversations with employees and evidence from practice, such as a completed risk assessment or a management review.

Resolve any nonconformities

After the audit you receive a report with findings. You resolve nonconformities with an action plan. Based on that, the certification body decides whether you receive the certificate.

Receive the certificate

The certificate states your organisation, the scope (which assets and processes it covers) and the expiry date. From that moment you may use it in your communication.

How long is an ISO 55001 certificate valid?

An ISO 55001 certificate is valid for three years. This is the usual cycle that certification bodies apply. In between, the bodies check whether your system continues to work. This is usually done once a year with a surveillance audit. The number and timing differ per body.

Fictional example: water company Noordveld received a certificate in March 2027. In 2028 and 2029 the body returns for a surveillance audit, usually in the same month. In spring 2030 Noordveld applies for recertification, so that the certificate does not lapse.

Ask your body which schedule it uses. This is stated in your contract and in the certification scheme.

If you do not deliver the findings of a surveillance audit on time, the body can suspend your certificate or eventually withdraw it. Check the deadlines in your own contract.

What is the difference between certification and a declaration of conformity?

With certification, an independent party checks your system. With a declaration of conformity, your organisation itself states that it meets the standard. No external auditor is involved.

You notice the difference in the trust others place in you. A client can require a certificate. An own declaration carries less weight, because no one has checked whether it is accurate. For internal purposes, a self-declaration may be enough. For clients, regulators and tenders, the certificate counts.

How do you verify an ISO 55001 certificate?

A certificate can be counterfeit or expired. Check it in three steps:

Ask the supplier or organisation for the certificate, with the certificate number.
Check the certification body on the RvA’s list of accredited bodies . If it is not on that list, the certificate does not count as accredited.
Ask the body whether the certificate is still valid and whether the scope is correct. You can do this via the body’s website or contact form.

Pay attention to the scope. A certificate applies to the assets and processes it lists. If it only lists the head office, the rest of your organisation is not certified.

What changes with the 2024 version?

Since 2024 the standard exists in a new version. Existing certificates based on the 2014 version must transition. Glocert expects that transition to be completed in 2027. Glocert does not give an exact date and refers to the certification bodies for the final deadline. So ask your own body what applies to your certificate. You can find more about the changes on the 2024 version.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for an ISO 55001 certificate myself without a consultant?

Yes. A consultant is not required. A preparatory check or a consultant can help you set up the system properly. The certification audit itself is always carried out by an independent body, not by your consultant.

What happens if my certificate expires?

It lapses. You then have to have an audit carried out again to regain it. For clients and contracting parties, this means you no longer have proof. So plan the recertification in good time, well before the expiry date.

Is an ISO 55001 certificate mandatory?

No, the standard itself is not mandatory. Clients can still require a certificate. Read the mandatory page to see what applies to your situation.