Choosing a certification body for your certification
A certification body (CB) is the independent party that audits your management system and issues the certificate. You choose the CB yourself. That choice partly determines how smoothly your audit goes and what you pay. On this page, you learn how to compare and choose a CB independently of the standard, whether you are going for ISO 9001, ISO 27001 or another standard.
The most important rule in advance: always choose a body accredited by the Raad voor Accreditatie (RvA, Dutch Accreditation Council) . Only then is your certificate recognised, including internationally. The RvA assesses CBs against the standard ISO/IEC 17021 and is linked through European and worldwide networks (EA and IAF ), so an RvA certificate is recognised everywhere.
What is a certification body?
A certification body is a company that carries out audits and issues certificates. It assesses whether your system meets the standard. A CB is therefore different from a consultant: the consultant helps you set up the system, the CB checks it independently.
This separation is deliberate. A CB may not advise you first and then audit you, because then it would be checking its own work. For example, an installation company gets guidance from consultant A and gets certified by CB B. This keeps the audit credible.
Checking accreditation with the RvA
Before you look any further, check whether the CB is accredited for your specific standard. A CB can be accredited for ISO 9001 but not for ISO 27001.
Go to the RvA database of all accredited bodies , search for the name of the CB, and check whether your standard is included in their scope.
A certificate from a non-accredited party carries less weight. Customers, clients and regulators often do not recognise it. Always check the accreditation yourself, and do not rely only on the CB’s website.
What to compare certification bodies on
Accreditation is the basic requirement. Within the group of accredited CBs, compare them on the following points. Ask about these specifically when you request a quote.
| Comparison point | Why it matters | Question to ask in the quote |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation for your standard | Only then is the certificate recognised | Are you on the RvA list for this standard? |
| Sector knowledge | An auditor who knows your sector asks sharper questions | How many customers in my sector do you certify? |
| Price structure | The day rate and number of audit days determine the final price | How many audit days do you estimate for my size? |
| Lead time and scheduling | Waiting times can put your deadline at risk | How quickly can you schedule the audit? |
| Auditor travel distance | Travel costs and travel time count towards the price | Does the auditor come from the region or from far away? |
| Combining standards | Saves audit days if you hold several standards | Can you audit several standards in one audit? |
Note the third point: a low day rate with many audit days can cost more than a high rate with few days. Compare the total quote, not the hourly rate alone. You can read more about this at ISO certification costs.
The major certification bodies in the Netherlands
Below are the best-known accredited CBs in the Netherlands. This is a neutral list in alphabetical order, not a ranking. Which one fits best depends on your standard, sector and region. Always check for each party whether your specific standard is in their RvA scope.
- BSI - British Standards Institution and certifier
- Bureau Veritas - French, broad range of standards
- DEKRA - German, strong in engineering and safety
- DNV - Norwegian, global coverage
- Kiwa - Dutch, strong in construction, healthcare and engineering
- Lloyd’s Register / LRQA - British, international recognition
- TÜV - German inspection organisations with a Dutch branch
Specific certifications sometimes have their own overviews. For AI management, you will find a worked comparison on the page certification bodies for ISO 42001.
Tips for requesting a quote
Request quotes from at least two to four CBs. Give every CB the same information, so you compare like with like.
Include the following in your request:
- The standard and the scope (which departments, locations and activities)
- Number of employees (FTE, full-time equivalents) and number of locations
- Existing certifications, for a possible combined audit
- Preferred audit period
Do not choose on price alone. An auditor who thinks along and knows your sector adds value: you learn from the audit and improve your system. That outweighs saving a few hundred euros.
Next step
Do you want to understand more precisely what accreditation involves and why it makes your certificate worth something? Read accreditation explained. Do you need to check a supplier’s or partner’s certificate for authenticity? Then read checking a certificate. Do you have a CB in mind? Then read how the initial audit works, so you go into the appointment well prepared. Or see what a process costs on ISO certification costs.