ISO certifying bodies

ISO certifying bodies (also known as certification bodies or registrars) are independent organizations that are authorized to assess and certify that a company’s management system complies with ISO standards—such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, etc.

✅ Top ISO Certifying Bodies (Globally Recognized)
Here’s a list of some of the most trusted and widely recognized ISO certifying bodies worldwide:

Certifying Body Headquarters Notes
SGS Switzerland One of the largest, global reach, certifies across all major ISO standards.
Bureau Veritas France Global presence, strong in maritime, industrial, and quality certifications.
TÜV SÜD Germany Reputable for technical and engineering-related certifications.
TÜV Rheinland Germany Known for safety and technical system certifications.
DNV (Det Norske Veritas) Norway Strong in maritime, energy, and sustainability-related ISO standards.
BSI (British Standards Institution) UK One of the oldest and most respected standards organizations.
Intertek UK Strong presence in product and system certifications.
Lloyd’s Register (LRQA) UK Well-known in marine, industrial, and energy sectors.
DEKRA Germany Strong in automotive, safety, and quality certifications.
NSF International USA Especially strong in food safety (e.g., ISO 22000) and health standards.

🛡️ Accreditation of Certifying Bodies
Each certifying body should be accredited by a national accreditation body (to ensure it is competent and impartial). Examples of these:

UKAS – United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UK)

ANAB – ANSI National Accreditation Board (USA)

JAS-ANZ – Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand

DAkkS – Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (Germany)

You can check whether a certifying body is accredited by visiting the accreditation body’s website.

💡 Tips for Choosing an ISO Certifying Body:
Accreditation status: Ensure they are accredited by a reputable body.

Experience in your industry.

Reputation and recognition in your country or industry.

Audit approach and support: Consider how helpful and collaborative their auditors are.

Cost: Pricing varies significantly; request multiple quotes.