Switching certification bodies and transferring a certificate

What a transfer is

A transfer means moving your existing, valid certification from one certification body to another, usually without starting again from the beginning. The receiving body decides whether it will accept the existing certification and what it needs to review first.

This page is general information. Rules and practice differ between certification bodies and accreditation arrangements, so confirm everything with both bodies.

Why organizations consider switching

• the current body no longer covers your scope or location
• a different body is accredited for what you do
• a customer or tender asks for a specific accreditation
• service, scheduling or fee reasons

Fees alone are rarely a good reason. Compare like with like, as described in certification cost.

What the receiving body usually looks at

Expect the new body to check some or all of the following before it accepts the certificate:

• that the certificate is currently valid and not suspended
• that the scope fits what the new body is accredited to certify
• recent audit reports and open findings
• records of complaints and corrective actions
• the dates of your next surveillance audit or recertification

The new body may carry out its own review, and sometimes an audit, before it issues its certificate.

What to prepare

• your current certificate and its scope statement
• your latest audit reports and any open corrective actions
• the date your certification cycle ends
• your contract terms with the current body, including notice periods

Ask both bodies

Ask the current body about notice and any obligations in your agreement. Ask the new body what it needs, how it treats your existing certification and what the process costs. Do not let a certificate lapse while you decide. A gap can affect customers and tenders. See ISO certification for tenders.

Check the new body

Check the accreditation of the receiving body for your scope before you commit. Accreditation check explains how, and how to choose a certification body covers further questions.

Where we fit

When you tell us you want a transfer, we pass the inquiry on to a suitable independent certification body, subject to your consent as described in how referrals work. We cannot decide whether a transfer will be accepted. That is a decision for the receiving certification body.

To understand the cycle you are moving within, read surveillance and recertification.