ISO 9001 certification bodies in Malaysia
A certification body is the independent organisation that audits your quality management system and issues your ISO 9001 certificate. This guide explains how certification bodies work, how to check accreditation, and what to compare before you sign a quote.
Consultant vs certification body
ISO consultant
Helps you run a gap analysis, write the documentation, train your team and prepare for the audit. That is our role.
Certification body
Audits your QMS against ISO 9001 and decides whether to certify it. It cannot consult on the system it certifies, so the two roles stay separate.
Accreditation: why it matters
Accreditation is an independent check that a certification body is competent and impartial. In Malaysia, the national accreditation body is Standards Malaysia (Department of Standards Malaysia). Certification bodies operating here may also be accredited by other accreditation bodies that are members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), such as UKAS in the United Kingdom.
Before you choose, ask for the certification body's accreditation certificate and check that its scope covers ISO 9001 for your industry sector. Many accredited certificates can also be looked up on IAF CertSearch.
Certification bodies that issue ISO 9001 certificates in Malaysia
Examples of certification bodies with ISO 9001 activity in Malaysia include:
- SIRIM QAS International
- BSI
- SGS
- TÜV SÜD
- Bureau Veritas
- Intertek
- LRQA
- DNV
This list is not complete and is not an endorsement. Accreditation and sector scope differ between certification bodies, so check them for your own case.
The ISO 9001 audit cycle
- 1
Stage 1 audit
The auditor reviews your QMS documentation, scope and readiness, and confirms whether you are ready for Stage 2.
- 2
Stage 2 audit
The auditor checks on site that the QMS is implemented and effective. Any major nonconformities must be closed before a certification decision.
- 3
Certificate issued
After the certification body reviews the audit, it issues a certificate valid for three years.
- 4
Surveillance audits
Shorter audits at least once a year in years one and two, to confirm the QMS is still working.
- 5
Recertification audit
A full audit before the certificate expires, which starts a new three-year cycle.
See the full ISO 9001 certification process for the preparation steps before Stage 1.
How to choose a certification body
Accreditation, and its scope
Ask which accreditation body accredits the certification body for ISO 9001, and check that the accreditation scope covers your industry sector. A certificate from an unaccredited body may not be accepted by your customers.
Acceptance by your customers
Read your tender documents and customer supplier requirements. Some ask for a certificate from an accredited certification body, and a few name the accreditation they accept.
What the quote includes
Compare Stage 1 and Stage 2, both surveillance audits, recertification, auditor travel and any certificate or application fees. A low first-year price can hide higher surveillance fees.
Auditor availability and language
Ask about lead time for audit dates, whether auditors work in your state, and whether the audit can be run in English, Bahasa Malaysia or Chinese.
Sector experience
An auditor who knows your sector asks better questions and understands your processes, which makes the audit more useful.
Certification body fees are separate from consulting fees. See ISO 9001 cost in Malaysia for how the two fit together.
Frequently asked questions
Is SIRIM the only ISO 9001 certification body in Malaysia?
No. SIRIM QAS International is one well-known certification body, but several local and international certification bodies issue ISO 9001 certificates in Malaysia. What matters is that the certification body is accredited for your sector.
Can an ISO consultant issue my ISO 9001 certificate?
No. A consultant helps you build and prepare the QMS. Only a certification body can audit the QMS and issue the certificate. To stay impartial, a certification body must not provide consultancy on the management system it certifies.
How do I check whether an ISO 9001 certificate is accredited?
Check the accreditation mark and certificate number, then verify it with the certification body and its accreditation body. Standards Malaysia is the national accreditation body. Many accredited certificates can also be searched on IAF CertSearch.
How long is an ISO 9001 certificate valid?
Three years, with surveillance audits at least once a year in between. A recertification audit before expiry renews it for another three years.
Are certification body fees included in your consulting fee?
No. Certification body fees are quoted by the certification body and paid directly to it. We can help you request and compare quotes.
Not sure which certification body fits your company?
Tell us your industry, sites and customer requirements, and we will help you compare quotes.