The decision to hire a consultant should never be thought of lightly – a simple compliance exercise – this is a strategic business decision that will have implications on your organization’s credibility, operational efficiencies, and competitiveness in the long run.

A Comprehensive Check-list for Business Leaders

For many Singapore businesses – especially SMEs – the journey to ISO certification can feel overwhelming and complex. Many decisions and considerations to sort through in the technical realm, costs, and deciding which certification body to go with can lead to costly maind mistakes.

A respectable and qualified ISO consultant can guide your business through the process easily and effectively.They service the business to meet international standard statements, prepare and promote audits, and confirm that your certification will add value to your product and service in the local market and throughout the world.

To help you make wise decisions – here is a useful check-list.

1. Industry Expertise and Auditor Qualifications

The best ISO consultants don’t just know the standards, they know the industry. Manufacturing companies have a very different set of compliance issues than IT service providers and different challenges again from construction companies.

When considering a consultant, you want to ask:

• Their experience in your specific industry
• The qualifications of their lead auditors
• Whether they will be able to provide insight that is specific to you and your COMPLIANCE goals as opposed to generic compliance recommendations.

Expert consultants won’t be just pointing our compliance gaps, they will be able to advise you on possible operational efficiencies and improvements.

2. Proven History and Client References

Reputation matters. Do your homework and check the history of the consultant, their client reviews, and if possible, speak to previous clients. An established ISO consultant in Singapore should have no issue discussing their experience, a few success stories, and about clients that can vouch for them.

• Look for a partner that has:
• High rates of client satisfaction
• Experience with SMEs and larger organisations
• Experience successfully having clients certified

3. Transparent & Fair

The cost should reflect value not simply the cheapest option. It’s important to know what is included in your consultant’s quote.

A complete ISO consultancy engagement package generally includes the following:

• Gap analysis
• Documentation support
• Internal audit training
• Pre-certification review
• Assistance during external audits

Be wary of offers that look too cheap. Some suppliers will leave out vital items and then charge you to add them back in later.

4. Beyond Certification Support

A good ISO consultant will not disappear once you get your certificate.

They should also provide ongoing support such as:

• Regular updates to revisions of the ISO standard
• Refresher training for internal auditors
• Assistance with surveillance audits
• Support with continual improvement

ISO certification is not a one-time event it is an ongoing process. A long-term consultancy partner supports your business to comply and improve long into the future.