Why Organisations Transfer ISO Certification: 2023-2024 Analysis.

Our Certification Management Team often receives enquiries from organisations considering transferring their ISO certification from one certification body to another. 

Recently, we analysed the last 12-months of data from our help desk to understand the common reasons why companies decide to make this switch.

Common Reasons for Transferring ISO Certification in 2023-2024

Based on the data from recent queries, there are four primary reasons organisations seek to transfer their certification:

Accreditation Issues (46%)

Nearly half of the reasons were related to concerns about accreditation. Whether it’s a loss of accreditation, concerns about a CB’s reputation, or issues in meeting specific accreditation requirements, this is a significant driver for organisations looking to change certification bodies.

Poor Service (23%)

Poor service from a certification body accounted for 23% of the cases. Clients often cite unresponsiveness, lack of technical support, or inadequate audit processes as reasons for dissatisfaction. Certification is not just about receiving a certificate; the ongoing relationship between the organisation and the certification body is vital.

Pricing (23%)

The cost of certification services is another common factor in decisions to transfer a certificate. Organisations often seek more competitive rates, which can increase over time if they remain with the same provider. 

Change of Scope (8%)

A less common reasons is where organisations needed to modify the scope of their certification, such as including new business activities or locations. If the existing CB was not equipped to handle this, a transfer to another provider is required.

The Impact of Certification Body Selection

Choosing the right certification body is not a one-time decision. As businesses grow and industries evolve, organisations may find that their initial choice of CB no longer meets their needs. Transferring certification can seem daunting, but it can also bring significant benefits, such as improved service levels, more relevant expertise, or better pricing.

How Our Certification Management Team Can Help

If you are considering transferring your ISO certification, our Certification Management Team is here to guide you through the process. We provide end-to-end support, including:

Advising the market: We help identify the most appropriate certification bodies based on your specific needs and industry.

Obtaining comparative quotes: We will gather pricing from multiple certification bodies, ensuring you receive a fair and competitive offer.

Preparing your management system for transfer: Our team will review your current management system and ensure it is ready for a smooth transition to a new CB.


Note: Our Certification Management Team conducted the same analysis in 2022-2023.  Read the results here:  Why do Organisations change ISO Certification Body? (Research Jan-Aug 2023) 

Whether you’re facing accreditation issues, poor service, or simply looking for better value, we can help make the transfer process as seamless as possible.