General
Q: What is IAF CertSearch?
Answer
IAF CertSearch is an online database containing the largest and most up-to-date collection of accredited management system certificates in the world. IAF CertSearch is a global database that allows users to verify the authenticity of management system certificates issued by certification bodies that are accredited by members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) who are IAF MLA signatories. The IAF is an association of accreditation bodies that establishes guidelines and procedures for the mutual recognition of accreditation to ensure the consistency and reliability of accredited certification worldwide.
The IAF CertSearch database contains information on accredited certificates for various management system standards, including ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety management), and many more. Users can search for certificates by the name of the organization, certificate number or other available identifiers.
The database provides information on the validity and status of the certificate, the standard and scheme, the scope of the certification, certified locations, the certification body that issued the certificate, the accreditation body that accredited the certification body. This information helps users to :
Verify the authenticity of a certificate and ensure that the organization has been audited and certified by an accredited certification body, and that certification is valid,
The certification body is accredited to issue certifications for that standard and;
The accreditation body is an IAF member and MLA signatory to ISO/IEC 17021-1 all in one place.
The data validation process from the three primary sources of information enables reliable authentication of each and every certificate in the database.
IAF CertSearch serves as a unifying platform for the entire global accredited conformity assessment industry focused on management system certification. The database simplifies the process of verifying certificates across supply chains and networks, enabling real-time verification of certificates from any economy in any language.
The mission of the database is to unify and simplify the accredited conformity assessment industry under a single worldwide database, creating value for all stakeholders by increasing the transparency, trust, and integrity of accredited conformity assessment for procurers, suppliers, governments, regulators, businesses, and consumers globally.
Q: How does it work?
Answer
IAF CertSearch is a tool that a user can use to validate the legitimacy of an accredited certification. Via the GUI (Graphical User Interface) the user will type in either the company name, certificate identification or other identifier into the search bar. If the user knows the company name, they will be directed to the company page where they can see all certifications that company holds. If they wish to validate an individual certificate they can click on the certificate where they can see the certificate details including Standard, Scope Status, Certification Body and Accreditation Body. In cases where they type in the certificate identification number into the search bar they will be taken directly to that certification page. This process can also be done in bulk via system integration i.e. to support corporations and regulators with large and complex supply chains.
The Certified Entity will have a profile page, as will the Accreditation Body and Certification Body. It is only possible to validate a certification if the Certified Entity is a known entity to the user i.e. by knowing the Certified Entity name, Identification number(s) or certificate identification number. No user is able to download or view a list of certifications issued by a Certification Body, all certification verification must be known entities. A public user will be able to search and validate up to 3 certifications per day and 30 verifications for free if they have created an account and identified themselves. Higher volume verification will be limited to the subscription type they have selected.
In order for the IAF CertSearch database to operate it needs to receive data from all stakeholders.
IAF provides data on IAF Accreditation Bodies and their Scopes;
Accreditation Bodies provide data on their Certification Bodies and their scopes; Certification Bodies provide data on the certified entities and their certifications.
IAF CertSearch will include a list of Accreditation Body members and active Certification Bodies.
Users can search for a Certification Body or Accreditation Body, view their profile and make contact via a contact form.
The database is primarily designed to validate individual certifications however it is also designed to support reliable market analytics for ABs, CBs and other industry stakeholders.
Q: How does the database help Users?
Answer
The database provides an efficient and reliable way to verify valid accredited certifications. It also enables users the ability to monitor certifications across their supply chain and receive alerts if the status of a certification they are monitoring changes, helping them to gain transparency and monitor risk across their supply chains.
Q: How can users access IAF CertSearch?
Answer
Users can create an account and validate certificates at the following website: www.iafcertsearch.org
Q: What is the difference between an accredited and non-accredited certification?
Answer
Accredited certifications are issued by certification bodies that have been accredited by an independent third-party accreditation body, typically government or semi government organizations. These accreditation bodies are themselves assessed and recognized by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). Accredited certification provides assurance that the certification body has been evaluated against international standards for competence, impartiality, and performance. As a result, accredited certifications are generally more widely recognized and accepted than non-accredited certifications.
Non-accredited certifications, on the other hand, are issued by certification bodies that have not been independently evaluated and accredited. While they may still be valid and reliable, there is no guarantee of their quality or consistency. For those reasons, accredited certifications are generally recommended for organizations that want to ensure their certifications are widely recognized and respected in the global marketplace.
Q: Why has the database been created?
Answer
Businesses and Governments are demanding greater transparency across organizations and supply chains. Accredited certifications make it possible for businesses and governments to develop compliant supply chains, however users need to know which supplier across their supply chain at any given time have valid certificates and what locations are certified. The industry was missing the digital solution to unify the conformity assessment industry. Given the size and complexity of the certification industry the ability to validate certifications and to find and trade with certified entities has been difficult. A unifying digital global technology solution for validation of accreditation and certification prevents misuse of accredited certification, protecting its value.
For the first time IAF CertSearch has made it possible to have representation of the entire accredited network including Accreditation Bodies, Accredited Certification Bodies coupled with the ability to validate individual certifications held by organizations certified by a certification body who is accredited by an IAF Accreditation Body member all in one place. This makes it extremely efficient for users to verify certification across large complex international supply chains.
The platform has been designed to be compliant with all international privacy and data regulations and structured to ensure that uploaded data remains secure and and used only for the intended purpose.
Q: What are the benefits of validation?
Answer
Prior to IAF CertSearch, those seeking to validate an accredited certification were limited with validation solutions. There was no central location where all accredited certifications could be validated. This allowed for misuse where organizations claim they have an accredited certification when in fact they don’t. Whilst some industry groups are fully supportive of accredited certification and mandate accredited certification they find it extremely difficult to implement such mandates as it is very difficult to validate accredited certifications across the globe.
Whilst industry and government are aware of standards and, in general, certification, a significant proportion are not aware of accredited certification and its benefits, nor are they aware of the difference between accredited certification and non-accredited certification. If organization trade with companies who have fraudulently claimed accredited certification or trade with companies who have a non-accredited certification which don’t meet the standard, this indirectly damages the reputation of accredited certification particularly if the industry users are not fully aware of the difference between accredited and non-accredited certification.
These validation and awareness challenges enables organizations to misuse the brand of accredited certification, for example:
Organizations who have held an accredited certification in the past continue to claim they hold an accredited certification despite it expiring. If this is possible, there can be little motivation to renew certifications. So IAF Certsearch allows users to set up ‘watch lists’ and ‘real-time-alerts’ on their suppliers certifications.
Some organizations fraudulently claim to hold an accredited certification when in fact they don’t or they produce counterfeit certification.
Organizations who hold a non-accredited certification but claim to their customers it is the same as an accredited certification.
Organizations who claim they meet the standard but don’t have an accredited certification to support it.
As a result of these challenges, all levels of the accredited network are impacted, affecting the intended value of accredited certifications. Creating a clear digital distinction via the IAF Database on what is accredited certification and how it can be validated will go a long way to motivating companies to obtain a legitimate accredited certification.
Q: How many ABs, CBs and Certified Entities will be in the database?
Answer
IAF CertSearch has the potential to contain information on all MLA signatory Accreditation Bodies, and approximately 2,500 Certification Bodies who have issued over approximately 2000,000 accredited certifications to well over 1 million organizations.
Q: What is the scope of the database?
Answer
The database covers accredited management systems certification. The focus is on delivering a successful database for management systems certifications. There is no intent or plan to cover other areas of certification at present such as product certification or certification of persons, this has been confirmed by the IAF Board and IAF Executive Committee.
Q: Does the database include non-accredited certification?
Q: What support is there from IAF stakeholders and the larger industry?
Answer
There is support from many levels of the accredited certification network, industry, government and regulators. Below is list of some organizations who have expressed support for the principle of a central database of accredited certification:
IATF – International Automotive Task Force
DOE – Department of Energy in the USA
UNIDO – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization
IEA – International Energy Agency
Natural Resources Canada
IAQG International Aerospace Quality Group
TIA – Telecommunications Industry Association
DTA – Dental Trade Alliance
AHWP – Global Harmonization Working Party
CONSIP – Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance organisation.
Clean Energy Ministerial
3M
AT&T
Gatan
Many of these have written formal letters of support. Please see here for further details https://www.iafcertsearch.org/letters-of-support
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