Icologiq Knowledge · Process
Certification Audit
A third-party audit performed by an independent certification body to assess a management system against specified certification requirements.
Also known as:
third-party certification audit, management system certification audit
At a glance
Type
Process
Topic
Audit
Applies to
Cross-industry
Current version
Status
Last reviewed
October 9, 2026
Definition
A certification audit is a third-party management-system audit performed by an independent certification body to assess whether an organization meets the requirements used for certification. Certification activity is governed by the applicable certification scheme and can include initial certification audits, periodic surveillance and recertification, with findings and evidence contributing to a separate certification decision.
Why it matters
Certification audits place sustained demands on document control, evidence availability, internal audit, management review and corrective-action follow-up. Treating certification as an audit cycle rather than a one-off event helps Quality teams keep evidence and actions current between visits, while maintaining a clear distinction between the organization's responsibility for conformity and the certification body's independent decision.
The certification body evaluates the management system against the applicable certification requirements before an initial certification decision is made. Scheme-specific stages and methods can apply.
Initial certification
•
Periodic Surveillance Audits maintain confidence that the certified management system continues to fulfil applicable requirements between initial certification and Recertification Audit.
Surveillance
•
A Recertification Audit reviews continuing conformity and effectiveness near the end of the certification cycle and provides evidence for a new certification decision.
Recertification
•
Certification schemes can provide for additional or special audits, for example in response to scope changes, significant concerns or other defined circumstances.
Special audits where applicable
•
Audit evidence and conclusions inform certification, but the certification decision remains the responsibility of the certification body and is separate from the organization's own responsibility for conformity.
Independent certification decision
•
Process explained
Where certification audits fit in the cycle
Management-system certification is a third-party conformity-assessment activity. The exact scheme determines the audit and decision process, but certification commonly involves an initial assessment followed by continuing surveillance and later recertification. Findings and corrective-action evidence can influence whether confidence in conformity is maintained.
An external audit conducted by an independent auditing organization, such as a certification body or, in some contexts, a regulatory or governmental authority.
Third-Party Audit
Process
· Audit
An audit conducted by a party outside the organization being audited, including second-party and independent third-party audits.
External Audit
Process
· Audit
A periodic certification audit performed after initial certification to maintain confidence that the management system continues to meet certification requirements.
Surveillance Audit
Process
· Audit
A periodic third-party audit used near the end of a certification cycle to evaluate continued conformity and support a new certification decision.
Recertification Audit
Process
· Audit
The requirements used as the reference against which objective evidence is compared during an audit.
Audit Criteria
Concept
· Audit
Records, statements of fact or other verifiable information that is relevant to the audit criteria and supports audit evaluation.
Audit Evidence
Concept
· Audit
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