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Quality Management System Certification
ISO 9001:2015 Certification in the UAE
Accredited ISO 9001 certification that demonstrates to clients, tender committees and regulators that your organisation consistently meets customer and regulatory requirements.
- Accredited by EGAC
- Quotation within one business day
- Audits in Arabic or English
Member of Dubai SME
- Certificate validity, with annual surveillance audits
- 3 years
- Initial certification audit: Stage 1 and Stage 2
- 2 stages
- Accreditation body, signatory to the IAF MLA
- EGAC
- From single-site businesses to multi-site groups
- Any size
ISO/IEC17021-1Management systemsAccredited
Accreditation
Accredited by EGAC, the Egyptian Accreditation Council
Management System Certification · ISO/IEC 17021-1
ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22000, ISO 50001 and ISO 21001, audited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and the applicable sector rules: ISO/IEC 17021-2, ISO/IEC 17021-3, ISO/IEC 17021-10, ISO 22003-1, ISO 50003 and ISO/IEC 27006-1.
Accreditation details
Schedule number to be added
Overview
What is ISO 9001:2015?
ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems. It specifies the requirements for an organisation to plan, operate, monitor and improve its processes so that products and services consistently meet customer requirements and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
The standard does not prescribe how a business should operate. It requires the organisation to understand its context and interested parties, define its processes, address risks and opportunities, measure performance and pursue continual improvement. Certification is the independent confirmation, by an accredited body, that the system conforms to these requirements and is effectively implemented.
Accredited certification is independent evidence that your management system conforms to the standard and is effective in practice.
Based on the seven quality management principles
- 01Customer focus
- 02Leadership
- 03Engagement of people
- 04Process approach
- 05Improvement
- 06Evidence-based decision making
- 07Relationship management
Benefits
The value of ISO 9001 certification
The outcomes organisations most commonly seek from certification.
- Market accessMeet tender and prequalification requirementsGovernment, semi-government and major private buyers in the UAE commonly require ISO 9001 certification at prequalification.
- ConfidenceEarn the confidence of clientsAccredited certification gives new and existing clients independent assurance that quality is planned, controlled and reviewed.
- PerformanceReduce errors and reworkDefined processes, responsibilities and controls reduce nonconformities, complaints and the cost of correcting them.
- GrowthGrow with consistencyA documented and audited system allows new teams, branches and partners to deliver to the same standard.
Applicability
Who ISO 9001 is for
The standard applies to organisations of any size and sector. Certification is particularly valuable if you:
- Bid for government, semi-government or corporate contracts
- Supply clients who approve and audit their suppliers
- Are expanding, opening new sites or entering new markets
- Want to reduce complaints and improve customer retention
Readiness self-assessment
How ready are you for ISO 9001?
Answer six questions to assess your readiness for the certification audit.
- Our main processes and their interactions are defined
- We have a quality policy and measurable quality objectives
- We monitor customer satisfaction and handle complaints
- We evaluate and monitor our external providers
- We have completed a full internal audit cycle
- Top management has conducted a management review
Questions left:
Ready for the certification audit
Your system covers the elements auditors examine first. The next step is to request a quotation and schedule the Stage 1 audit.
Request a QuotationApproaching readiness
You have a sound basis. Complete the open points and build records of operation, then request a quotation and a proposed timeline.
Request a Quotation and TimelineEarly stage
Your system is at an early stage. An advisor can explain the certification process and a realistic timeline.
Speak to an AdvisorRequirements
What the standard requires
The requirements are set out in clauses 4 to 10, following the Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle. Auditors will expect to see the following documented information.
Key documented information
- Scope of the quality management system
- Quality policy and quality objectives
- Evidence of the competence of personnel
- Monitoring and measuring resources, where applicable
- Evaluation of external providers
- Internal audit programme and results
- Management review outputs
- Nonconformities and corrective actions
Process
The path to ISO 9001 certification
Each stage is planned and confirmed with you in advance.
- Step 01
Application and quotation
You provide details of your scope, personnel and sites. We determine the audit time and issue a fixed quotation and certification agreement.
You: complete a short application. We: respond within one business day.
- Step 02
Stage 1 audit
The audit team reviews your documented information, site conditions and readiness, and confirms the plan for Stage 2.
You: provide your documentation. We: report any areas of concern.
- Step 03
Stage 2 audit
The audit team evaluates on site how effectively the management system is implemented.
You: host the audit. We: present findings at the closing meeting.
- Step 04
Certification decision
A competent reviewer, independent of the audit team, reviews the audit and makes the certification decision.
You: address any nonconformities. We: issue your certificate.
- Year 1Initial certification audit and certificate issued
- Years 2 and 3Annual surveillance audits maintain certification
- End of year 3Recertification audit renews the certificate for a new cycle
Cost
What does ISO 9001 certification cost?
The fee is determined mainly by audit time, which is calculated in accordance with IAF MD 5 from the number of personnel, the number of sites and the complexity of your activities. This approach keeps fees consistent and comparable.
- Number of personnelThe principal factor in determining audit days.
- Number of sitesAdditional sites may require sampling or separate visits.
- Scope and complexityDesign, high-risk or regulated activities increase audit time.
- Integrated systemsAn integrated audit of several standards can reduce total audit time.
Fixed quotation
The full cost of the cycle, confirmed before you commit
Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits. Issue of the certificate. Two annual surveillance audits. No undisclosed charges.
Request a Fixed QuotationIntegration
Combine standards in one audit programme
ISO 9001 follows the harmonised structure of ISO management system standards, so it can be audited together with other standards.
- ISO 14001:2015Environmental Management SystemAccredited ISO 14001 certification that demonstrates to clients, regulators and investors that you manage your environmental aspects, compliance obligations and performance through an audited system.Learn more
- ISO 45001:2018Occupational Health and Safety Management SystemAccredited ISO 45001 certification that demonstrates your commitment to preventing work-related injury and ill health and to providing safe and healthy workplaces.Learn more
- IntegratedIntegrated management systemCertify ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, or any combination of our accredited standards, through one audit team, one audit programme and one aligned certification cycle.Learn more
Already certified?
Transfer your ISO 9001 certificate to GQCL
A valid accredited certificate held with another certification body can be transferred to GQCL after a pre-transfer review, in accordance with IAF MD 2, without restarting your certification cycle.
How Transfers Work
FAQ
Questions about ISO 9001
Does ISO 9001 apply to service organisations?
Yes. ISO 9001 applies to any organisation that provides products or services, regardless of size or sector, including consultancies, contractors, logistics providers, healthcare providers, technology companies and educational institutions.
Can any requirements of the standard be excluded?
A requirement may be determined as not applicable only where it cannot be applied within the scope of your management system, for example design and development where you do not design products or services. The justification must be documented, and it must not affect your ability to ensure the conformity of your products and services.
How long must the system operate before the certification audit?
There is no fixed period, but the system must be fully implemented and producing records. Auditors expect to see a complete internal audit and a management review before the Stage 2 audit, normally supported by around three months of operating records.
What happens if the auditor raises a major nonconformity?
Certification cannot be granted until a major nonconformity has been corrected and the correction verified, which may require a follow-up visit. Minor nonconformities require an accepted corrective action plan before the certification decision.
What does the new edition, ISO 9001:2026, mean for our certificate?
ISO 9001 has been revised, and the new edition is ISO 9001:2026. Certificates to ISO 9001:2015 remain valid throughout the transition period set by the accreditation bodies, normally three years. Certified clients receive a transition plan, and the transition audit is normally combined with a scheduled surveillance or recertification audit.
How long does the certification process take?
Once your management system is implemented and has operated long enough to produce records, including a complete internal audit and a management review, the certification process normally takes six to ten weeks from application to certificate. Your quotation sets out the proposed timeline.
How long is the certificate valid?
Three years from the certification decision, subject to satisfactory annual surveillance audits. A recertification audit before expiry renews the certificate for a further three years.
Can GQCL help us implement the standard?
No. As an accredited certification body, GQCL does not provide consultancy on the management systems it certifies, as ISO/IEC 17021-1 requires. We explain the requirements and the certification process clearly, and the Stage 1 audit identifies any areas of concern before Stage 2.
Can the audit be conducted in Arabic?
Yes. Audits, meetings and audit communication can be conducted in Arabic or English, according to your preference.
Get started
Begin your ISO 9001 certification
Tell us about your organisation and receive a fixed quotation within one business day, without obligation.
- Fixed quotation for the full cycle
- Independent and impartial
- Arabic or English
Thank you. Your request has been received.
A certification advisor will contact you within one business day.