+91 97417 39487 | 
Get ISO Accredited Certification in Nigeria: Benefits and Process Explained
Introduction
Nigerian businesses face new demands competing in the global market and having to prove business competence, compliance, and quality. One of the easiest and most beneficial ways to achieve it, is to obtain an ISO-accredited certification in Nigeria.
How does the ISO accreditation process work in Nigeria? More importantly, how can your business ensure the certification you receive is trusted, and compliant?
In the next few paragraphs, we unravel this with the help of Popularcert, a trusted ISO consulting partner, and explain how they can help your business get the certification it is entitled to, and aid it in becoming internationally respected.
What Is ISO Accreditation?
First, let’s clarify a misunderstanding.
ISO accreditation and ISO certification are commonly interchanged, and that is a misunderstanding we hope to clarify;
ISO accreditation pertains to the acknowledgment of an organization’s ability to execute ISO audits and issue certifications; this is what ISO accreditation is.
ISO certification is the process for businesses, such as yours, whereby the company is audited and certified for its compliance to international standards. For example, ISO 9001 is for quality management, and the company needs to meet its requirements.
Who exactly needs accreditation?
Only certification bodies require ISO accreditation. As such, your undertaking as a business is to ensure that your ISO certification is issued by an accredited certification body for it to be trusted and recognized globally.
Why Is ISO Accredited Certification Important?
In Nigeria, companies in all sectors including oil and gas, food processing, IT, and pharmaceuticals have to demonstrate certified systems. However, there’s more to it than just possessing a certification. It has to be issued by an ISO-accredited certification body.
Here’s why:
-
Global Acceptance:
Market and supply chain certificates issued by non-accredited institutions are considered invalid. -
Trust and Credibility:
Your customers, investors, and regulators perceive greater reliability when your processes are claimed to be certified international standards. -
Access to Tenders and Contracts:
Most government and private contracts mandate the use of ISO-certified vendors with certification issued by accredited bodies. -
Risk Reduction and Internal Efficiency:
ISO standards allow for reduced operational risks and enhanced quality and efficiency, with the added benefit of external, accredited verification.
Key ISO Standards That Require Accredited Certification
Types Of Certification
- ISO Certification
- ISO 9001 Certification
- ISO 14001 Certification
- ISO 45001 Certification
- ISO 22000 Certification
- ISO 27001 Certification
- ISO 17025 Certification
- ISO 13485 Certification
- ISO 20000-1 Certification
- ISO 22301 Certification
- ISO 50001 Certification
- ISO 37001 Certification
- IATF 16949 Certification
- ISO 29001 Certification
- ISO 31000 Certification
- ISO 20121 Certification
- ISO 10002 Certification
- ISO 41001 Certification
Get Free Consultation
Our Clients
Almost all companies in Nigeria stand to gain from ISO-accredited certification. The more common accreditation include:
ISO 9001 – Quality Management System
Best suited for businesses of all sizes as it encourages standardization of processes, enhanced customer satisfaction, and bolstered efficiency.
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System
Promotes compliance to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner, supporting locally and internationally recognized Nigerian laws.
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
Critical for managing the health risks of having a safe workplace and ensuring compliance to safety regulations.
ISO 22000 – Food Safety Management
Applies to food processors, manufacturers, and exporters with a focus on food hygiene and safety.
ISO 27001 – Information Security Management
Applicable to tech, telecom, and financial institutions for protection against breaches of sensitive data.
Popularcert assists you in selecting the most appropriate standard in line with your sector and guarantees that your certification is done with an accredited body.
How to Identify an ISO-Accredited Certification Body
For you to be certain that your certificate is credible, you need to ensure that the certifying body is accredited. This is how you can determine that:
- Verify Recognition with the IAF: International Accreditation Forum IAF has a global list of recognized accredited bodies. If your certifier is not a member of IAF, there is a chance that your certificate will not be accepted internationally.
- Validation from Local Accreditors: In Nigeria, certifying bodies can be accredited through NABCB (India), UKAS (UK), ANAB (USA), or other IAF affiliates.
- Certificates with Accreditors Logos: Certificates that have been accredited carry the logos of both the certifier and the accreditation body.
- Consult your ISO Advisor: For clients of Popularcert, we ensure all the required accreditations are in place and assure that you are only in contact with IAF-recognized bodies.
The ISO Accredited Certification Process in Nigeria
Obtaining certification is straightforward and absolutely less demanding if you work with a trusted consulting firm such as Popularcert.
We can explain this as follows:
Step 1: Choose the Right ISO Standard
Based on the consulting firm you choose, Popularcert assits you evaluate your industry, your goals, as well as your compliance needs to choose the correct ISO standard.
Step 2: Gap Assessment and Documentation
We try to determine the practices currently being used within your firm so as to assist in the documentation and the necessary steps to fill in the gaps.
Step 3: Internal Training and System Implementation
Your staff are instructed on the ISO standard and are exacted to make the required changes in the various daily operations.
Step 4: Pre-Certification Audit
We fix all gaps and prepare the final documentation to be ready for the mock audit.
Step 5: Certification Audit by an Accredited Body
Based on your firm portfolio, Popularcert meets the certification needs and organizes the audit with an ISO accredited certification body. After an audit, the firm issues a certificate that is internationally accepted, signifying that all processes are adhered to.
Step 6: Post-Certification Support
We assist in the compliance audits and the audits performed to determine if the status can be renewed after a set period of time.
Why Choose Popularcert for ISO Accredited Certification?
Popularcert will assist you in getting ISO-accredited certification by applying their in-depth knowledge of international standards as well as the Nigerian regulatory landscape.
We provide:
- Complete ISO consulting including gap analysis and auditing
- Access to IAF-accredited certification bodies exclusively
- Specific knowledge in sectors such as food, technology, and energy
- Familiarity with local requirements as well as international standards
- Sustained assistance with documentation, training, and more
With us at Popularcert you will not only improve your processes but also develop a more trustworthy, more efficient, and more resilient business.
Which Industries in Nigeria Benefit Most?
While ISO certification exhibits universal advantages across the industry sectors, some notably include:
- Oil & Gas – occurs for operational safety, quality assurance, and eligibility for tenders
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals – ensures operational hygiene, safety for patients, and compliance with good manufacturing practices
- Food Processing & Agriculture – enables compliance with food safety and export regulations
- Technology & IT – enables strong data security and effective information management
- Construction & Engineering – promotes compliance with health, safety, and quality standards
- Government Contractors – many RFPs acquisition ISO-accredited certification
Popularcert has consulting experience with all these sectors helping businesses develop effective strategies to achieve their goals.
Ready to Get Started?
No matter the size of your business; be it a small startup or a multinational operating in Nigeria, an ISO-accredited certification can help you:
- Demonstrate your professionalism and quality
- Expand your business in new markets
- Enhance your operations
- Improve client trust
- Meet Nigerian and international legislative guidelines
At Popularcert, we help you from picking the right ISO standard up to linking you with an accredited certification body.
Reach out to us for a complimentary consultation and understand the impact ISO-accredited certification can have on your business.
Achieve ISO accreditation, maintain regulatory compliance, and accelerate business growth with PopularCert.
GET A FREE CONSULTATION NOW
FAQs
What is certified accreditation with ISO?
This is a certificate from a body authorized to perform ISO audits and is issued by a body accredited by international bodies, e.g. IAF. This is to confirm that the certification is international to some extent.
Is ISO accreditation compulsory in Nigeria?
This is not a general requirement, but some sectors like government contracting and oil and petrochemical industries, or exporting goods, do require certification from a recognized body in order to have a contract.
What is the estimated period to receive ISO-accredited certification?
Increased readiness, type of business and its size, and the industry contribute to the time needed to gain a certification. Popularcert usually assists its clients with preparing within 4 to 8 weeks and does an audit afterwards.
Is it possible for any certification bodies to issue ISO certificates?
Yes, though only IAF-accredited certificates are recognized. This is one of the reasons for the PopularCert strategic decision to only work with accredited partners.
What are the first tasks to be done to acquire Popularcert services?
Us is as simple as reaching out with the company for an ISO certification consultation. Get an in-house appraisal, and with that done, receive a bespoke ISO certification strategy plan.