Checklist
Documents required
- 1Company PAN and GST certificate
- 2Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed
- 3Letterhead with full registered address
- 4Scope of activities to be certified
- 5Number of employees and shifts
- 6Existing process flow / SOPs (if any)
- 7List of products / services
- 8Previous ISO certificates (for re-certification)
Process
Step-by-step process
- 1Select the applicable ISO standard for your industry
- 2Choose an accredited Certification Body (CB) — accreditation should be from NABCB / IAF members
- 3Submit application and receive a fixed quote based on scope and headcount
- 4Develop the documented management system — Quality Manual, SOPs, records
- 5Implement the system across all relevant departments (typically 4–6 weeks)
- 6Conduct internal audit and management review
- 7Stage-1 audit by CB — documentation and readiness review
- 8Stage-2 audit by CB — on-site verification of implementation
- 9Close non-conformities within 60 days
- 10Receive the ISO certificate (valid 3 years) and undergo annual surveillance audits
As of 2026
Fees & timeline
| ISO 9001 (small org, up to 25 staff) | ₹25,000–60,000 · 4–8 weeks |
|---|---|
| ISO 14001 / 45001 (small) | ₹35,000–75,000 · 6–10 weeks |
| ISO 22000 (food safety) | ₹45,000–90,000 · 6–10 weeks |
| ISO 27001 (information security) | ₹60,000–1,80,000 · 8–12 weeks |
| Annual surveillance audit | 30–50% of initial fee |
| Re-certification (every 3 years) | 70–90% of initial fee |
Figures reviewed as of September 2026. Government fees may change without notice.
Frequently asked questions
- ISO certification is voluntary in India and not legally mandatory for any business. It is, however, frequently required by government tenders, export buyers, large corporates and as evidence of quality for B2B contracts.
- Most Indian MSMEs start with ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) as it applies to any organisation and is the most widely recognised. Food businesses add ISO 22000, IT / data businesses add ISO 27001, and manufacturers add ISO 14001 or 45001.
- For a small organisation (up to 25 staff), end-to-end ISO 9001 certification typically costs ₹25,000–60,000 including documentation support, internal audit and the certification body fee. Annual surveillance is 30–50% of the initial cost.
- An ISO certificate is valid for three years, subject to annual surveillance audits. Full re-certification is required at the end of the three-year cycle.