QMUK

28/05/2026

Good ISO/Bad ISO/Ugly ISO

Due to the increased number of prospective clients approaching us because they have had their ISO Certs rejected, losing out on potential work they are tied in to 10yr deals. Consequently, my recent posts have concentrated on "Buyers Beware", rather than "What's We Can Do", so about time....

How We Help

We analyse your current operations, identify what's already working well, providing all template docs & training we help you document your processes in a clear Mgt System. No jargon, no unnecessary complexity – just practical systems that make sense for your business.
Our remote-first* approach means unlimited meetings without travel costs. You get more support for the same fixed price.

* some clients may prefer on-site meetings & some Cert Audits are required on-site – we are flexible

What You Get

Initial analysis & information gathering followed by simple, practical documentation, Staff training and awareness, Internal audit with remedial action, full External Certification Audit preparation & representation - Guaranteed UKAS-Accredited Certification/Fixed Cost
Timeline

Most businesses achieve certification in 3-6 months but can be further fast tracked.

UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and non-UKAS (unaccredited) ISO certifications differ primarily in credibility and cost. UKAS is the government-appointed body that verifies auditors, providing global recognition and strict regulatory trust. Non-UKAS certification is often cheaper and faster but lacks official oversight, hence often rejected in Tenders & Framework Agreements.

We deliver guaranteed fixed cost UKAS ISO Certification only.

For a little more info, questions or quick quote:

www.qmuk.co.uk


& more

QM.UK - UKAS Certification Consultants delivering stress-free UKAS ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 Certifications.

15/05/2026

Worthless ISO Certs!?

The UK recognised Approval process is, as in the diagram below not dissimilar for an MOT or ISO Certificate.

An MOT ensures your car is safe to drive, so don't let your business Crash & Die with a duff ISO Cert.

Non UKAS Certs are now being sold on LinkedIn & Social Media as a Gateway to Framework Agreements & New Business, when openly known that these Certs are widely not accepted.

UKAS stands for the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. It is the sole national accreditation body recognised by the British government to assess the competence of organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection, and calibration services. In short, UKAS "Checks the Checkers".

If it's not UKAS - DON'T DO IT.

Delivering UKAS Approved ISO Certifications only

"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating"

- www.qmuk.co.uk

QM.UK - UKAS Certification Consultants delivering stress-free UKAS ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 Certifications.

28/04/2026

War or Pandemic impacted your Business, who'd have thought?

War and pandemics significantly impact businesses by creating profound uncertainty, disrupting supply chains, and causing severe fluctuations in demand, often leading to lasting economic restructuring, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) normally feeling the impact most.

In 2015 the Quality Standard focused on "Risk-based Thinking" for all elements of your Business Management while the Information Security Standard although primarily for information has always considered Risk.

Back in the day I so often heard "What's the chance of a Pandemic"? "How could a War impact us?" Covid, Russia/Ukraine & The Strait of Hormuz later - no longer hearing those questions.

Smart Businesses now not only look at how they can minimise Risk to their Business, they fully assess the security of their Supply Chain.

ISO Certifications give potential Customers peace of mind that you won't let them down, while the framework of the Standards & the process of gaining Certifications will help make your own Business more Robust.

For a quick insight to these standards:

ISO 9001 -

https://lnkd.in/eJZyfdzv

ISO 27001 -

https://lnkd.in/er7c4EYh

QMUK: ISO info & blog -

https://qmuk.co.uk/

19/04/2026

War or Pandemic impacted your Business, who'd have thought?

War and pandemics significantly impact businesses by creating profound uncertainty, disrupting supply chains, and causing severe fluctuations in demand, often leading to lasting economic restructuring, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) normally feeling the impact most.

In 2015 the Quality Standard focused on "Risk-based Thinking" for all elements of your Business Management while the Information Security Standard although primarily for information has always considered Risk.

Back in the day I so often heard "What's the chance of a Pandemic"? "How could a War impact us?" Covid, Russia/Ukraine & The Strait of Hormuz later - no longer hearing those questions.

Smart Businesses now not only look at how they can minimise Risk to their Business, they fully assess the security of their Supply Chain.

ISO Certifications give potential Customers peace of mind that you won't let them down, while the framework of the Standards & the process of gaining Certifications will make your own Business more Robust.

For a quick insight to these standards:

ISO 9001 -

https://qmuk.co.uk/iso-9001-ukas-certification/

ISO 27001 -

https://qmuk.co.uk/iso-27001-ukas-certification/

QMUK ISO info & blog:

https://qmuk.co.uk/

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

08/04/2026

Choosing a route to ISO Certification, navigating that Minefield....

The most important things to consider fall into a few categories: purpose, scope, method, resources, cost, timeline, partner selection & value add.

Here’s a breakdown:

1. Identify Your Purpose and Scope

Business goals: Clarify why you want ISO certification — e.g., to meet client requirements, bring in new business, improve current processes, sustain growth or enhance credibility – will you get a ROI?

2. Choose the right ISO standard - most requested:

ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
ISO 27001 (Information Security)
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety)

3. Select the Certification Route

Self-preparation vs. Consultant-assisted:

Self-preparation is cheaper but requires more internal expertise and time (which should be costed in).

Consultant-assisted can accelerate implementation and reduce risk – get like for like quotes & demand fixed cost guaranteed UKAS Certs - there must be a positive outcome.

Accredited Certification Body:

Ensure the certification body is accredited by a recognized accreditation body (e.g., UKAS for UK). Non-accredited certifications will no doubt lack credibility & may reduce your own credibility, costing rather than gaining business.

4. Budget and Timeline

Costs: Include consulting (if used), employee time, training and the certification audit itself.

Timeline: Typically ranges from 3-9 months depending on company size and current process maturity.

5. Continuous Improvement Approach

Choose a route that gives added value, helps build robust sustainable systems suitable for growth, not just a “one-time” Certificate on the Wall

To find out a little more about the route to Certification just use the following links:

ISO 9001 - https://lnkd.in/eJZyfdzv

ISO 27001 - https://lnkd.in/er7c4EYh

ISO 14001 - https://lnkd.in/eXu8DNhW

ISO 45001 & more - https://lnkd.in/eMsE2agG

For a bit of Blog, General Info or just a free costing, visit our website:
https://qmuk.co.uk/

The Quality Mgt Standard. A framework to consistently deliver Products & Services your customers can rely on – ISO 9001 UKAS Certification

16/03/2026

ISO Certification – ROI or Hole in Pocket? You Decide...

UKAS Approved Certifications can be seen as a way to bring in new business or retain existing business, a way of making your business more robust & better organised for growth OR a waste of money - not for every business. You need to consider all elements before investing Time & Money. The requirements in ISO Certification Standards do provide good frameworks to ensure Robust Business but if Certification doesn’t guarantee a ROI it may pay just to use the frameworks as guidelines for your business operations without pursuing the expense of Approved Certification. So, do any of the following apply to your business….

New Business or Retaining Current Business:

· You need Certifications to bid for larger works – to take the next steps
· More of your direct competitors may be gaining Certifications
· You need to consolidate existing work, clients becoming more demanding

Making Business More Robust:

· You are expanding fast but need a Watershed period to ensure the foundations will support growth
· You feel your business has been static for some time & don’t want to start falling behind

Fully consider both the cost of attaining UKAS Approved Certifications & the ongoing Costs involved. Compare this to your potential ROI & then make the decision that is best for you – Applying the principles of ISO Standards, gaining Full UKAS Approved ISO Certifications or perhaps neither. To consider further…

Book a free 30min Chat/Consultation, or just forward some questions – [email protected]

For a quick Quote - Get in touch - https://lnkd.in/ecY6_BfV

We recognise our services need to be fully compatible with your goals, so we never pursue with a Sales Pitch,

Grant - www.qmuk.co.uk

09/03/2026

Considered the COST of ISO Certification, or the cost of NOT having ISO Certification....

I dislike those who turn ISO Certification into a Dark Art or sell on fear but businesses as well as considering the cost of attaining fully recognised UKAS ISO Certifications also need to consider the cost of not holding Certifications:

· Limited Access to Framework Agreements
· Vulnerable to current Clients expanding their requirements to ISO Cert
· Unable to gain confidence of potential or larger Clients
· Mgt Systems & processes unable to sustain continued Growth

I have put together a few Blogs on our website that will hopefully give you a better understanding of ISO, the Certification process & help you decide if ISO is really for you:

Which #9001 #27001 for SMEs?
https://lnkd.in/e8Zes7wA

How does ISO Certification help SMEs while protecting Supply Chains?
https://lnkd.in/eievrZfp

Cost of ISO Certification – Independent, Impartial Advise from ChatGPT:
https://lnkd.in/end3WTKg

Who are we?? Don’t ask us, ask ChatGPT:
https://lnkd.in/eRjnctKT

The Great ISO RIP-OFF!!
https://lnkd.in/erUz6AVt

just have a browse on our general Blog: https://qmuk.co.uk/blog/

our website: www.qmuk.co.uk

or drop us a question: [email protected]

03/03/2026

Secure & Promote your Business with ISO 27001...

Protect your Customers Data & the Data critical to running your own business, raise Staff Awareness on the need for Information Security & protect them from witnessing some dreadful football......

To protect & grow your business have a browse on our new website to see if we can help you:

25yrs delivering fixed cost guaranteed UKAS Certifications

- www.qmuk.co.uk

16/02/2026

Cost of ISO Certification - Independent, Impartial Advise from ChatGPT:

You said:
How much does iso certification cost in the UK

ChatGPT said:
In the UK, the cost of obtaining ISO certification (like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001 etc.) isn’t a single fixed price – it varies widely depending on factors such as which standard you chose, the size and complexity of your business, whether you use consultants, and whether you want UKAS-accredited certification.

📊 Typical Cost Ranges in the UK

1. Certification body fees (audit & certificate):

Many UK certification bodies charge £1,000 – £4,000+ for initial certification for smaller organisations (1–50 employees).

More detailed UKAS-accredited audits (especially for standards like ISO 27001) can cost £3,000 – £15,000+ depending on number of audit days and company size.

Some providers advertise packaged options around £995–£3,495 depending on how many standards you want.

2. Consultancy & implementation support (optional but common):

Many small companies pay £3,000 – £10,000+ for consultancy support preparing documentation and systems before audit.

Larger or more complex projects can be £10,000–£20,000+ or more.

3. Ongoing / recurring costs:

After initial certification, you’ll typically pay annual surveillance audits (e.g., £500 – £3,000 per year) and every 3 years a recertification audit.

💡 Breakdown by Business Size (Typical UK Examples)
Business size Typical total certification fees per year (audit only)
Small (1–10 staff) ~£900 – £2,500+
SME (11–50 staff) ~£2,500 – £6,000+
Medium (50–250 staff) ~£6,000 – £15,000+
Large (>250 staff) £10,000 – £30,000+ (or more)
These figures cover certification body fees (audits and certificate issuance) but exclude or only partly include consultancy costs, internal staff time, training, software or documentation preparation.

🧠 Why Costs Vary
Size & complexity: More employees/sites = more audit days.

Which standard: ISO 27001 (information security) is typically more expensive than ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 because of depth of review.

Consultant use: Using external consultants speeds up work but adds cost.

Accreditation: UKAS-accredited certificates cost more but are more widely accepted.

At QMUK we offer fixed cost packages, guaranteeing UKAS Certification. While Non UKAS Certifications can cost less they can ultimately cost more as not universally accepted.

Our Packages start from:

ISO 9001: £4 000 + UKAS Fees £1 225 = £5 225

ISO 27001: £5 200 + UKAS Fees £2 825 = £8 025

ISO 14001: £3 300 + UKAS Fees £1 225 = £4 525

Note: Combining Certifications will save costs.

While consultancy comes at a cost, it does dramatically reduce your Internal man-hours which often goes uncosted & guarantees a positive outcome.

If you would like a quick e-quote without any Sales Pitch just get in touch...

- www.qmuk.co.uk

02/02/2026

Choosing Your ISO?

An ISO to grow your Business?

Getting into 2026 & looking to boost your chances of new work, win more tenders or manage growth?

ISO Certainly can facilitate all of the above & retain Clients - but NOT ALWAYS...

Business Checks:

What Certs have your competitors got?
What Certs are potential clients looking for?
Will the process help you improve or better manage your business?
Will you get a Return On Investment?

ISO Cert Selection:

"Quality" but really covers all of how you manage your business - a business foundation & the most commonly asked for.

"Information Security" a framework for protecting business critical information - helps secure you & your Clients info, fastest growing Cert & a strong requirement for any IT related businesses looking to retain or win new work.

"Environmental" the framework for managing & reducing your environmental impact - helps with Carbon Reduction & gives a positive environmental profile for Tenders

ISO Cert Provider Selection:

For the UK ensure it is UKAS Accredited Certification, the only UK Cert recognised by UKGov, IAF & ISO - Beware the Pretenders! (not the Pop Band)

Be confident any external help (consultancy or training) can deliver a positive, fixed cost outcome.

For further info have a scan of our website

- www.qmuk.co.uk

Have a Prosperous 2026 filled with Growth!

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