QMUK

30/10/2026

Gherkins sorted, Cost of Living sorted! Now for business...

There is no specific product-level ISO standard written exclusively for gherkins.
Instead, gherkins (small-fruited Cucumis sativus L.) and pickled cucumbers are governed by broader food safety management systems, international trade codes, and regional or quality standards.

However:

If you feel the budget hasn't helped your business but all that money you're saving on yer gherkins is burning a hole in your pocket, there are standards you can invest in that will boost your business -


The Quality Mgt Standard. A framework to consistently deliver Products & Services your customers can rely on.

For companies bidding on work or wishing controlled growth Businesses wanting to improve their operations or any company seeking to demonstrate

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


The Information Security Mgt Standard. A framework to protect you & your Customers critical information.

For companies bidding on work or wishing to demonstrate to Customers that you have their back, you take Information seriously

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


The Environmental Mgt Standard. Guidelines to manage your Environmental Aspects, & reduce your Environmental Impact.

For companies wishing to demonstrate Environmental commitment, improve Environmental Performance & increase their Sustainability

for more info: https://qmuk.co.uk/iso-14001-ukas-certification/

ps: QMUK BUDGET - all Consultancy Fees are frozen for 2027

19/10/2026

Fake or Proper? (ISO Cert)...

Not my words but I received this enquiry last week...

"I am exploring options for ISO27001 and possibly 9001. I am trying to figure out whether we go down the route of a fake ISO27001 (ie. non UKAS accredited) vs a proper one. Most of our competitors seem to have the fake ones and none of our customers seem to care (some of them even have Citation ones themselves, oh the irony). I am interetsted in what the costs would be for us to do it through you guys. We are happy to do a lot of the work (we have the standard and have already been working through big sections of it in prep).

Thanks **** "

....& that is the way many think of UKAS or Non-UKAS Approved ISO Certifications.

If your customers lack awareness of the difference between UKAS & Non UKAS Approved Certifications, the temptation is there to seek a cheaper, less costly & time-consuming route to a Certification. This is where attitude & commitment comes in, do you seek to open your business to scrutiny & prove your robustness to potential clients, or do you just want perhaps a less meaningful piece of paper?

Another potential client called last week to say holding a Non UKAS Cert they were being kicked off an NHS Framework unless they could at least show they were now working towards a UKAS Accredited Certification. They are currently only 3 years in to a 10yr Non-UKAS Certification Contract.

PLEASE NOTE: UKAS Cert Bodies do not tie anyone in to long-term Contracts. UKAS Cert Bodies release you from contracts giving 1-3 mths notice & while the initial commitment & cost will be greater the ongoing costs are similar but with the potential rewards being far greater.

If interested in a "PROPER" ISO Certification, have a browse -

www.qmuk.co.uk

& others

05/08/2026

25Yrs in ISO….

Received a Linkedin message – “Hi Grant — 25 years running QMUK and a good sense of humour about it too (the ChatGPT bio line got me). Curious what's changed most about ISO audits since you started.” — Paras

So here goes…..

· I’ve got older

· The Covid Pandemic pushed ISO into the 21st Century, with Remote or Hybrid Audits becoming the norm

· Since the Covid Pandemic with Remote or Hybrid Consultancy also becoming the norm, we can now offer unlimited meetings during the project phase at no extra cost

· Many businesses excluded from tenders & kicked off Framework Agreements as awareness grows over the difference between UKAS Accredited Certification & Non Accredited, but still the unfortunates are being sucked into 10yr contracts on Non-UKAS Certs

· Auditors tend to be much younger now, a wave of 60yr+ Auditors retiring off have been replaced by much younger people

· ISO 9001 Quality was by far the biggest standard 25yrs ago (& still is), having made a dramatic change to Process Mgt

· ISO 14001 Environmental was the first significant standard to challenge 9001 in terms of numbers

· Focus turning from Quality to Cyber & Information Security, ISO 27001 is now officially the fastest growing standard

· To avoid fraudsters both UKAS & the IAF now have Search Features where you can check if Certificates are genuinely accredited or not, please utilise these as businesses put genuine effort into gaining properly Accredited Certs . UKAS Cert Check - https://lnkd.in/e6m_Bavc

· New: AI – ISO 42001 AI Mgt – will it prove a Bid Winner or have little take-up…?

Here’s to another 25 years of delivering trusted, fixed cost & Guaranteed UKAS Approved Certifications.

For info on gaining ISO Certifications, how we help, or just to read hopefully some helpful & quirky Blogs

- www.qmuk.co.uk

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

13/07/2026

England v Argentina - Leave Nothing Out There!

Sir Alex Ferguson famously made his "leave nothing out there" speech on May 26, 1999, during his half-time team talk in the Champions League Final against Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou.Trailing 1-0, Ferguson famously told his Manchester United squad: "At the end of this game, the European Cup will be only six feet away from you, and you'll not even be able to touch it if we lose. But you'll not be able to even touch it if we lose. And you can't leave anything out there." He followed it up with his legendary closing remarks: "Make sure you leave nothing out there." The inspiring words drove the team to a historic comeback, winning 2-1 to secure the Treble.

When you aspire to bigger contracts, growing your business or winning tenders - LEAVE NOTHING OUT THERE.

Many businesses approach us because they have lost work or failed in tenders as they didn't hold the required ISO Certifications, or because they had opted for cheaper, quicker "Non-UKAS" Certification alternatives.

Be Proactive not Reactive, secure the wins 🏆 with guaranteed UKAS Certifications.

Fixed Cost - www.qmuk.co.uk

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