6 reasons to choose certification 

A certified management system is essential to doing business. In some cases due to legal requirements, but in most cases there is commercial need. Moreover, certification will help mitigate weaknesses, manage risk and gain stakeholder trust.

Certification of management systems is important for any organization. Whether it is because it is required by stakeholders or to improve business processes. Having management system certification can take your organization to the next level. But why should you consider certification, what are the benefits? DNV has outlined the six main reasons to certify for you:

1. Get a better understanding of your organization

With a well-functioning management system, everyone knows at all times what, how and why something should be done. This is because in a management system, all relevant processes are identified, documented if necessary and implemented in accordance with the requirements of the chosen standard. In doing so, you give yourself and your employees greater insight into the operations. In addition, the systematic approach of the management system allows you to identify and manage potential risks and areas for improvement. In addition, certification helps in understanding the organizational context, stakeholder requirements and the risks and opportunities associated with them. 

2. Strengthen your market position 

Often, certification occurs to meet customer requirements. Certification will then meet the requirements of that particular customer, but it also makes your organization more attractive to other potential customers and/or suppliers. In addition to making your organization more attractive to do business with, an added benefit is that having a certified management system contributes to better performance, higher customer satisfaction and increased customer loyalty. 

3. Drive for improvement

If your management system works according to the standard, your organization receives the certificate.
This gives you the tools to continuously improve your organization. Within your organization, you take actions to maintain the management system, but in doing so, you also improve your organizational performance. Thus, organizational processes can be designed more efficiently and costs are reduced.

4. Engaged employees

The management system ensures that employees clearly know what is expected of them. This is because there are procedures and instructions that describe how tasks should be performed so that organizational goals can be achieved. With the involvement of your employees, the implementation of a management system becomes easier and customer requirements can be carried out even better.

5. Work more efficiently

You want to minimize risks, right? With a certified management system, you minimize risks and processes are under control. The management system makes it easier to implement best-practice processes. In addition, certification gives you insight into shortcomings of your system compared to the standard. With these insights, operational controls and process efficiency can be improved. 

6. Fewer external audits.

More and more organizations are requiring certification to specific standards before business can be conducted. With certification by an external party, you show as an organization that you are suitable. This has the advantage that you no longer have to conduct a separate audit for each customer or supplier to demonstrate that you meet the requirements set. Now it may happen that the customer prefers a different standard than what your management system already complies with. Then you can easily go through the new certification process because you already have a functioning management system. 

Ready for certification? 

Want to take the first step toward certification, but don't know where to start?
Then download the free white paper "in 10 steps to certification" at www.dnv.nl/in10stappen. With this roadmap, you will be well prepared for your first audit.