What is ISO Accreditation? Meaning, Certification and WHS Accreditation

This guide explains what ISO accreditation means, how it differs from ISO certification and the steps an organisation takes to become certified. It also covers WHS accreditation through the Federal Safety Commissioner, which builders need to tender for Australian Government projects.

If your business needs certification rather than accreditation, our ISO certification services cover ISO 45001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

What is ISO Accreditation?

The terms ISO Certification and ISO Accreditation are used interchangeably and usually refer to the fact that an organisation has been certified that it complies with ISO standards.

However, this raises further questions, like:

• What is ISO?
• What are their standards? and
• How does an organisation get certified?

What is "ISO"?

ISO is an organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland. It is the symbol for the "International Organisation for Standardisation". ISO is not an acronym, it is simply a logo or slogan as it derived from the Greek word "Isos" meaning "equal".

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has members from 167 countries and publishes all sorts of standards covering a myriad of subjects from seatbelts to snowmobiles. This type of global standardisation gives the world some confidence in international goods and services and promotes further integration of the global economy.

What is an ISO Standard?

ISO standards are essentially documents that outline the requirement a particular product or process must meet. For example, to be certified as compliant with ISO6683:2005 Earth Moving Machinery Seatbelts, the seatbelt needs to meet performance requirements for strength, durability and reliability.

Standards not only exist for physical products, but also for intangibles. In the case of ISO45001, 9001 and 14001 – these intangibles are management systems.

The main ISO standards for management systems used in Australia are:

• ISO45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
• ISO9001 – Quality Management Systems, and
• ISO14001 – Environmental Management Systems

Inside the standard is detailed information on how to meet the requirements.

For example, ISO45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems includes sections on:

• Context of the organisation: Internal and external issues
• Leadership and worker participation: Commitment, policies and roles / responsibilities
• Planning: Hazard ID, risk assessment, determination of legal requirements
• Objectives and targets: A set of self-made targets and plans to achieve them
• Competency: What competencies should various stakeholders maintain
• Communication: Internal and external communication between stakeholders
• Document control: How documents are created, stored, distributed and collected
• Monitoring and measuring: Tracking ongoing performance, including internal audits
• Improvements: Identification and rectification of non-conformance and continual improvement

Once an organisation has documented plans, policies and procedures that meet (or exceed) the requirements outlined in ISO, it is ready to become certified.

How Does an Organisation Get ISO Accreditation?

The easiest way to get certified is to call us now. We can typically get a company certified for ISO 45001 (as well as 9001 and 14001) for around $20,000 total cost (including certification audit).

The timeline for us to develop a ISO 45001 compliant WHS Management Systems (or a 45001, 9001 and 14001 integrated management system) is typically 6 weeks development + 1 week for the certification audit = approximately 7 weeks in total.

Step 1: Gap Analysis (SKIP THIS?)

Many consultants will start with a gap analysis to identify gaps in your existing system, with the goal of filling these gaps to achieve certification. In our experience, many clients do not need a gap analysis and their journey starts at Step 2 below.

Even if the company has existing WHS documentation or systems, it is usually simplest and easiest to begin with a new WHS Management System and simply "add-in" any existing documents or procedures that will add value to the new system (quite often a lot of the old documentation is retired or archived).

Step 2: Getting a WHSMS

Option 1 – Purchase "Off-The-Shelf" WHSMS

Purchasing an off-the-shelf system is fastest and cheapest. This WHSMS will be generic in nature, but workplace-specific documentation can be added to the system.

Its similar to how you would make a homemade pizza – you are likely to buy the pizza base (or even a plain cheese pizza) from the supermarket, and then add your own choice of toppings. Then, bam! You have your own customised and workplace-specific WHS Management System (or pizza! or both!).

Option 2 – Write the WHSMS From Scratch

This option could be a lengthy process – and it will likely need to be written by someone with experience (or a consultant). For example, the WHSMS Manual is typically 20 – 50 pages (or longer). The entire system could take months to create – why reinvent the wheel?

Step 3: Overview of Operations

The next steps assume you have purchased an off-the-shelf system and engaged a consultant (hopefully us!) to assist.

The real work begins! We need to learn about your company's:

• Operations
• Staff
• Work Sites / Locations

Step 4: Develop Company-Specific Documentation

Company-specific documents may include SWMS, Permit Systems or Inductions. In addition to the front-end documents, the back-end documents including Policies, Procedures and Registers (or spreadsheets) are developed. To learn about WHS Policies and Procedures, read our detailed guide.

Step 5: Implement the WHSMS

Now, use the system! This can include inducting staff (with the new induction tool) and implementing Safe Work Procedures (SWPs or SWMS). You also need to conduct the following:

• Safety Inspection
• Safety Meeting (and distribute a Safety Alert)
• Emergency Drill
• Management Review Meeting
• Internal Audit (we help with this step)

You will also need to ensure your workplace is safe and well-managed. For example, ensuring first aid kits and fire extinguishers are available.

Step 6: Third-Party Audit (The Easy Step)

Now you can sit back and let the auditor admire your WHS Management System. A third-party auditor will review your documentation and workplace. There will be corrective actions (i.e. stuff that needs fixing). However, we have a 100% success rate and have never failed an audit.

Step 7: Get Your ISO Accreditation Certificates

You will be issued with certificate/s which you can display on your website and submit for tenders.

Step 8: Keep Your Certificates

You will required "surveillance audits" yearly and "re-certification audits" every 3 years to maintain your ISO Accreditation.

Understanding the Difference Between ISO Accreditation and Certification

While the terms 'ISO accreditation' and 'ISO certification' are often used interchangeably in general conversation, they have distinct meanings within the world of international standards. Understanding this difference is crucial for businesses pursuing compliance.

ISO Certification refers to the process by which an organisation's management system is audited by an independent, third-party certification body and confirmed to meet the requirements of a specific ISO standard (e.g., ISO 45001, ISO 9001). When your company achieves ISO 45001 certification, it means your safety management system has been verified as compliant.

ISO Accreditation, on the other hand, is the formal recognition that a certification body itself is competent to perform these certification audits. An accreditation body (such as JAS-ANZ in Australia and New Zealand) assesses and accredits certification bodies, ensuring they operate with impartiality, competence, and consistency. Therefore, while a business seeks ISO certification, it should ensure its chosen certification body is ISO accredited.

WHS Accreditation with the Federal Safety Commissioner

In the building and construction industry, "accreditation" also refers to the WHS Accreditation Scheme run by the Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC). The Scheme is designed to lift health and safety standards on construction sites, protecting workers and the broader community.

The accreditation process

Builders seeking accreditation must have stringent safety management systems in place, and must demonstrate that they are effectively implementing and following them on site, not just on paper. Accredited builders are subject to more thorough auditing than non-accredited builders.

Once a builder meets the requirements of the Scheme and is accredited, it signifies that the FSC has found its safety management system meets the Scheme's standards. One of the most significant advantages is that accreditation opens the door to tendering for Australian Government projects, which often require a higher level of safety assurance.

Accreditation criteria

The Scheme sets out several key criteria that builders must meet:

• Demonstrated ability to manage hazards: builders must show they can effectively manage construction hazards and high-risk activities through thorough risk assessment, hazard identification and comprehensive safety protocols.

• A positive safety record: a history of prioritising safety is a strong indicator of a builder's commitment to WHS.

• Consistent on-site audit results: on-site audits focus on:

  • Demonstrated senior management commitment to WHS

  • Safe design integrated into risk management processes

  • WHS consultation and communication

  • Subcontractor WHS management

  • Performance measurement throughout the project lifecycle

  • WHS training and competency, so personnel are equipped to manage safety risks

For the official requirements, see What is accreditation? (Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner).

Did You Know?

Did you know that the first ISO management system standard, ISO 9001, was based on a British standard? The ISO 9001 standard, which focuses on quality management systems, was first published in 1987. It was based on the British Standard BS 5750, which was developed in 1979. This standard has since become one of the most widely recognised and implemented management system standards globally.

Spire Safety App: keep your forms, registers and documents in one place your team can use anywhere, even offline. See the Spire Safety App in action.

Need a hand?

Spire Safety offers ISO 45001 certification support — building the system, running the internal audit and getting you ready for the certification body. Get in touch to talk it through.