ISO 9001 consulting
ISO 9001 consulting: do you need a consultant at all?
Many business owners assume ISO 9001 means hiring a consultant for weeks or months. It does not have to. With the Zertify self-assessment you answer 30 yes/no questions online and receive your certificate within 4 hours of passing and payment.
01: Consultant role
What an ISO 9001 consultant actually does
ISO 9001:2015 sets out the requirements for a quality management system (QMS). A consultant helps a company build, document and run that system. The work is advisory. The consultant does not issue the certificate.
The scope varies from firm to firm. Most projects combine the following building blocks.
- Gap analysis
- The consultant compares how you work today with the requirements of clauses 4 to 10 and lists what is missing.
- Documentation
- Quality policy, measurable objectives, process descriptions and the records the standard expects.
- Risks and processes
- Workshops on risks and opportunities (clause 6) and on how key processes are defined and controlled (clause 8).
- Training
- Briefing management and staff on their roles, and preparing internal auditors.
- Audit preparation
- Internal audit, management review and support before an on-site audit by a certification body.
02: Need or choice
Do you need ISO 9001 consulting? It depends on your goal
The standard does not require a consultant. A company can read the requirements, document its own processes and run the system itself. Consulting is a service you can buy, not a condition you must meet.
Two goals are easy to confuse. The first is a deep rebuild of how your company works, with new processes, new roles and a long-term improvement programme. Here, an experienced consultant can save time and add outside perspective. The second is a certificate that shows customers, tenders and partners that your company works to the quality management principles of ISO 9001:2015. For that goal, a project with external advisers is often more than you need.
03: Scope and rates
Typical consulting scope and indicative day rates
The figures below are indicative ranges only. Real quotes depend on company size, sector, the state of your existing documentation and the consultant you choose. Always ask for a written offer.
| Phase | Typical content | Indicative effort |
|---|---|---|
| Gap analysis | Review of current practice against the requirements | 1 to 3 days |
| System design and documentation | Policy, objectives, processes, risk register | 5 to 15 days |
| Training and internal audit | Staff briefing, first internal audit | 2 to 5 days |
| Management review and audit preparation | Review meeting, final checks | 1 to 3 days |
Day rates for quality consultants in Switzerland are often indicated in the range of CHF 1,000 to 2,000 per day, usually lower in neighbouring countries. Multiplied by the effort above, a project for a small company can reach several thousand to tens of thousands of francs. On the classic route with an on-site audit by a certification body, the fee of the certification body comes on top.
04: Classic route
Consulting plus on-site audit: the classic route
In the classic route with an on-site audit by a certification body, a company often hires a consultant to prepare the system. The certification body then carries out an on-site audit and decides on the certificate. Indicatively, such a project runs from a few months up to a year, depending on how much has to be built first.
This route suits companies that want a thorough internal programme and an auditor on site. It also takes the most time and budget. If you want to see how the routes differ before you decide, the comparison guide sets them side by side.
05: Zertify
How Zertify certifies you without a consulting project
Zertify issues ISO 9001:2015 certificates based on an online self-assessment. There is no on-site audit and no consulting project. The certificate is issued by G6 Agency AG under licence from SICE, which reviews every assessment before the certificate is issued, and it can be verified publicly on zertify.ch.
It is a yearly subscription: CHF 599 (€599) in the first year, then CHF 399 (€399) per year including the online re-audit. The certificate is valid for 3 years and is confirmed every year with a short online re-audit. You can cancel at any time for the end of the year. The steps are short.
Answer 30 yes/no questions
The self-assessment covers the core requirements of ISO 9001:2015, from context and policy to risks, processes and improvement. It is free and needs no registration.
Reach 20 of 30
That is the pass threshold. If you fall short, you see where your system has gaps and can try again.
Pay and receive your certificate
Your certificate arrives within 4 hours after passing and payment.
Share a verifiable proof
Every certificate can be checked publicly by its number and QR code.
Even if you plan to work with a consultant later, the self-assessment is a fast way to see where you stand today.
06: Comparison
Consulting project or Zertify: side by side
The table shows how the two approaches differ in practice. Consulting figures are indicative ranges.
| Aspect | Consulting project (classic route) | Zertify self-assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Effort | Workshops, documentation and meetings over weeks or months | 30 yes/no questions online |
| Time to certificate | Indicatively several months | Within 4 hours after passing and payment |
| Cost | Indicatively several thousand to tens of thousands of CHF, plus certification body fees | CHF 599 (€599) in the first year, then CHF 399 (€399) per year |
| On-site audit | Yes, by a certification body | No |
| Verification | Depends on the certification body | Public, by number and QR code |
| Renewal | Depends on the contract | Yearly fee of CHF 399 (€399), including the online re-audit |
A consultant still makes sense if you want to redesign your processes, prepare for a customer who demands an on-site audit, or build internal know-how. If you mainly need a clear, verifiable ISO 9001 certificate quickly, the self-assessment is the shorter path.
07: FAQ
Questions about ISO 9001 consulting
08: Guide
Related pages
Find out in minutes whether you need a consultant
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