ISO 9001 in Thun: certified online, without an on-site audit

ISO 9001:2015 is the world's leading standard for quality management systems (QMS). It sets out the requirements for a QMS that helps an organisation consistently deliver products and services that meet customer requirements and regulatory obligations.

The standard rests on seven quality management principles: customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making and relationship management. They apply to a workshop with five employees as much as to a larger company.

Zertify is an online service. We have no office in Thun and no local auditors. That does not matter for your certificate, because every step runs in the browser. Whether your company sits in Thun, elsewhere in the canton of Bern or in another part of Switzerland, the process is identical.

• ISO 9001 at a glance

The standard follows the high level structure used by most ISO management system standards. Six requirements form the core of what you need to show.

1. 01

   Understand your context (clause 4)

   Describe your organisation, its interested parties and the scope of your quality management system.

2. 02

   Set a quality policy and objectives (clauses 5 and 6)

   Management defines a quality policy and measurable objectives that the team knows and can follow.

3. 03

   Assess risks and opportunities (clause 6)

   You identify what could affect product or service quality and decide how to respond.

4. 04

   Define and control processes (clause 8)

   Key processes from enquiry to delivery are described, and responsibilities are clear.

5. 05

   Ensure resources and competence (clause 7)

   People, equipment and knowledge are sufficient for the work, and training is documented where it matters.

6. 06

   Monitor and improve (clauses 9 and 10)

   You measure performance, review results and correct what does not work.

Thun is a city in the canton of Bern with a mix of industry, trades, services and public institutions. The need for ISO 9001 usually comes from customers, tenders or internal ambition, not from the location. In general terms, the following types of business ask for it most often.

Manufacturing companies

Producers and suppliers often have to show a documented quality system when they deliver to larger customers.

Trades and craft businesses

Building trades and workshops use the certificate to demonstrate reliable processes in offers and tenders.

Service and consulting firms

A certificate gives clients a recognised sign that delivery is structured and repeatable.

IT and software companies

Customers in regulated sectors often ask suppliers how quality is managed.

Public institutions

Organisations that want consistent, documented service can use ISO 9001 as a framework.

• ISO for small and medium businesses

Both routes lead to an ISO 9001 certificate. They differ in how the evidence is collected and how much time and money the process takes. The table compares the classic route with an on-site audit by a certification body and the Zertify online route.

Figures for the classic route vary by provider and company size. Treat them as indicative and request quotes for your own case.

• Compare the certification routes
• Certification without an on-site audit

Zertify issues ISO certificates based on a self-assessment. The certificate is issued by G6 Agency AG under licence from SICE (Swiss Institute of Certification and Education). SICE reviews every assessment before the certificate is issued.

The price is stated openly: CHF 599 in the first year, then CHF 399 per year including the yearly online re-audit. The certificate is valid for 3 years. Prices include 8.1% Swiss VAT for customers in Switzerland. You do not need an account to buy.

Billing is an automatic yearly subscription. You can cancel at any time in your customer account, effective at the end of the current year. If you cancel, the certificate ends with the paid year. If you certify against several standards, you receive 20% off for 2 standards and 30% off for 3 or more, also on the yearly fee.

• ISO 9001 certificate
• Prices and discounts
• Start the free self-assessment

To pass, all 11 mandatory requirements of the standard must be answered with yes. In addition, at least 17 of the other 25 questions must be answered with yes. Prepare your quality policy, objectives, process descriptions and records before you start, so that your answers reflect what you actually do.

1. 01

   Open the self-assessment

   Start online. It is free and needs no registration.

2. 02

   Answer 36 questions

   Each question is a yes/no question about your quality management system.

3. 03

   Pass the thresholds

   All 11 mandatory requirements and at least 17 of the other 25 questions must be yes.

4. 04

   Pay and receive the certificate

   After SICE has reviewed your assessment, G6 Agency AG issues the certificate within 4 hours after you pass and pay.

5. 05

   Share and keep it current

   Anyone can verify your certificate by number and QR code. Each year a short online re-audit confirms it.

• How it works
• Guide on certification cost