Essential Documents to Prepare for ISO Certification

An overview of the documents and records typically needed without making the system unnecessarily burdensome.

Context and policy documents

Organizations generally need to define the scope, context, interested parties, policies, objectives, and responsibilities.

Process-control documents

Documentation may take the form of procedures, instructions, forms, digital systems, or other methods sufficient to maintain consistency.

Records demonstrating implementation

Records of training, inspections, monitoring, supplier evaluations, complaints, audits, meetings, and corrective actions demonstrate that the system is operating.

Avoid documentation that is not used

Documentation should reflect actual practices and risk needs. Excessive documentation that is not implemented can itself become a source of nonconformity.