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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about certification and training with TUV United. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch — we're here to help.
Certification
What is certification?
Certification is third-party attestation related to products, processes, systems, or persons, as defined by ISO/IEC 17000. TUV United's programs cover standards including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 22000, ISO 50001, and ISO 45001.
What is an accreditation body?
An accreditation body is an authoritative entity that assesses organizations providing certification, testing, and inspection services — evaluating their competence, impartiality, and performance capability against internationally agreed standards.
What does it mean for a certification body to be accredited?
An accredited certification body has demonstrated that it fully meets the requirements of the relevant national and international standards governing certification and conformity assessment activities.
How do I apply for certification?
Contact our team directly to begin the certification process. We'll guide you through a gap analysis, application, and audit scheduling tailored to your organization's standard and scope.
Can we transfer our certificate from another certification body to TUV United?
Yes. Submit a completed application form along with your current valid certificate and the most recent audit report, and our team will review your transfer request.
What are surveillance audits, and when do they take place?
Two surveillance audits are required to maintain certification over a 3-year cycle: the first within 12 months of the initial certification audit, and the second within 12 months after that.
What happens if a surveillance audit isn't completed on time?
Certification is suspended if a surveillance audit is missed, and withdrawn if the issue isn't corrected within the specified timeframe.
What happens if non-conformities are raised during an audit?
Your organization will need to submit a root cause analysis along with corrections and corrective actions, which our auditors review and must accept before certification proceeds or continues.
Academy & Training
How do I decide which Academy course to take?
Review our course catalogue by ISO standard and training level. Official course types include Introduction, Foundation, Lead Implementer, Lead Auditor, and Management courses for each standard.
What is the difference between Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor courses?
Lead Implementer courses focus on building and implementing a management system within your organization. Lead Auditor courses focus on auditing existing management systems for effectiveness and compliance.
How are training skills evaluated?
Evaluation combines a live presentation or video recording assessed before approval, and course evaluation feedback from trainees after completion.
What does Academy training actually involve?
Our courses combine classroom exercises, real-world case discussions, observation, homework, and practical application — designed to build genuine auditing or implementation expertise, not just theoretical knowledge.