This page sets out what our certificates are and, just as importantly, what they are not. Last updated 31 October 2026.
We are not a certification body
Northbridge Accreditation Services coordinates certification programmes. Certification decisions and certificates are issued by an authorized certification body. We do not issue certificates, we do not sit on decision panels, and we cannot overturn a certification body’s decision.
We are not a government agency
ISO standards are developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization, which is a non-governmental organization. ISO certification is voluntary unless a contract, regulation or tender makes it a requirement. A certificate is not a government licence, permit or approval, and should never be described as one.
Accreditation statements
A certificate’s value depends on the accreditation of the body that issued it. We state the issuing body and its accreditation details on the certificate and in the public register. We do not claim accredited status for a standard or scope unless that accreditation has been verified, and we will provide written confirmation of the accreditation behind a specific certificate on request.
No guarantee of outcome
Certification depends on the evidence found at audit and on the certification body’s independent judgement. Nothing on this website, in a proposal or in correspondence constitutes a guarantee that certification will be granted, maintained or renewed.
Recognition is scope-specific
Recognition of a certificate by a customer, regulator or tender authority is not automatic. Some buyers require accreditation from a particular national body, or a specific sector scheme in addition to the ISO standard. Check the requirement before you commit, and tell us the clause so we can confirm what applies.
Verification results
Results on the verification page reflect the register at the time of the query. A “not found” result may mean the certificate was not issued through our register, the number was mistyped, or the certificate belongs to another body. It is not by itself proof of forgery — but if details do not match, do not rely on the certificate until you have written confirmation.
Third-party names
Client names appear in the register only after a certificate has been issued. Standards are referred to by their official designations, which remain the property of their publishers. References to accreditation bodies are descriptive and do not imply endorsement of Northbridge.
Contact
If anything on this site appears to overstate what a certificate means, tell us: info@theisocertification.com. We would rather correct it than leave the ambiguity in place.