Question 1

How quickly can you perform a Gap Analysis?

Accepted Answer

We agree a date with you on the first call, usually within a few weeks of your enquiry. The on-site work takes 1-2 days depending on complexity, and the written action plan follows within five working days.

Question 2

Do you only work with manufacturing companies?

Accepted Answer

We work for UK manufacturers in chemical and advanced manufacturing: fuel cells and clean energy, passive fire protection, polymers and composites, coatings and paints, speciality chemicals, lubricants, and adhesives and sealants. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 apply to any organisation, so if you are outside these sectors, ask us and we will say whether we are a good fit.

Question 3

What happens if we have a Major Non-Conformance?

Accepted Answer

A major nonconformity is common and can be closed. We help you carry out the root cause analysis, put in place a fix that addresses the cause, and gather the evidence your certification body (for example BSI, SGS or NQA) needs to close the finding.

Question 4

Are your internal audits recognised by certification bodies?

Accepted Answer

Internal audits are required by clause 9.2 of both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, and your certification body reviews your internal audit programme and its records during its own audit. Our internal audits are first- or second-party audits: they get you ready for the certification body's audit and don't replace it.

Question 5

What are your fees for ISO consulting?

Accepted Answer

Our consultancy fees are fixed and published on this site: a gap analysis and an audit day each have a set price, and Internal Audit Cover is a fixed monthly fee. The certification body's own fees are separate.

Question 6

Do you help with both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many of our potential clients integrate both Quality (9001) and Environmental (14001) management systems. Since the standards share a common structure (Annex SL), we can often audit both simultaneously, saving you time and disruption.

Question 7

How much does ISO 9001 certification cost in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Two costs are involved. Our consultancy fees are fixed and published: an ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 gap analysis is £650, internal audit days are £650 (£375 for a remote half-day), our Audit Rescue package is £1,200, and Internal Audit Cover starts at £220 a month. The certification body's own fees (BSI, NQA, SGS and others) are separate and depend on your company's size and scope. We help you scope and compare those quotes so there are no surprises.

Question 8

How long does ISO 9001 certification take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how mature your existing processes are, which is exactly what a gap analysis establishes. We agree a date for your gap analysis on the first call, and the written action plan follows within five working days. From there, the timeline to your certification body's Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits is driven by how quickly the actions are closed. The gap report gives you a realistic, prioritised schedule rather than a guess.

Question 9

What is ISO 9001 and does my company need it?

Accepted Answer

ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems. Certification is voluntary, but many UK manufacturers pursue it because larger customers and public-sector tenders increasingly require it from suppliers. For chemicals, adhesives and sealants manufacturers it also provides the process discipline that regulators and customer audits expect. If you're unsure whether it's worth it, start with a free 30-minute readiness review against ISO 9001:2026 or ISO 14001:2026: you keep a one-page note of where your gaps are, whether or not you use us.

Question 10

What is the difference between ISO 9001 and ISO 14001?

Accepted Answer

ISO 9001 covers quality management: how you consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. ISO 14001 covers environmental management: how you control and reduce your environmental impact. They share the same Annex SL structure, so much of the documentation and auditing overlaps; we frequently implement and audit both together, which cuts cost and disruption compared with running them separately.

Question 11

Who will do the work?

Accepted Answer

Teresa Girasoli, chemical engineer, AMIChemE, does the work herself. She has passed the CQI and IRCA certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor course, is a trained ISO 14001 internal auditor, and has around 200 hours as lead auditor on first- and second-party audits in manufacturing. Our mock audits and gap analyses are first- or second-party audits: they get you ready for your certification body's audit and don't replace it.

ISO 9001 & ISO 14001: Frequently Asked Questions

ISO Compliance Explained