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Recertification at a Glance

Nov 05, 2025 Audit

How to Maintain the Validity of Your Certification

Certifications confirm the effectiveness of a management system, and serve as an important indicator of trust for customers and partners. To keep this confirmation valid over the long term, timely planning of the follow-up audit is essential. Continuous recertification ensures that processes remain effective, and that your company maintains its quality standards over time.

In this article, you will learn how recertification works and which steps contribute to a smooth and secure process.

The Difference From Initial Certification: What Changes?

During recertification, we assess your existing management system again before the three-year certificate cycle ends. This ensures that established processes remain effective and continue to comply with the relevant standard. Compared to the initial certification, the overall effort is typically lower, as recertification does not involve a two-stage procedure.

How Does Recertification Work?

Regardless of whether it concerns ISO 9001, ISO 27001, or another standard, the structure of the follow-up assessment is largely comparable to that of the initial certification. Differences arise only from the specific requirements of each standard, which we consider individually as part of the assessment.

Basic structure of the certification process:

1. Information (project discussion and preparation)
Clarifying framework conditions and preparing the process
2. Document review and audit planning
Reviewing documentation and planning of the audit
3. Audit
Practical on-site assessment of processes
4. Audit report and evaluation
Analysis of results and evaluation of management system effectiveness
5. Issuance of the certificate and seal
Certificate and seal are granted after successful evaluation
6. Annual monitoring audits
Regular monitoring of standard conformity
7. Recertification after three years
Renewal of the certification before the certificate expire

Successful Follow-Up Assessment: Plan Early, Gain Security

Thorough preparation is essential for a seamless transition between certification cycles. Early planning creates clear workflows, prevents bottlenecks, and ensures that deadlines and audit dates are manageable.
This maintains the validity of your certification without interruption, which is an important signal of stability, trust, and compliance. Forward-looking planning also fosters collaboration within the company and ensures audits are conducted efficiently and without unnecessary stress.

Expert Tips for Successful Recertification

  • Plan early: Ideally, schedule the audit four months before the certificate expires.
  • Use up-to-date information:Consider legal requirements, internal objectives, and external developments.
  • Review the management system: Ensure that organizational changes are reflected in the system.
  • Monitor standards: Regularly check for updates to relevant standards and adjust the documentation as needed.
Is your next assessment coming up? DEKRA ensures that your certification remains valid and compliant at all times​.
ISO 27001 Certification
ISO 27001 Certification
ISO 9001 Certification
ISO 9001 Certification
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