Standards and certificates are closely connected, but they serve different purposes. While EVS develops and distributes standards, we do not issue certificates.
What is a standard?
A standard is a document that sets out agreed requirements, specifications or guidelines to ensure that materials, products, processes or services are fit for purpose. In many cases, a company can demonstrate that it meets the requirements of a standard through a self-declaration of conformity.
However, in certain cases, a neutral and independent certification body, must assess and confirm that a product, component or service meets the criteria of a standard.
Example: ISO 9001 specifies requirements for a quality management system. Organisations can use this standard to improve their processes and demonstrate quality.
What is a certificate?
Certification is the process in which an independent third party confirms that an organisation, product, or service meets the requirements of a specific standard. As a result, a certification body issues a certificate. Certification is a valuable way to build credibility, showing that your product, service or management system meets the expectations of your customers and stakeholders. In some industries, certification is a legal requirement that ensures trust, compliance and access to the market.
In short, standardisation organisations (like EVS) prepare and distribute the standard (the requirements) and certification bodies provide the certificate (the confirmation of compliance).
Example: An ISO 9001 certificate demonstrates that an organisation’s quality management system is designed to meet the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard.
Standards provide the common language and requirements that allow certification bodies to evaluate compliance objectively. The concept of certification is formally defined in ISO/IEC 17000:2020 – it explains key terms like certification, attestation and conformity assessment.
| Standard | Certificate |
|---|---|
| Document with agreed requirements | Written assurance of compliance |
| Published by a standardisation organisation | Issued by a certification body |
| Used as guidance or requirement | Proves conformity with the standard |
EVS helps organisations access the standards they need – including those used for certification. Whether your goal is to achieve certification to ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO/IEC 27001 (information security) or ISO 22000 (food safety management), it all starts with understanding and using the right standard.
You can browse and purchase relevant standards at our e-shop.