What is a multisite ISO certification?

Multisite certification for ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards is a streamlined approach for organizations with multiple locations to achieve ISO certification efficiently. It allows the organization to be certified under a single certificate that covers all its sites, provided they meet specific criteria. Here’s how it works.

Multisite-certificate and Sub-certificate

For organizations with multiple sites undergoing multisite certification, the certificate issued is typically referred to as a multisite certificate. However, each individual site or subsidiary can be provided with a sub-certificate or site-specific certificate. 

Multisite-certificate:

• This is the primary certificate that covers the entire organization, including all its sites.
• It indicates that the organization as a whole meets the requirements of the ISO standard.

Sub-certificate or Site-Specific certificate:

• These are issued to individual sites or subsidiaries under the umbrella of the multisite certificate.
• They detail that the specific site or subsidiary conforms to the ISO standard as part of the overall multisite certification.
• They usually reference the main multisite certificate and indicate the relationship to the central management system.

Criteria for Multisite certification

1. Centralized Management System:
   • The organization must have a centralized management system that governs all the sites.
   • There should be a central function responsible for the overall system management, planning, and control.
2. Similar Activities:
   • The sites must perform similar activities and processes under the same management system.
   • The standard applies uniformly across all sites.
3. Internal Audits:
   • Internal audits must be conducted at all sites to ensure compliance with the ISO standard.
   • The central function should ensure that audit results are communicated and addressed across all locations.
4. Corrective Actions:
   • There must be a consistent approach to corrective actions across all sites.
   • Centralized tracking and verification of the implementation of corrective actions should be in place.

Process of Multisite certification

1. Application and Planning:
   • The organization applies for multisite certification, providing details of all the sites and the scope of activities.
   • The certification body reviews the application to confirm eligibility for multisite certification.
2. Sampling Plan:
   • A sampling plan is developed to determine which sites will be audited.
   • Not all sites need to be audited individually. A representative sample is selected based on factors like size, complexity, and past performance.
3. Initial Certification Audit:
   • The central function and a sample of sites are audited to assess compliance with the ISO standard.
   • The audit includes reviewing documentation, management reviews, internal audits, and corrective actions.
4. Surveillance Audits:
   • Regular surveillance audits are conducted on a sample of sites to ensure ongoing compliance.
   • The sampling plan may be adjusted based on the results of previous audits.
5. Re-Certification Audits:
   • At the end of the certification cycle (usually three years), a re-certification audit is conducted.
   • This audit involves a thorough review of the central function and a new sample of sites.

Benefits of Multisite certification

• Cost Efficiency:
  • Reduced auditing costs as fewer site-specific audits are needed.
  • Centralized audits can save time and resources.
• Consistent Standards:
  • Ensures uniform application of the management system across all sites.
  • Enhances the overall quality and performance of the organization.
• Simplified Certification Process:
  • Streamlines the certification process by handling multiple sites under one certification.
  • Simplifies documentation and reporting requirements.

Challenges and considerations

• Complexity of Coordination:
  • Requires effective communication and coordination across all sites.
  • The central function must be robust to manage the complexities of multisite operations.
• Risk of Non-Compliance:
  • Non-compliance at one site can impact the certification of the entire organization.
  • Continuous monitoring and corrective actions are crucial to maintain compliance.

In summary, multisite certification for ISO standards allows organizations with multiple locations to achieve certification more efficiently by leveraging a centralized management system and conducting audits on a representative sample of sites. This approach provides cost savings, consistency, and streamlined processes, though it requires robust coordination and management to ensure compliance across all locations.