Certification decision: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)
A certification decision (French: décision de certification) is the act by which a certification body grants, refuses, maintains, renews, suspends or withdraws an ISO 53001 certificate. Under ISO/IEC 17021-1 it is taken by people who did not carry out the audit, on the basis of the report and the organisation's actions.
Updated: · edition covered: ISO/UNDP 53001:2026
In an ISO/UNDP 53001 audit
Separating audit from decision protects the objectivity of the outcome. Decision-makers review the report, the findings, the corrective action plan for minor nonconformities and the evidence of closure for major ones. They can ask the audit team for more information, or even request an additional audit.
The auditor makes a recommendation, which does not bind the decision-maker. An organisation that disputes a decision can appeal under a public procedure. See the certification process, complaints and appeals and the ISO/UNDP 53001 standard.
Timing and possible outcomes
Gardiant Certification sets itself a maximum of three weeks between the end of the audit and the decision. The outcomes are few: at initial certification, grant or refuse, with a major nonconformity holding the decision until it is closed; later in the cycle, maintain, renew, suspend, reduce the scope or withdraw. Each decision is notified in writing, with its grounds.
See also
- Certification audit: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)A certification audit (French: *audit de certification*) is the initial audit through which a certification body checks that an SDG management system meets ISO 53001 before a first certification decision.
- Impartiality: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)Impartiality (French: *impartialité*) means that a certification body assesses and decides objectively, without its judgements being swayed by commercial, financial or personal interests.
- Major nonconformity: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)A major nonconformity (French: *non-conformité majeure*) is a lapse that undermines the ability of the SDG management system to achieve its intended results.
- Withdrawal: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)Withdrawal (French: *retrait*) is the permanent cancellation of an ISO 53001 certificate by the certification body.