Surveillance audit: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)
A surveillance audit (French: audit de surveillance) is a periodic audit carried out by the certification body while an ISO 53001 certificate is valid. Under ISO/IEC 17021-1, it takes place at least once per calendar year, the first within 12 months of the certification decision, and covers part of the system.
Updated: · edition covered: ISO/UNDP 53001:2026
In an ISO/UNDP 53001 audit
It is shorter than the initial audit but is not a formality. Certain items are reviewed at every visit: how earlier nonconformities were handled, management review, internal audits, complaints, changes since the last visit and use of the certificate. The other requirements are spread across the visits of the cycle.
Progress on SDG objectives since the previous visit gets close attention. A surveillance audit missed beyond its deadline, or a major nonconformity left untreated, can lead to suspension, as explained on the suspension and withdrawal page. More on the ISO/UNDP 53001 standard.
Surveillance versus recertification
A surveillance audit maintains the certificate; it does not renew it. Its sample is narrower, and its conclusions feed a decision to maintain certification. Only the recertification audit, held in the third year, examines every requirement again and opens a new cycle.
See also
- Certification cycle: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)The certification cycle (French: *cycle de certification*) is the three-year period covered by an ISO 53001 certificate.
- Recertification audit: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)A recertification audit (French: *audit de renouvellement*) takes place before an ISO 53001 certificate expires, so that a decision can be made on renewing it for a further three-year cycle.
- Suspension: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)Suspension (French: *suspension*) is the temporary invalidation of an ISO 53001 certificate, decided by the certification body.
- Monitoring: definition (ISO/UNDP 53001)Monitoring (French: *surveillance*) means determining the status of a system, process or activity by observing, checking or recording information at defined intervals.