QMS International
QMS International is a UK-accredited ISO certification body, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Norwich. It certifies SMEs and mid-market firms across more than a dozen ISO standards via its Atlas cloud platform and a 60-strong nationwide consultant network, operating as part of the Citation Group.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersNorwich, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What QMS International does
QMS International, legally Citation ISO Certification Limited, is a UK-accredited ISO certification body founded in 1993 and headquartered in Norwich. The company audits and certifies UK businesses against more than a dozen international standards, including ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), ISO 22301 (Business Continuity), ISO 50001 (Energy), ISO 22000 (Food Safety), ISO 31000 (Risk), ISO 42001 (AI Management Systems), ISO 45003 (Psychosocial Risk), ISO 20000 (IT Service Management), and the UK government's Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus schemes. Accreditation is held through IRQAO and ASCB, with periodic ISO 17021 impartiality reviews. QMS operates as part of the Citation Group, a diversified UK compliance conglomerate that also houses iHasco, Citation Cyber, FCB, SMAS, HSD, uCheck, Timetastic and other compliance brands.
The company's core differentiator is the Atlas cloud-based platform, which centralises documentation, project management, gap analysis, task tracking, and a template library for clients pursuing ISO certification. Atlas is bundled into the annual certification fee at no incremental cost, alongside a fee calculator that generates instant bespoke quotes online. Revenue is structured around three streams: recurring annual ISO certification fees (covering gap analysis, implementation support, surveillance visits, and a 3-year recertification cycle), training (in-person courses plus the ISOMentor virtual training workshop launched in 2024), and implementation consultancy delivered by a nationwide network of over 60 consultants and auditors.
QMS serves primarily UK small and medium-sized enterprises across verticals such as manufacturing, transport and logistics, IT, construction, care/home care, and food. Distribution is hybrid: a website-led self-service funnel supported by SEO, content marketing, webinars, and a Feefo-reviewed fee calculator handles SMB demand, while inside sales and field consultants manage mid-market and enterprise relationships. Pricing is quote-based, set by business size and process complexity, with the typical certification achievable in as little as 45 days.
QMS International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- QMS International
- Legal name
- Citation ISO Certification Limited
- Website
- https://qmsuk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- QMS International is a UK-accredited ISO certification body, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Norwich. It certifies SMEs and mid-market firms across more than a dozen ISO standards via its Atlas cloud platform and a 60-strong nationwide consultant network, operating as part of the Citation Group.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
QMS International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- ISO Certification Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quality Management Systems (QMS) & ISO Training (ISO 9001/IATF/AS9100) (EDABAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Testing, QA & Release/Deployment Enablement (BPAEAAAN), QA, Test Automation & Software Quality (Manual/Automated Testing, Performance) (EDABAFAL), Quality Engineering & Test Automation (QE/QA) (BPAEAFAJ), Quality Management Systems (QMS) & GxP Documentation (HLAGAKAD)
Keywords
Where QMS International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Norwich
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
QMS International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- ISO Certification Services: Annual ISO certification fees covering the certification cycle, surveillance audits, and recertification audits. Fee is determined by business size and current processes.
- ISO Training Courses: In-depth, bespoke training courses including ISO 9001, ISO 14001 training. Choose from 1, 2 or 3-day courses covering latest developments across various ISO Standards.
- ISOMentor Virtual Training: Virtual training workshop designed and delivered by ISO experts.
- ISO Consultancy: Consultancy services for ISO implementation including gap analysis, documentation, and ongoing support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual ISO certification fee with all-inclusive access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
QMS International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
QMS International (operating as Citation ISO Certification) is a UK-accredited certification body that assesses and audits businesses against ISO standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, and others. It complements certification with nationwide consultancy (gap analysis, implementation support) delivered by 60+ consultants and auditors, virtual training workshops (ISOMentor), and the Atlas cloud-based management system platform included with annual certification fees.
Product overview
QMS International (Citation ISO Certification) offers a comprehensive ISO certification and management platform portfolio. The core offering centers on the Atlas cloud-based platform, which provides an all-in-one management system for document control, task tracking, and compliance management included with annual certification fees. Around this platform, the company delivers ISO certification services for 12+ standards (ISO 9001, 27001, 14001, 45001, 22301, 50001, 20000, 22000, 31000, 42001, 45003, and Cyber Essentials), supported by nationwide consultancy with over 60 consultants and auditors. The ISOMentor virtual training workshop provides expert-led courses in 1-3 day formats. A fee calculator and gap analysis tool enable self-service quoting and initial assessments, while certificate verification provides authenticity checks. The company operates a 3-step certification process (gap analysis, implementation, certification) with a 3-year certification cycle including annual surveillance audits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ISO Certification Services Accredited certification body providing assessments and audits against ISO standards including ISO 9001, ISO 27001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22301, ISO 50001, ISO 20000, ISO 22000, ISO 31000, ISO 42001, ISO 45003, and Cyber Essentials / Cyber Essentials Plus. For UK businesses seeking third-party validation of management systems.
- ISO Consultancy Nationwide consultancy with over 60 consultants and auditors providing gap analysis, implementation support, documented management system creation, and audit preparation. For UK businesses preparing for ISO certification.
- Atlas Platform Interactive cloud-based platform providing access to management system documentation, project management tools, task tracking, template library, gap analysis reports, tutorial videos, and compliance support. Included in the annual ISO certification fee. For certified clients managing their documentation and tasks.
- ISOMentor Virtual Training Virtual training workshop delivered by ISO experts offering 1, 2, or 3-day courses covering ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and other ISO standards. For businesses needing structured training on ISO implementation and updates.
- Fee Calculator Online instant quote tool allowing businesses to calculate certification costs based on product of interest, company turnover, sector, staff numbers, and number of offices.
- Certificate Verification Service allowing verification of certification validity and authenticity for certified clients, enabling third parties to confirm a company's ISO certification status.
Quantifiable outcome
- Certification in as little as 45 days
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use QMS International
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
QMS International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
QMS International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- FeefominorFeefo is a customer review platform that provides independent reviews for Citation ISO Certification, helping potential customers make informed decisions based on verified customer feedback.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
QMS International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BSI Group: BSI is the UK's national standards body and one of the world's largest ISO certification organizations. It directly competes with QMS International across ISO 9001/14001/27001 certification for UK enterprises while also operating globally with a much wider standards portfolio.
- LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance): LRQA is a major global certification body delivering ISO management system audits, training, and consultancy. It overlaps with QMS International on ISO 9001/14001/45001/27001 but targets larger enterprise clients and operates internationally.
- DNV (Det Norske Veritas): DNV is a global certification and assurance provider offering ISO management system certification alongside broader testing, inspection, and certification services. It is comparable to QMS International as a multi-standard accredited certification body serving UK and international clients.
- Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) company with a substantial ISO management system certification practice. It competes with QMS International on ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 27001 certification, but operates at much larger scale across many geographies.
- SGS: SGS is the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification company with extensive ISO certification offerings. It overlaps directly with QMS International in ISO management system audits but serves enterprise and global clients rather than focusing on the UK SME segment.
Direct peers
- Alcumus ISO Certification: Alcumus is a UK-based compliance and certification provider offering ISO certification, consultancy, and training to UK businesses. It directly competes with QMS International in the same UK SME ISO certification market with a similar accreditation-backed service model.
- ISO Quality Services (IQS):
Others
- Citation Group (parent entity peers via SMAS Works): SMAS Works, part of the same Citation Group as QMS International, provides SSIP health and safety accreditation and is a sister brand. It is comparable as a UK accreditation and compliance body serving construction and SME contractors.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
QMS International social profiles
Digital presenceQMS International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance14 records
QMS International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
QMS International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
QMS International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
QMS International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about QMS International
What does QMS International do?
QMS International (operating as Citation ISO Certification) is a UK-accredited certification body that assesses and audits businesses against ISO standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, and others. It complements certification with nationwide consultancy (gap analysis, implementation support) delivered by 60+ consultants and auditors, virtual training workshops (ISOMentor), and the Atlas cloud-based management system platform included with annual certification fees.
Is QMS International a public or private company?
QMS International is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was QMS International founded?
QMS International was founded in 1993. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is QMS International based?
QMS International is headquartered in Norwich, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does QMS International make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. ISO Certification Services are the primary driver. The others are ISO Training Courses, ISOMentor Virtual Training and ISO Consultancy.
Who are QMS International's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BSI Group, LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance), DNV (Det Norske Veritas), Bureau Veritas and SGS. Direct peers are Alcumus ISO Certification and ISO Quality Services (IQS). Citation Group (parent entity peers via SMAS Works) is listed as an others.
Does QMS International have an API?
No public API is recorded for QMS International.
What industry is QMS International in?
QMS International's product category is ISO Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABAKAD, Quality Management Systems (QMS) & ISO Training (ISO 9001/IATF/AS9100), with a secondary code of BPAEAAAN, Testing, QA & Release/Deployment Enablement. Its NAICS code is 54138 and its SIC code is 8734.