QMS International

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.

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

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

• ISO certification services
• Management system auditing
• Compliance consultancy
• Quality management systems
• Information security certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Norwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. ISOMentor Virtual Training: Virtual training workshop designed and delivered by ISO experts.
4. ISO Consultancy: Consultancy services for ISO implementation including gap analysis, documentation, and ongoing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers18 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FeefominorOthersFeefo 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

Broad 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/CitationISOCertification
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qms-international-plc
• Xx.com/qmsint

Compliance14 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about QMS International