3core2
3core² Certification Ltd is a UKAS- and IAS-accredited UK certification body providing impartial ISO management system certification, sector scheme certification, SOC 2/IMDA attestation, and ISO training courses to organisations of all sizes across all sectors, with primary UK focus and claimed worldwide reach.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersWarrington, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What 3core2 does
3core² Certification Ltd is a privately held, UK-based certification body founded in 2019 by Donn Houldsworth. The company holds UKAS accreditation (since 2022) and IAS accreditation (since 2021), positioning it as a recognised issuer of management system certificates trusted under the IAF MLA mutual recognition framework. Its core service is impartial, UKAS-accredited conformity assessment against internationally recognised ISO standards, delivered through a structured two-stage initial audit process followed by annual or six-monthly surveillance audits and a three-yearly recertification cycle. The certification portfolio spans ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security), ISO/IEC 20000-1 (IT Service Management), ISO 22301 (Business Continuity), ISO 13485 (Medical Devices), and emerging standards including ISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management Systems) and ISO 55001 (Asset Management), alongside sector-specific schemes (SSIP, BAFE SP101) and assurance services (SOC 2, IMDA). In March 2026, the company materially expanded its UKAS scope into additional mechanical and service sectors. The company also offers one-day introduction and two-day audit training courses against its main standards, and operates an online training certificate validation tool.
The business is monetised through recurring certification fees (initial audits, surveillance, recertification), one-time per-delegate training course fees, and ongoing scheme administration fees. Pricing is quote-based, with fees determined by scope, number of sites, and complexity. A distinctive commercial tactic is the free transfer from other certification bodies, which exploits the switching friction embedded in three-year certification cycles. The go-to-market combines a direct consultative sales motion for enterprise certification (website quote form, phone, email), a self-serve course calendar for individual training delegates, and an Affiliate Consultant Network that channels referrals from independent ISO consultants. Marketing is anchored on accreditation credentials, content marketing around ISO standard updates, LinkedIn thought leadership, and grassroots community sponsorship. The company is bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding rounds and reports 'thousands of satisfied customers' across all sectors and sizes, primarily in the UK with claimed worldwide reach.
3core2 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 3core2
- Legal name
- 3core² Certification Limited
- Website
- https://3core2.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 3core² Certification Ltd is a UKAS- and IAS-accredited UK certification body providing impartial ISO management system certification, sector scheme certification, SOC 2/IMDA attestation, and ISO training courses to organisations of all sizes across all sectors, with primary UK focus and claimed worldwide reach.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
3core2 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- ISO Certification Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Services, Nec (8900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Management System Certification (Food Safety + Quality/Environment/OHS) (AFALACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Pre-Assessment, Gap Assessment & Certification Readiness Services (AFALACAE)
Keywords
Where 3core2 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Warrington
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
3core2 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Certification Services (Initial, Surveillance, Recertification): 3core2 charges fees for initial certification assessments (Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits), annual or six-monthly surveillance audits, and three-yearly recertification audits. These fees are calculated based on the scope of certification, size and structure of the client organisation, number of sites, and complexity of activities. The company also offers free transfers from other certification bodies to attract new clients.
- ISO Training Courses: The company delivers paid training courses including one-day introduction courses and two-day audit training courses for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards. Courses are priced per delegate; payment is required in full at the time of booking. VAT is chargeable on all course fees.
- Scheme Administration Fees: Fees for ongoing scheme administration, including candidate company pre-certification, assessment, reassessment fees, and surveillance and recertification fees for certified companies. These are charged periodically as per the rolling annual contract terms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Certification quotation (custom per client) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ISO Training Courses (per delegate) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
3core2 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
3core2 is a UKAS-accredited and IAS-accredited independent certification body that conducts impartial ISO management systems certification audits (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001, 20000-1, 22301, 13485, and others) and sector schemes (SSIP, BAFE SP101). It also delivers paid one-day introduction and two-day audit training courses for ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 27001 delegates, structured as a two-stage initial certification audit with annual surveillance and three-year recertification cycles.
Product overview
3core2 is a UKAS-accredited and IAS-accredited certification body offering a comprehensive portfolio of ISO certification services and training programmes. The core offering consists of accredited management systems certification against internationally recognised ISO standards, including ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), ISO 45001 (Health & Safety), ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security), ISO/IEC 20000-1 (IT Service Management), ISO 22301 (Business Continuity), ISO 13485 (Medical Devices), and sector-specific schemes such as SSIP and BAFE SP101. Supporting the certification services, the company delivers a range of training courses including one-day introductions and two-day auditor training for the main ISO standards. The portfolio also includes assurance/attestation services such as SOC 2 and IMDA certification. Services are accessible through a straightforward application and assessment process, with Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits, annual surveillance, and three-year recertification cycles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ISO 9001:2015 (QMS) Certification UKAS-accredited Quality Management Systems certification service providing impartial and structured audits to assess how effectively organisations meet ISO 9001 requirements, offering robust, efficient quality management aligned to international best practice.
- ISO 14001:2015 (EMS) Certification Environmental Management Systems certification verifying that organisations' environmental management systems are effectively planned, implemented, and monitored, supporting demonstration of environmental stewardship.
- ISO 45001:2018 (OHSMS) Certification Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems certification providing impartial audits to evaluate the effectiveness of health and safety management systems against ISO 45001 requirements.
- ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (ISMS) Certification Information Security Management Systems certification performing rigorous audits to confirm that organisations' information security management systems meet ISO/IEC 27001 requirements, providing UKAS-accredited assurance.
- ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 (ITSMS) Certification IT Service Management Systems certification confirming conformance with ISO/IEC 20000-1, focusing on service planning, governance, monitoring, service levels, and operational controls.
- ISO 22301:2019 (BCMS) Certification Business Continuity Management Systems certification evaluating the maturity and effectiveness of organisational business continuity arrangements and preparedness for unexpected events.
- ISO 13485:2016 (MDQMS) Certification Medical Devices Quality Management Systems certification for organisations involved in design, production, installation, and servicing of medical devices, providing UKAS-accredited audits by assessors with technical and regulatory expertise.
- SSIP Certification Safety Schemes in Procurement certification providing independent assessment for organisations seeking SSIP approval, streamlining health and safety pre-qualification across the UK.
- BAFE SP101 Certification Certification demonstrating competence and compliance in the service and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers, verifying technician competency and organisational compliance with scheme requirements.
- SOC 2 Attestation SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 audits aligned with AICPA Trust Services Criteria, providing independent assurance of controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data.
- IMDA Attestation (Singapore) Independent assessments aligned with Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority requirements, helping organisations validate control environments for the Singaporean regulatory environment.
- ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 Introduction Training Courses One-day paid introduction training courses providing clear understanding of Quality, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems and their role in business performance, compliance, and continual improvement.
- ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 Two-Day Audit Training Courses Two-day paid audit training courses equipping participants with practical skills to conduct effective internal audits and drive continual improvement across Quality, Environmental, and Health & Safety management systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free transfer from other certification bodies — no transfer fee charged
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use 3core2
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
3core2 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
3core2 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Blackfriars FCminor3core2 is the exclusive sponsor of Blackfriars FC, a grassroots football club in Urmston, Greater Manchester. The company provides branded kits and community support to help create positive opportunities for young players and strengthen community sport at a local level. The partnership is built on shared values of teamwork, commitment, and continuous improvement, and reflects 3core2's commitment to community engagement through grassroots sport.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
3core2 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- DNV: DNV is a global certification body offering accredited ISO management system certification alongside maritime, energy, and digital solutions. Broad incumbent with strong ISO certification offering but diversified across many industry verticals beyond certification.
- Intertek: Intertek is a UK-headquartered global Total Quality Assurance provider offering ISO certification alongside product testing and inspection. Broad incumbent that overlaps with 3core2 in management system certification but operates at vastly greater scale.
- SGS: SGS is the world's largest testing, inspection and certification company, offering ISO management system certification among its broad portfolio. A broad incumbent operating globally with vastly greater scale than 3core2 but overlapping directly in ISO certification services.
- Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection and certification company offering ISO certification as part of a wider compliance and quality services portfolio. Broad incumbent with global scale, comparable ISO certification services but operating across many adjacent categories.
- TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a global technical service organisation offering ISO management system certification alongside testing, inspection, and product certification. Broad incumbent with comparable ISO certification services but much broader portfolio and global scale.
Direct peers
- QMS International: QMS International is a UK-based ISO certification body offering accredited certification services across multiple management system standards. Direct peer comparable in size, geography, and service offering to 3core2.
- BSI (British Standards Institution): BSI is the UK's national standards body and one of the world's largest certification bodies, offering UKAS-accredited ISO management system certification. Directly comparable to 3core2 as a UK-headquartered ISO certification body with overlapping standards portfolio, though far larger and more established.
- Alcumus ISOQAR: Alcumus ISOQAR is a UK-based UKAS-accredited ISO certification body offering management system certification to similar standards as 3core2 (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001). Closely comparable in scale, UK-centric geographic focus, and SMB/mid-market customer orientation.
- LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance): LRQA is a major UK-headquartered ISO certification body offering accredited certification across ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001 and more. Direct peer to 3core2 in management system certification, with comparable service model and UK-rooted geographic focus.
- Citation ISO: Citation ISO is a UK-based ISO certification body offering UKAS-accredited certification for ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 and other management system standards. Direct peer to 3core2 with comparable UK focus and similar target customer segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
3core2 social profiles
Digital presence3core2 compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
3core2 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
3core2 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
3core2 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
3core2 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 3core2
What does 3core2 do?
3core2 is a UKAS-accredited and IAS-accredited independent certification body that conducts impartial ISO management systems certification audits (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 27001, 20000-1, 22301, 13485, and others) and sector schemes (SSIP, BAFE SP101). It also delivers paid one-day introduction and two-day audit training courses for ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 27001 delegates, structured as a two-stage initial certification audit with annual surveillance and three-year recertification cycles.
Is 3core2 a public or private company?
3core2 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 3core2 founded?
3core2 was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 3core2 based?
3core2 is headquartered in Warrington, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does 3core2 make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Certification Services (Initial, Surveillance, Recertification) is the primary driver. The others are ISO Training Courses and scheme Administration Fees.
Who are 3core2's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are DNV, Intertek, SGS, Bureau Veritas and TÜV SÜD. Direct peers are QMS International, BSI (British Standards Institution), Alcumus ISOQAR, LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance) and Citation ISO.
Does 3core2 have an API?
No public API is recorded for 3core2.
What industry is 3core2 in?
3core2's product category is ISO Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALACAI, Integrated Management System Certification (Food Safety + Quality/Environment/OHS), with a secondary code of AFALACAE, Pre-Assessment, Gap Assessment & Certification Readiness Services. Its NAICS code is 54138 and its SIC code is 8900.