The Certification Group

What The Certification Group does

The Certification Group Limited is a UK-registered independent certification body (Companies House Registration Number 10104589) headquartered in Eastbourne, East Sussex, that has been operating under the Certification Group brand since 1996. Its core offering is third-party ISO management-system certification across five standards — ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management) — plus Remote Technical Standards (RTS) security audits for UK Gambling Commission-licensed remote gambling operators. The business operates under ISO/IEC 17021:2015 with ongoing independent surveillance by the Accreditation Service for Certifying Bodies (ASCB), and its audit and consultancy work is delivered by IRCA Lead Auditor-certified staff with sector experience spanning defence, education, food production, trades and aerospace.

The company's revenue model is built on custom-quoted, multi-year certification engagements, with fees tied to client size, number of employees, sites and complexity of management system, plus a portfolio of ancillary services: gap analysis, pre-audit checks, implementation consultancy, familiarisation and transition training, internal-audit outsourcing and a "Transfer To Us" switch-in service. Pricing is bespoke, non-refundable and subject to 14-day invoice terms, reflecting a project-based professional services motion rather than subscription or transactional revenue. Go-to-market is sales-led: inbound enquiries arrive via website quotation forms, SEO-oriented educational content and direct phone contact, then progress through application, quotation, signed contract and either on-site or remote audits. The company serves organisations of varied sizes across multiple sectors, with no named anchor customers disclosed and a vertically aligned specialised segment for UK-regulated gambling operators.

The Certification Group is privately held with no disclosed institutional capital, funding rounds or M&A history. Domestic operations are concentrated in its Eastbourne office, while international expansion is executed through an asset-light approved-agent model — most notably Gibson Safety Consult in Takoradi, Ghana — as part of a stated globalisation programme targeting West African markets. The model is bootstrapped and operationally lean, with the West Africa footprint representing the principal evidence of geographic expansion beyond the UK.

Name

The Certification Group

Legal name

The Certification Group Limited

Website

https://thecertificationgroup.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Certification Group Limited is a UK-registered independent ISO certification body, established in 1996 and headquartered in Eastbourne, that audits and certifies organisations against ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, 45001 and 50001, plus RTS audits for UK remote gambling operators, using IRCA Lead Auditor-certified staff under ASCB accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ISO Management System Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Services, Nec (8900)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification Program Administration & Scheme Management (Standard Owners) (AFALACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pre-Assessment, Gap Assessment & Certification Readiness Services (AFALACAE), Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)

Keywords

• ISO management certification
• ISO 9001 quality management
• Information security certification
• Occupational health safety certification
• Gambling compliance audits

Headquarters

HQ city

Eastbourne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Audits: Fees for conducting certification audits including Stage 1 documentation review, Stage 2 implementation evaluation, surveillance audits, and recertification assessments. Fees are quoted based on client size, number of employees, and number of sites.
2. RTS Security Audits: Annual security audits for remote gambling operators required by the Gambling Commission. Conducted to Remote Technical Standards (RTS) based on ISO 27001 framework.
3. Consultancy Services: Bespoke consultancy services including implementation of ISO management systems, provision of documentation and templates, pre-assessment, familiarisation training, and transition training.
4. Training Services: Training courses including ISO familiarisation training, transition training for standards updates, and internal audit training. Training delivered at client premises or organised training events.
5. Gap Analysis: Assessment of management systems to identify omissions in relation to management standards requirements, with full gap-analysis report issued.
6. Pre-Audit Checks: Documentation review and process checks to ensure management system meets requirements before formal certification audit.
7. Internal Audits: External resource provision for conducting mandatory internal audits for organisations. Audits conducted by qualified Lead auditors who are competent and impartial.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Certification Group is a UK-based independent certification body that issues ISO management system certifications (ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, 45001, 50001) and conducts Remote Technical Standards (RTS) security audits for UK Gambling Commission licensed remote operators. Audits are delivered on-site or remotely by IRCA Lead Auditor-qualified staff, with the firm conforming to ISO/IEC 17021:2015 and accredited by ASCB. Complementary services include consultancy, gap analysis, pre-audit checks, internal audits, and three training courses supporting clients through certification and maintenance.

Product overview

The Certification Group is a registered independent certification body providing ISO certification services. The offering consists of core certification products covering five main ISO standards (ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 27001 Information Security, ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety, and ISO 50001 Energy Management) plus RTS audits for remote gambling operators. These core products are supported by a portfolio of add-on services including Gap Analysis, Pre Audit Checks, Consultancy, and Internal Audits. Training services (ISO Familiarisation Training, Transition Training, Internal Audit Training) complement the certification offering. A West Africa Office extends services internationally through approved agents. The company delivers both on-site and remote audit services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Certification Quality management system certification that demonstrates an organisation's commitment to quality output of services and products, helping win contracts, qualify as a preferred supplier, improve management processes, and gain competitive advantage.
• ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Certification Environmental management system certification demonstrating commitment to controlling environmental impacts and compliance with environmental legislation.
• ISO 27001 Information Security Management Certification Information security management system certification for organisations handling sensitive data, protecting against security threats, and demonstrating data protection awareness to reduce risk of hacking and online attacks.
• ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Certification Occupational health and safety management system certification covering risk assessment, hazard management, performance monitoring, and training requirements, incorporating quality aspects aligned with ISO 9001.
• ISO 50001 Energy Management Certification Energy management system certification that helps organisations establish processes to monitor energy use, identify efficiency improvements, and reduce energy consumption and costs while cutting carbon emissions.
• Remote Technical Standards (RTS) Security Audits Annual security audits for remote gambling operators (betting, casino, bingo, external lottery managers and society lotteries), based on ISO 27001 and required by the UK Gambling Commission to maintain licensing compliance.
• Certification Audits On-site or remote evaluation of management systems against ISO standards, including Stage 1 documentation review, Stage 2 implementation assessment, surveillance audits, and recertification, priced by client size and complexity.
• Gap Analysis Assessment of an organisation's management system against standard requirements to identify omissions and produce a full gap-analysis report indicating needed improvements.
• Pre-Audit Checks Documentation review and process checks performed prior to the certification audit to confirm readiness and identify any non-conformities ahead of formal assessment.
• Consultancy Services Bespoke consultancy supporting implementation of ISO management systems, including documentation templates, pre-assessment, and standard-specific training.
• ISO Familiarisation Training Training delivered on-site or at organised events to help organisations understand ISO standard requirements and how they apply to their specific context.
• Transition Training Training to help certified organisations transition from older ISO standard versions to newer versions as standards evolve.
• Internal Audit Training Training courses for internal auditors covering standard requirements and the fundamentals of internal auditing, including audit planning, reporting, and nonconformity identification.
• Internal Audits External resource service delivering internal audits for organisations, conducted by qualified Lead auditors to ensure competence and impartiality in meeting internal audit requirements.
• Transfer To Us Service to facilitate transfer of an existing ISO certification from another certification body to The Certification Group.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organisations can qualify as preferred suppliers when tendering
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Accreditation Service for Certifying Bodies (ASCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCB is the external accreditation body that conducts regular, independent assessment of The Certification Group's operations to verify compliance with ISO/IEC 17021:2015. The company undergoes routine surveillance and reassessment of auditing practices to ensure they operate in accordance with standard requirements. This accreditation provides assurance that audits are conducted effectively, professionally, and impartially.
• Gibson Safety Consult (Harrison Kofi Gibson)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproved agent operating as West Africa Office, providing consultation, accredited audit, and certification services to businesses in West Africa. Located in Takoradi, Ghana. Part of The Certification Group's programmed globalisation project to expand certification services into West African markets.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• LRQA (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance): LRQA is a global certification body providing ISO management system certification, training, and assurance services across multiple standards. It competes with The Certification Group for UK enterprise ISO work while also serving a much broader international client base.
• TÜV SÜD Management Service: TÜV SÜD is a major global certification body delivering ISO 9001/14001/27001/45001/50001 certification and related training. It competes with The Certification Group for UK and international enterprise clients seeking accredited ISO certification.
• Bureau Veritas Certification: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC major offering ISO certification alongside a much wider inspection, testing, and compliance portfolio. It is a relevant incumbent competitor for UK mid-market and enterprise ISO engagements.
• BSI (British Standards Institution): BSI is the UK's national standards body and one of the largest global certification bodies, offering the same core ISO certifications (9001, 14001, 27001, 45001) and training. It is the most natural incumbent comparison for The Certification Group's UK ISO certification book.
• SGS UK: SGS is one of the world's largest TIC groups, offering ISO management system certification alongside a much broader inspection and testing portfolio. It is a broad incumbent comparable in standards scope and enterprise customer targeting.
• DNV - Business Assurance: DNV is a global certification body offering ISO management system certification, training, and assurance services. It is a broad incumbent comparable in standards coverage and enterprise sales motion to The Certification Group.

Direct peers

• Alcumus ISOQAR: Alcumus ISOQAR is a UK-based certification body delivering ISO management system certifications across quality, environmental, health and safety, and information security, supported by consultancy and training — closely mirroring The Certification Group's service mix.
• NQA (National Quality Assurance): NQA is a UK-based, UKAS-accredited certification body offering ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, 45001, and 50001 certification plus training and consultancy. It is one of the closest direct mid-market competitors to The Certification Group in scope and geography.
• QMS International: QMS International is a UK-based certification body providing ISO certification, training, and consultancy to SMEs. It directly overlaps with The Certification Group in target customer, geography, and standards coverage.
• Citation ISO Certification: Citation ISO Certification is a UK-focused certification body offering ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 27001 certification with strong SME positioning. It is a direct mid-market competitor with a similar service portfolio and UK geographic focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/snrcert
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-certification-group-limited

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 The Certification Group