Which ISO standards are most useful for charities and non-profits?

Commonly adopted standards include ISO 9001 (quality), ISO/IEC 27001 (information security), ISO 22301 (business continuity), ISO 20121 (sustainable events), and ISO 37001 (anti-bribery). All are applicable to organizations of any size or sector

How does a charity get ISO certified?

Implement the chosen standard, run internal audits and a management review, then complete a two-stage external audit (Stage 1 readiness, Stage 2 implementation) with an accredited certification body. ISO itself does not certify organizations

Are small or volunteer-led NGOs eligible for ISO certification?

Yes. ISO confirms management-system standards can be implemented by organizations of any size; ISO 9001 is for “organizations of all sizes and sectors

Which ISO standard fits our fundraising events and campaigns?

ISO 20121 provides a framework for running sustainable events, widely used to manage social, environmental and economic impacts of events of any size

Is ISO certification mandatory for charities?

No. ISO standards are voluntary unless a law, regulator or contract requires certification. ISO develops the standards; certification is performed by independent accredited bodies

Which standard should we use to protect donor and beneficiary data?

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the global ISMS standard; it helps organizations manage information-security risks and strengthen resilience and trust

What is ISO 37001 and why is it relevant to charities?

ISO 37001 is the anti-bribery management systems standard. It helps prevent, detect and respond to bribery across public, private and not-for-profit sectors—useful where grantmaking, procurement or fundraising involve higher corruption risk

Can we be certified to ISO 26000 (social responsibility)?

No. ISO 26000 is guidance only and is not intended or appropriate for certification

How long does ISO certification last, and what are surveillance audits?

Most ISO management-system certificates run on a three-year cycle with annual surveillance audits, followed by a recertification audit at the end of year three

How can we verify a supplier’s or partner’s ISO certificate?

Use IAF CertSearch to confirm the certificate, the issuing certification body, and its accreditation status with an IAF signatory

ISO Certifications for Charities and Non-Profit Organizations, Requirements and Benefits

Quick Summary

"Charities and non-profits are increasingly turning to ISO certifications to reinforce their quality, transparency, and accountability. Standards like ISO 9001 streamline operations and enhance donor and beneficiary satisfaction, ISO 14001 supports environmental stewardship, ISO 45001 ensures safety for staff and volunteers, ISO 26000 guides social responsibility, and ISO 37001 demonstrates commitment to ethical conduct and anti-bribery. Achieving certification involves establishing policies, conducting audits, and aligning systems with recognized frameworks. These efforts help non-profits build trust, improve performance, uphold governance, and elevate credibility with donors, partners, and communities—particularly important in a sector where integrity and impact matter most."

Introduction

ISO certifications can provide significant benefits for charities and non-profit organizations by ensuring quality, transparency, and accountability in their operations. ISO 9001 for Quality Management Systems helps non-profits align processes, improve service delivery, and increase donor and beneficiary satisfaction.

ISO 14001 for Environmental Management is valuable for non-profits focused on sustainability, helping them reduce their environmental impact through responsible resource management. Additionally, ISO 27001 for Information Security Management is crucial for protecting sensitive donor, volunteer, and beneficiary data, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

These certifications help charities build trust, improve performance, and increase credibility with donors, partners, and the community.

For ISO certification support, contact support@pacificcert.com.

Applicable ISO Standards for Charities and Non-Profit Organizations

ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management Systems

ISO 9001 is the world's most recognized quality management system standard. It provides a framework for improving quality and ensuring that organizations meet the needs of their stakeholders.

ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management Systems

ISO 14001 helps organizations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, this standard is particularly relevant for Non Profit with a focus on environmental issues or those looking to reduce their environmental impact.

ISO 45001:2018 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

ISO 45001 provides a framework for managing occupational health and safety risks, for Non-profit organizations, this certification ensures a safe working environment for employees and volunteers, which is critical for their wellbeing and productivity.

ISO 26000 provides guidance on how organizations can operate in a socially responsible way. It is particularly beneficial for Non-profit organizations focused on social responsibility and sustainable development.

ISO 37001:2016 - Anti-Bribery Management Systems

ISO 37001 helps organizations prevent, detect, and respond to bribery. For charities, implementing this standard demonstrates a commitment to ethical practices and enhances trust among stakeholders.

Click here to find out more applicable standards to your industry

How Pacific Certifications can help?

We at Pacific specialize in providing auditing and certification services for various ISO standards. Our role is to ensure that your organization meets the rigorous requirements of these international standards, thereby enhancing your credibility and operational efficiency.

Certification Process

Initial Assessment: We conduct an initial assessment to understand your organization's processes and identify areas for improvement.
Auditing: Our team of experienced auditors performs a thorough examination of your organization's practices against the relevant ISO standards. This involves reviewing documentation, conducting interviews, and observing operations.
Certification Decision: Based on the audit findings, we determine if your organization meets the required standards. If successful, we issue the ISO certification.
Ongoing Surveillance: To maintain certification, we conduct periodic surveillance audits to ensure continued compliance with ISO standards. It helps your organization stay on track and continuously improve.

Market Trends

In this year, the Non-profit sector continues to embrace ISO certifications as a means to enhance transparency and operational efficiency. Recently there is a growing trend among charities to adopt ISO 9001 and ISO 37001 standards to build donor confidence and mitigate risks associated with fraud and corruption.

Achieving ISO certification can significantly benefit Non-profit organizations by enhancing their credibility, improving operational efficiency, and gaining the trust of stakeholders.

For more information on how we can assist with your ISO certification needs, please contact us at support@pacificcert.com!

Requirements of ISO certifications for Charity and Non-profit Organizations

Requirements for ISO Certifications are given below:

ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management Systems Requirements:

Establish a quality policy that aligns with the organization's mission and objectives.
Maintain documented information to support the operation of processes and demonstrate compliance.
Top management must demonstrate leadership and commitment to the quality management system.
Identify and address risks and opportunities that can affect the conformity of products and services.
Monitor, measure, analyze, and evaluate the performance of the quality management system.
Implement processes for continual improvement of the quality management system.

ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management Systems Requirements:

Develop an environmental policy that includes a commitment to compliance and continual improvement.
Identify and evaluate the environmental aspects and impacts of the organization's activities.
Determine compliance obligations and ensure they are met.
Set environmental objectives and develop plans to achieve them.
Implement controls to manage significant environmental aspects.
Monitor, measure, and evaluate environmental performance.

ISO 45001:2018 - Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Requirements:

Establish a health and safety policy that demonstrates commitment to a safe working environment.
Identify and assess workplace hazards and risks.
Ensure compliance with health and safety laws and regulations.
Set and pursue objectives to improve health and safety performance.
Implement measures to control health and safety risks.
Provide training and ensure awareness of health and safety practices.
Develop and maintain procedures for emergency response.

Adhere to principles such as accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, and respect for stakeholder interests.
Engage with stakeholders to understand and address their concerns.
Implement practices that promote sustainable development and social responsibility.
Respect and promote human rights within the organization and its sphere of influence.
Ensure fair labor practices, including health and safety, and conditions of work.
Contribute to community development and social initiatives.

ISO 37001:2016 - Anti-Bribery Management Systems Requirements:

Establish and implement an anti-bribery policy.
Conduct regular risk assessments to identify bribery risks.
Perform due diligence on personnel and business associates.
Implement financial and non-financial controls to prevent bribery.
Establish mechanisms for reporting and investigating bribery incidents.
Provide anti-bribery training and communicate the policy to all relevant parties.

ISO certifications provide charity organizations with structured frameworks to improve quality, environmental performance, health and safety, social responsibility, and anti-bribery practices.

Benefits of ISO certifications for Charity and Non-profit Organizations

ISO 9001:2015 - Benefits:

Improved quality of services.
Enhanced donor and stakeholder confidence.
Increased operational efficiency.
Better resource management.
Stronger reputation and credibility.

ISO 14001:2015 - Benefits:

Reduced environmental impact.
Improved resource efficiency.
Compliance with environmental regulations.
Enhanced reputation with stakeholders.
Potential cost savings from waste reduction.

ISO 45001:2018 - Benefits:

Improved employee and volunteer safety.
Reduced risk of workplace incidents.
Enhanced organizational resilience.
Increased trust from stakeholders.
Lowered insurance premiums and legal costs.

ISO 26000:2010 - Benefits:

Enhanced reputation and trust.
Greater stakeholder engagement and support.
Improved risk management.
Contribution to sustainable development goals.
Positive impact on society and the environment.

ISO 37001:2016 - Benefits:

Demonstrated commitment to ethical practices.
Enhanced trust and credibility with donors and stakeholders.
Reduced risk of legal and financial penalties.
Improved organizational governance.
Strengthened reputation and brand integrity

Contact Us

Pacific Certifications is accredited by ABIS, in case you need support with ISO certification for your Charity or non-profitable business, please contact us at support@pacificcert.com or +91-8595603096.

Ready to get ISO certified?

Contact Pacific Certifications to begin your certification journey today!

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