Beware of Fake ISO Certification Mills: Protect Your Business and Reputation

Sim David
Jul 16
2 min read

Fake ISO certification bodies are on the rise. Learn how to detect fake ISO certificates and verify valid ones through IAF CertSearch. Don’t let your business fall victim to non-accredited certifiers.

Introduction

With increasing awareness of quality, safety, environmental, and security standards, businesses are under pressure to obtain ISO certifications. However, this demand has led to the rise of fake certification mills — organizations issuing ISO certificates without proper audits or accreditation. These entities can seriously damage your credibility, cause regulatory issues, and result in loss of business.

What Are Fake Certification Mills?

Fake certification mills are entities that:

Claim to provide ISO certification without any real audit or compliance check.
Issue certificates in a few days, often at very low prices.
Do not hold accreditation from any internationally recognized body such as IAF (International Accreditation Forum).
Use misleading logos or fake accreditation stamps to appear legitimate.

Risks of Using Fake Certificates

Legal and Regulatory ConsequencesGovernments and procurement bodies often require valid accredited certifications. Submitting a fake certificate may result in:
- Disqualification from tenders
- Legal action for fraud
- Fines and penalties
Loss of Client TrustClients may conduct a background check on your certificate. If found invalid, this can destroy trust and result in:
- Contract termination
- Reputational damage
- Blacklisting in your industry
No Real Quality ImprovementFake certifiers don’t evaluate your systems. So you lose the opportunity to improve your operations, safety, or compliance based on ISO standards.

How to Verify a Genuine ISO Certificate

Always ensure that your certificate is issued by a certification body accredited by an IAF member. Here’s how:

Step 1: Check the Accreditation Body

A legitimate ISO certificate should mention the accreditation body (e.g., IAS, ANAB, UKAS, JAS-ANZ, etc.).
Visit the IAF website to confirm if the accreditation body is an IAF member:
👉 https://www.iaf.nu

Step 2: Verify on IAF CertSearch

Go to https://www.iafcertsearch.org
Enter your certificate number or company name
If your certificate doesn’t show up, it may not be recognized under IAF-accredited certification.

Step 3: Consult the Certification Body

Ask the certifying body for proof of their IAF-recognized accreditation.
Legitimate certification bodies will provide this transparently.

Red Flags to Watch For

Certificates issued without an audit
Unreasonably low pricing
No mention of an IAF-accredited body
Websites with no office location or contact info
“Instant ISO” promises or guarantees without process

Choose Accredited Certification with Confidence

QA Technic Cambodia is fully accredited and recognized internationally. We offer:

ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 22000, 27001, 21001 & 50001 Certification
Third-party, impartial audits
Certificates verifiable through IAF-accredited systems

We strongly encourage all businesses to stay away from shortcuts. Trust only IAF-recognized, accredited certification bodies to protect your company and ensure global credibility.