ISO 9001 is the world’s leading standard for a Quality Management System (QMS). Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it gives businesses a framework to consistently meet customer expectations, follow rules, and improve their work over time. Millions of organisations around the world have met the standard and have been certified.
In 2025 following a lengthy period of preparing the business for an ISO 9001 external audit by DNV, IIMS gained ISO 9001:2015 certification with a scope of ‘Training services in marine surveying’. There were no major and no minor findings recorded at that initial audit.
Roll on one year to June 2026, and IIMS decided to extend its ISO scope further to bring the Institute’s Certifying Authority into certification. The new scope is reflected in the certification that now reads as follows: ‘Training services in marine surveying, administration, management, and certification of vessel coding activities for commercially operated vessels under 24 metres, undertaken under delegated authority from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency for applicable Merchant Shipping Regulations and Red Ensign Group Flag State requirements, including the management and oversight of authorised surveyors’.
Once again, the external auditor found no major or minor non-conformities.
Much of the credit for the work undertaken behind the scenes to maintain and develop the ISO standard goes to IIMS General Manager, Camella Robertson.
Commenting on the latest ISO certification following the recent audit, IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, said, “Taking IIMS through the ISO 9001 auditing process was a daunting process first time around. By putting our Certifying Authority up for scrutiny by an external third party auditor, we have demonstrated our commitment to setting and maintaining the highest standards. It is a proud achievement for the Institute.”