The process of accreditation of bodies certifying management systems consists of assessing and confirming the organization's ability to perform certification of management systems according to ISO/IEC 17021-1: 2015 and relevant standards or normative documents.

Part of the assessment process for granting accreditation to a new applicant is also witness assessments for each management system, which are carried out by observing the body certifying the management systems during the audit of the certification applicant.

After the granting of accreditation, planned surveillances and reaccreditations are performed over accredited certification bodies certifying management systems. During the validity of the certificate, it will be verified that the certification body constantly meets all accreditation requirements. The planned surveillance and reaccreditations also include witness assessments according to the witness assessment plan, which are carried out according to the rules specified in other relevant standards and relevant mandatory EA, IAF documents.

Areas of accreditation of the Certification bodies certifying Management Systems according to ISO/IEC 17021-1: 2015 and Sector specific certification schemes:

• Quality Management Systems (QMS) according to ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17021-3,
• End-of-Waste Management Systems (QMS-EoW) according to ISO 9001, commission regulation (EU) No. 333/2011, Directives of the European Parliament and of the Council no. 1179/2012 and 715/2013,
• Quality Management Systems for Welding (QMS-W) according to ISO 9001 and ISO 3834,
• Sustainable Forest Certification Scheme (SFCS) according to TD SFCS 1002, TD SFCS 1003 a TD SFCS 1005,
• Quality Management Systems for Medical Devices (QMS-MD) according to ISO 13485,
• Environmental Management Systems (EMS) according to ISO 14001 and ISO/IEC 17021-2,
• Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (OH&SMS) according to ISO 45001 and ISO/IEC TS 17021-10,
• Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) according to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27006,
• Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) according to ISO 22003 – 1:2022,
• Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) according to ISO 22003 – 1:2022 and the requirements of the FSSC 22000 scheme,
• Energy Management Systems (EnMS) according to ISO 50001 and ISO 50003,
• Anti-Bribery Management Systems according to ISO 37001 and ISO/IEC TS 17021-9,
• Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS) according to ISO 22301 and ISO/IEC TS 17021-6,
• Management of IT services (ITSMS) according to ISO/IEC 20000-1 and ISO/IEC 20000-6.

SNAS has been recognized under the IAF MLA for the Level 4 sub-scope of ISO 22003-1:2022 / FSSC 22000 V6 Scheme Parts 3 and 4 and the Level 5 sub-scope of FSSC 22000 V6 Scheme Part 2 as of 11 August 2025.  This information was published on the SNAS page on the IAF website and to the MLA member list.

SNAS has been recognized under the IAF MLA for the Level 4 sub-scope of ISO/IEC TS 17021-9:2016 and the Level 5 sub-scope of ISO 37001:2016 as of 01 August 2025. This information was published on the SNAS page on the IAF website and to the MLA member list.

Slovak National Accreditation Services has launched electronical services for providing accreditation services. All processes, including  filling in the applications for providing accreditation services, its course, procesing results from testing of whole service, are solved electronically - directly by Accreditation information system - AIS.

It is necessary to have internet connection and web browser for AIS usage. Access to AIS is possible anytime on website AIS

New applicants for accreditation have to fill the registration form for their legal entity on website AIS

Application for accreditation services can be submit only through AIS. 

More information about working in AIS you can find in the User's Guide for the Subject, accessible after logging into the system by clicking on the name of the logged-in user at the top right of the screen.

In the event of a change in accreditation of a formal nature according to point 7.1.7 of MSA-04 (e.g. a formal amendment in the area or the scope of accreditation, the amendments of the normative documents according to 7.1.11.1, an amendment to a standard that does not affect the method, the incorporation of the reported changes to the flexible RA, a modification to the RA resulting from regulator’s requirements, a modification to an RA resulting from the requirements of mandatory EA, ILAC, IAF documents, other amendments that do not affect the respective determinant, etc.), it is necessary to submit an application on form TL 607 Application for a change in accreditation of a formal nature.

Note 1 - Each year, the certification body submits to SNAS a current list of valid and suspended certificates, the planned audit dates for the current year, and a description of all its critical locations, no later than January 31 of the current year, on forms in Excel format - TL 73/S (for COs certifying management systems).

As of February 1, 2020, The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has officially launched the world's exclusive global database for accredited management system certifications, providing businesses and governments the ability to digitally validate an organization’s certification(s) to determine if a certificate is valid and if the Certification Body issuing the certificate is accredited to issue certifications to that standard.

IAF CertSearch (https://www.iafcertsearch.org/), the largest global database for accredited certifications, currently includes around 400,000 valid certifications across more than 150 economies covering a range of sectors. With over 4000 certification bodies and 68 IAF MLA signatory accreditation bodies globally, validation of certifications across supply chains can be difficult. The aggregation of certification data in one global database – IAF CertSearch makes the validation process simple and efficient.

Formation and maintenance of the IAF CERTSEARCH database will provide a unique location for all accredited management system certifications issued by the certification bodies accredited by IAF accreditation bodies from around the world, which will increase validation efficiency and reduce abuse given that:

• increase the importance of accredited certification, increase visibility for those who are certified, and increase the value and integrity of accredited certificates.
• undoubtedly establish that the certification is valid as well as that the certification body is truly accredited and that the accreditation body is a signatory to the IAF MLA.
• reduced counterfeiting and expired certificates
• distinguishing an accredited certification from a non-accredited certification can be difficult

What is the purpose of the IAF CertSearch database?

The main purpose of the new platform is to support the integrity of management system accredited certificates thus enabling stakeholders to check the status of accredited certificates. Thanks to this database, it can be determined within seconds if a particular company has a valid certification issued by a certification body accredited by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the IAF MLA.

How to use the IAF CERTSEARCH database?

IAF CERTSEARCH is a tool users can use when they want to check accredited certifications provided the user knows the "company/organization name" or "certificate ID". The database receives information from the IAF confirming that accreditation bodies are signatories to the IAF MLA Agreement. The database also receives information from accreditation bodies to ensure that certification bodies are accredited to issue accredited certificates in accordance with the standard. At the same time, the database also receives information from certification bodies to ensure that the certification is valid.

https://youtu.be/oDEaHPawzVA

IAF CertSearch Mark

IAF has developed an IAF CertSearch Mark that links to the IAF CertSearch database. Organizations that have an active accredited certification in the IAF CertSearch database will have the ability to include an IAF CertSearch Mark on their website. Valid Accredited Certification Bodies and Accreditation Bodies who appear in IAF CertSearch can also include an IAF CertSearch Mark on their website demonstrating their accreditation and IAF membership status. The IAF CertSearch Mark will link to their profile on the IAF CertSearch database (Policy SNAS PL-52: IAF Policy Document: General Principles for the use of the IAF CERTSEARCH MARK (IAF PL 9:2019).

Who can use the IAF CertSearch database and why is it important?

A global database where users can search and validate the status of accredited certifications issued by a Certification Body which has been accredited by an IAF MLA Signatory Accreditation Body. This means a member of the public can validate an organization’s certification(s) confidently knowing, the certification is valid, the Certification Body is accredited and the Accreditation Body is a current IAF MLA Signatory member, in real-time, all in one process.

https://iaf.nu/en/news/iaf-certsearch-now-live/

https://f1.iafcertsearch.org/assets/g/1.0/IAF_CertSearch_Introductory_Presentation.pdf

https://www.iafcertsearch.org/

The communiqué concerns the consideration of climate change in new and existing standards on the basis of which management system certifications are carried out. Gradual changes marked "Amd" are being issued to the published standards according to which management system certifications are carried out.

Amendments relating to the requirement to take into account the approach of organizations to climate change are incorporated into Articles 4.1 and 4.2 of the standards used for the certification of management systems. The purpose of these amendments is to ensure that climate change is taken into account as a possible external factor within the management system.

During its assessments of management system certification bodies, SNAS will verify its implementation, including whether certification bodies have communicated the above change to their clients.

More detailed information on the communiqué is available on the IAF website.

In case of increased risk of certification body employees, quarantine declarations and related travel restrictions in outbreaks of COVID-19 disease, certification bodies may, after consultation with the relevant SNAS guarantor, apply IAF ID 3: 2011 and IAF MD 4: 2018 procedures if the nature of sector certification / type of audit allows.

Each year, the certification body submits to SNAS an up-to-date list of valid and suspended certificates, their planned audit dates for the current year and a description of all its critical sites, no later than 31 January of the current year on Excel format - TL 73 / S (for CO certifying management systems).

Download form: TL 73 / S SNAS - Analysis and plan of CO activities, CO performance, Analysis of activities abroad

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) completed the second edition of ISO 37001:2025 on March 2, 2025. The updated standard will replace the previous edition of ISO 37001:2016 (ISO 37001:2016/Amd 01/2024).

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/en/#iso:std:iso:37001:ed-2:v1:en

ISO 37001:2025 introduces significant updates to improve organizational integrity and align with modern global practices, including the following changes:

Emphasis on integrity and ethical culture - leadership and commitment.

Top management and the governing body must demonstrate leadership, approve an anti-bribery policy, and allocate adequate resources. Emphasis is placed on promoting a culture of integrity and transparency.

Implementation of climate action aspects.

The updated standard incorporates the content of the February 2024 Supplement 1, which reflects a broader commitment to sustainability, integrating climate action into anti-bribery management systems. Organizations are required to assess the relevance of climate change to their operations and consider the climate-related requirements of stakeholders. This implementation supports ethical business practices and environmental responsibility by ensuring that anti-corruption efforts are aligned with international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement or the EU Sustainability Reporting Regulation (CSRD).

Enhanced provisions for managing conflicts of interest.

The revised standard also includes guidance on identifying and managing conflicts of interest. This enhancement seeks to strengthen organizational policies and procedures, ensuring that potential conflicts are effectively addressed to maintain impartiality and reliability in operations.

Bribery risk assessment.

Includes regular analysis and assessment of bribery risk and the implementation of financial and non-financial controls to mitigate these risks.

Procedures and controls.

Due diligence in business relationships and contracting. Policies on gifts, hospitality and donations to prevent their use as a means of bribery. Contractual obligations with business partners to prevent bribery. Reporting procedures and protection from retaliation for employees who report corrupt acts.

Investigation and sanctions.

Organizations must have investigation mechanisms in place for bribery reports. Corrective actions and disciplinary sanctions must be applied in case of non-compliance.

Monitoring and continuous improvement.

Internal audits and reviews by senior management on the effectiveness of the management system. Continuous evaluation and improvement to adapt to new risks.

Harmonization with other management system standards

ISO 37001:2025 improves alignment with other management system standards such as ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), which means it can be implemented within integrated systems. It also allows compatibility with standards that are not intended for certification on their own, but are effective guidelines for normative requirements:

• ISO 37301:2021 (Compliance management systems) - helps meet legal, regulatory and ethical standards;
• ISO 37002:2021 (Whistleblower protection management systems) - creates secure reporting channels and ensures whistleblower protection;
• ISO 37009 (Conflict of interest guidelines) - guides conflict resolution procedures.

This harmonization streamlines processes and reduces redundancy, supporting a more coherent approach to compliance and operational excellence.

How should certified organizations proceed when transitioning to the new version?

The three-year transition period for ISO 37001:2025 provides organizations with sufficient time to align their systems with these expanded requirements and related standards.

The changes require immediate implementation, which means organizations must act quickly to integrate these changes.

How should certification bodies providing anti-bribery management system certification proceed when transitioning to the new standard?

• Communicate the revised standard to certified organizations and make them aware of the necessary procedures:
  • Perform a GAP analysis to help understand the current situation and identify the necessary actions. 
  • Completed training on transition to ISO 37001:2025.
  • Completed training on transition to ISO 37001:2025.
  • Review and assess internal and external climate-related issues as part of the organization’s risk management process.
  • Amended anti-bribery management systems to include sustainability clauses and other climate-related requirements, ensuring that all necessary changes are documented.
  • Implementation of all changes will ensure audit readiness and non-conformance prevention.

The International Accreditation Forum has not yet issued guidance on the transition of certification bodies to the revised ISO 37001:2025 standard. However, SNAS recommends that certification bodies ensure immediate readiness to conduct certifications according to the revised standard.“

From 14. 04. 2025, the Slovak National Accreditation Service provides a new accreditation service for the certification of the management system of the contractor of reserved buildings by general contractors in accordance with Act No. 25/2025 Coll., which defines the certification scheme. The certification scheme is made available on the website of the Office for Spatial Planning and Construction of the Slovak Republic and in the Collection of Laws of the Slovak Republic - Notification 63/2025 Coll. - information on the availability of the national document and changes to the national document, as well as the place of availability, is published.

The accreditation of certification bodies that perform certification of the management system of the construction of reserved buildings by general contractors is governed by Act No. 53/2023 Coll. on the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies, as amended.

Accreditation will be carried out in accordance with the valid document "National document: Requirements for bodies performing audit and certification of the management system of the contractor of reserved buildings. Requirements for the management system."

The list of reserved buildings is defined in Section 2, paragraph 8 of Act No. 25/2025 Coll. The condition for granting accreditation is accreditation, or a concurrently submitted application for accreditation in accordance with the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17021-1: 2015 standard in the technical area EA 28 for the certification of quality management systems according to ISO 9001: 2015, environmental management systems according to ISO 14001: 2015 and occupational health and safety management systems according to ISO 45001: 2018.“

Ing. Anna Ondrášiková; e-mail: anna.ondrasikova(@)snas.sk; +421 948 073 246

Ing. Jana Vašková; e-mail: jana.vaskova(@)snas.sk; +421 940 946 729