Services
Surveillance Audits
Annual surveillance audits that confirm your certified management system continues to work effectively and keep your certificate valid.
- Annual audit scheduling in line with your certification cycle
- Audit plan issued before each visit
- Review of internal audits and management review outputs
- Follow-up of findings from previous audits
Overview
Annual audits that keep your certificate valid
Surveillance audits take place during the three-year certification cycle to confirm that your management system continues to meet the requirements of the standard. Under ISO/IEC 17021-1 they must be carried out at least once each calendar year, except in recertification years, and the first surveillance audit must take place no later than 12 months from the date of the certification decision.
Surveillance is not a full repeat of the initial audit. It samples parts of the system, with certain elements reviewed every time, including internal audits, management review, the handling of complaints, progress against objectives, the effectiveness of corrective actions from previous audits and the use of certification marks and references to certification. Auditors also look for evidence that the system is being maintained and improved, rather than simply prepared for the visit.
Over the cycle, the surveillance programme is planned so that the whole scope is covered. Surveillance also allows us to review changes in your organisation, such as new sites, products, processes or legal requirements. Completing surveillance on time and closing out findings is essential, because certificates can be suspended if audits are missed or significant issues remain unresolved. We aim to agree dates well in advance so that audits fit around your operational calendar.
How it works
Surveillance Audits, step by step
Every stage is planned and confirmed with you in advance, so your team knows exactly who is coming, when, and what they need to see.
- 1
Scheduling
We contact you in advance of the due date to agree audit dates, confirm any changes to scope, sites or headcount and check that audit time remains appropriate.
- 2
Audit planning
You receive an audit plan setting out the processes, functions and locations to be sampled, the audit team and the timetable.
- 3
Surveillance audit
Auditors review mandatory elements and a sample of other processes, following up on previous findings and on any changes since the last visit.
- 4
Reporting and follow-up
You receive a report with any findings. Nonconformities require corrective action plans or evidence within the agreed timeframe so that certification can be maintained.
- 5
Continuation of certification
A review confirms that certification can continue, and your certificate remains valid for the remainder of the cycle.
- Organisations already certified by Hexa Certifications
- Organisations that have transferred their certificate to us
- Businesses with integrated certificates covering several standards
- Multi-site organisations with a sampled site programme
Available for
Surveillance Audits for every standard
This service is available for every standard we certify. Choose one to learn more.
Quality
ISO 9001:2026Quality Management
ISO 9001:2026 sets out the requirements for a quality management system. Published in September 2026, it replaces ISO 9001:2015 and keeps the same core approach. It asks an organisation to understand its context and interested parties, plan its processes around risks and opportunities, and show that it consistently provides products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. It is the most widely used management system standard and applies to organisations of any size or sector, from sole manufacturers to national service providers.
- Meet tender and supplier requirements
- Consistent processes
- Fewer errors and complaints
- Risk-based planning
Environment & Energy
ISO 14001:2026Environmental Management
ISO 14001:2026, published in April 2026 to replace the 2015 edition, specifies the requirements for an environmental management system. It helps an organisation identify the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services, understand its compliance obligations, and manage significant impacts through planning, operational control and evaluation. The standard takes a life cycle perspective, so organisations consider stages they can control or influence, such as purchasing, transport, use and end-of-life treatment, as well as their own sites.
- Supply chain and tender credibility
- Structured legal compliance
- Control of significant impacts
- Resource and waste efficiency
Health & Safety
ISO 45001:2018Occupational Health and Safety Management
ISO 45001:2018 sets out requirements for an occupational health and safety management system. Its aim is to prevent work-related injury and ill health and to provide safe and healthy workplaces. The standard places strong emphasis on leadership, the consultation and participation of workers, hazard identification and the hierarchy of controls. It replaced OHSAS 18001 and follows the Harmonized Structure, so it integrates readily with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
- Prequalification and tenders
- Worker involvement
- Systematic hazard control
- Clear legal oversight
Information & Technology
ISO/IEC 27001:2022Information Security Management
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 specifies requirements for an information security management system (ISMS). It requires an organisation to assess information security risks to the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, select controls to treat them and manage those controls through a continual cycle of monitoring and review. Annex A lists 93 reference controls in four themes: organisational, people, physical and technological. Each organisation compares its chosen controls against Annex A and records the outcome in a Statement of Applicability.
- Answer security questionnaires
- Risk-based security
- Supports data protection duties
- Management oversight
Environment & Energy
ISO 50001:2018Energy Management
ISO 50001:2018 specifies requirements for an energy management system (EnMS). It requires an organisation to understand how it uses and consumes energy, identify significant energy uses, set an energy baseline and energy performance indicators, and plan actions to improve energy performance. Unlike some other management system standards, ISO 50001 requires an organisation to demonstrate continual improvement in energy performance itself, not only in the management system.
- ESOS compliance route
- Measured energy performance
- Focus on significant uses
- Cost control
Resilience & Governance
ISO 22301:2019Business Continuity Management
ISO 22301:2019 specifies requirements for a business continuity management system (BCMS). It helps an organisation prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptive incidents when they occur. The core of the standard sits in clause 8, which requires a business impact analysis and risk assessment, business continuity strategies and solutions, documented plans and procedures, an exercise programme and evaluation of business continuity capability. It follows the Harmonized Structure and integrates with other management system standards.
- Evidence for customers
- Clear recovery priorities
- Tested plans
- Understanding dependencies
Sector-specific
ISO 22000:2018Food Safety Management
ISO 22000:2018 specifies requirements for a food safety management system for any organisation in the food chain, from feed and primary production through processing, storage, transport, retail and food service, as well as packaging and equipment suppliers. It combines the Harmonized Structure management system clauses with HACCP principles from Codex Alimentarius, prerequisite programmes (PRPs) and interactive communication across the food chain. The standard uses two linked Plan, Do, Check, Act cycles: one for the management system and one for operational hazard control.
- Structured hazard control
- Applies across the food chain
- Management system discipline
- Communication across the chain
Sector-specific
ISO 13485:2016Medical Devices Quality Management
ISO 13485:2016 specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organisation needs to demonstrate its ability to provide medical devices and related services that consistently meet customer and applicable regulatory requirements. It applies to manufacturers and to organisations involved in other stages of the device life cycle, such as design, distribution, installation, servicing, sterilisation and component supply. The standard places particular emphasis on risk management, process validation, traceability and regulatory reporting.
- Supports regulatory submissions
- Supply chain requirements
- Risk management throughout
- Validated processes
Information & Technology
ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018IT Service Management
ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving a service management system (SMS). It covers the planning, design, transition, delivery and improvement of services to meet agreed requirements. Clause 8 sets out the operational processes, grouped into service portfolio, relationship and agreement, supply and demand, service design, build and transition, resolution and fulfilment, and service assurance. The 2018 edition follows the Harmonized Structure, which allows integration with ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 9001.
- Procurement credibility
- Consistent service delivery
- Clear service agreements
- Controlled change
Information & Technology
ISO/IEC 42001:2023Artificial Intelligence Management
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is the first international management system standard for artificial intelligence. It specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an AI management system (AIMS) within an organisation that develops, provides or uses AI systems. It requires AI risk assessment, AI risk treatment and AI system impact assessment, considering effects on individuals, groups and society. Annex A provides reference controls covering areas such as AI policy, resources, impact assessment, the AI system life cycle, data and third-party relationships.
- Evidence of responsible AI governance
- Structured risk and impact assessment
- Clear roles and accountability
- Life cycle controls
Resilience & Governance
ISO 37001:2025Anti-Bribery Management
ISO 37001 specifies requirements for an anti-bribery management system. It helps an organisation prevent, detect and respond to bribery, whether by the organisation, its personnel or business associates acting on its behalf, and bribery of the organisation. Requirements include an anti-bribery policy, top management and governing body oversight, an anti-bribery compliance function, bribery risk assessment, due diligence, financial and non-financial controls, gifts and hospitality controls, and processes for raising and investigating concerns. The second edition, ISO 37001:2025, was published in February 2025.
- Supports adequate procedures
- Risk-based controls
- Due diligence on third parties
- Clear governance oversight
FAQs
Surveillance Audits: your questions
How often are surveillance audits carried out?
Surveillance audits must take place at least once in each calendar year, apart from the year in which recertification is due. Some organisations, for example those with several sites or higher-risk activities, may have more frequent visits. The first surveillance audit must be held no later than 12 months from the date of the initial certification decision.
What happens if we miss our surveillance audit?
If a surveillance audit cannot take place when required, certification may be suspended. During suspension the certificate is temporarily invalid and you must not promote yourself as certified. If the issue is not resolved within the period we set, certification may be withdrawn. Please contact us early if you expect difficulty with dates so that we can help you plan.
Is a surveillance audit shorter than the initial audit?
Yes. Surveillance audits are typically about one third of the combined Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit time, based on the IAF mandatory document for audit duration. The exact time depends on your headcount, scope, risk and any changes since the last audit, and is confirmed in your audit plan.
What will auditors look at during surveillance?
Every surveillance audit covers internal audits, management review, complaints, progress on objectives, actions taken on previous findings, changes to the organisation and the use of certification marks. Beyond these, auditors sample a selection of processes and locations, planned so that the full scope is covered over the three-year cycle.
Do we need to tell you about changes between audits?
Yes. You should inform us of significant changes, such as a new legal status, ownership, key management, sites, processes or a substantial change in headcount. These may affect your scope, the audit time needed or your ability to meet the standard, and in some cases a special audit may be required.
Can we extend our scope at a surveillance audit?
Often, yes. A scope extension can be assessed alongside a scheduled surveillance audit if extra time is added to evaluate the new activities or sites. Let us know well in advance so that we can plan the additional audit time and include the right auditor competence in the team.
What happens to nonconformities raised at surveillance?
Minor nonconformities normally require a corrective action plan, which is reviewed and followed up at the next audit. Major nonconformities require correction and corrective action within a defined period and verification by us, which may involve a follow-up visit. Failure to address major nonconformities can lead to suspension of certification.
Will we receive a new certificate after each surveillance?
Not usually. Your certificate covers the three-year cycle and remains valid while surveillance is completed successfully. A revised certificate is issued if the scope, sites or other details change. You can confirm the current status of your certificate with us at any time.
Certificate verification
Check a Hexa certificate
Need to know whether a supplier's certificate is current? Customers, buyers and other interested parties can ask us to confirm the details held in our records.
We confirm the organisation name, certificate number, ISO standard, certified scope, status, and issue and expiry dates.
More services
Explore our other services
- Initial CertificationIndependent Stage 1 and Stage 2 certification auditsLearn more
- Recertification AuditsRenew your certificate for a further three-year cycleLearn more
- Certificate TransferMove an existing accredited certificate to HexaLearn more
- Integrated Management SystemsCombined audits for several ISO standardsLearn more
- Pre-assessmentAn optional readiness check before certificationLearn more
- Management System TrainingPublic awareness and internal auditor coursesLearn more
- Certificate VerificationConfirm a Hexa certificate is genuine and currentLearn more
Start your certification
Get a fixed, three-year certification quote
Tell us about your organisation and the standards you need. We will confirm audit days, scope and dates in writing, with no obligation.