Certification, labels,
compliance: choose your approach.
Define the need before starting an audit, certification or labelling process.
Three concepts to distinguish
Certification assesses conformity with a framework within a defined scope. A label meets the criteria of its particular scheme. Regulatory compliance is assessed against applicable obligations. These concepts are not interchangeable.
Start with the objective
What motivates the process: a customer request, process development, safety, the environment or information protection? Check that the framework addresses this objective and that its scope matches the activities concerned.
Frameworks to consider
| Standard or scheme | Purpose | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | Quality management and process development. | View source ↗ |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental management. | View source ↗ |
| ISO 45001 | Occupational health and safety management. | View source ↗ |
| ISO/IEC 27001 | Information security management. | View source ↗ |
| VCA / BeSaCC | Safety schemes selected according to risk and the company profile. | View source ↗ |
| Label Entreprise Écodynamique | Environmental recognition for eligible sites in Brussels. | View source ↗ |
Prepare the steps
- Identify the framework, scope and applicable version.
- Review existing practices and evidence.
- Define a plan to address the gaps.
- Implement and document actions.
- Prepare for evaluation and address findings.
Who issues the certification?
For ISO certifications, assessment is carried out by an independent body. ISO and NBN develop or distribute standards but do not certify businesses themselves. For a label, check the scheme’s arrangements and responsible body.
What a certificate does not establish
Examine its scope, the activities and sites covered, and its validity. A management system certificate alone does not establish conformity of every activity or product of a business.
Official sources linked in the table, consulted on 13 October 2026. The proposed approach is an Ethadex methodological framework.
From reflection to action.
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