Business Continuity

ISO 22301 Certification

Independent third-party ISO 22301 certification for organizations that must keep operating through disruption. Prove resilience to customers, contracting officers, and partners.

The Standard

What Is ISO 22301?

ISO 22301:2019 is the international standard for business continuity management systems (BCMS). It requires an organization to analyze the impact of disruption, set recovery objectives for critical activities, put continuity plans in place, and exercise those plans regularly.

It goes beyond a written disaster recovery plan by making continuity a managed, tested, and continually improved system. Certification means an independent auditor has confirmed your BCMS is in operation.

Why Certify

Why Organizations Get ISO 22301 Certified

Meet Resilience Requirements

Customers, prime contractors, and regulators ask suppliers to prove they can recover critical services after an outage or incident.

Recover Faster

Business impact analysis and tested plans shorten downtime and reduce the cost of disruption.

Protect Key Contracts

Demonstrated continuity strengthens your position when bidding on and renewing critical service contracts.

  • Fits MSPs, data centers, logistics, financial services, healthcare, and government contractors
  • Pairs with ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 20000-1 on one audit program
  • Requires exercised and tested plans, not plans that sit on a shelf
The Process

How ISO 22301 Certification Works

GMCS runs a defined, two-stage certification audit. You always know where you are in the process and what comes next.

1. Quote and applicationTell us your size, sites, and timeline. We scope the audit program and send a proposal.
2. Optional pre-assessmentA readiness audit that finds gaps before the certification audit. Recommended for first-time certifications.
3. Stage 1 auditReview of your documented business continuity management system and confirmation you are ready for Stage 2.
4. Stage 2 auditThe certification audit: your system evaluated in operation against ISO 22301 requirements.
5. CertificationCertificate issued once any audit findings are closed.
6. Surveillance and recertificationAnnual surveillance audits maintain the certificate; recertification renews it at year three.
Cost

What Determines ISO 22301 Certification Cost

There is no one-size price. Your quote is scoped from audit time, which is driven by four factors. Organizations with fewer than 100 employees qualify for the GMCS Small Organization Program's discounted pricing.

Get a Scoped Quote
Employee countTotal headcount including part-time and contractors sets baseline audit time
Number of sitesEach location in scope adds audit activity
Process complexityScope, risk, and regulated work take longer to audit
Certification pathNew certification, transfer, or recertification each scope differently
Transfers

Already ISO 22301 Certified? Transfer to GMCS.

If your current certification body is slow to schedule, slow to answer, or priced for someone else's overhead, transfer your certificate to GMCS. Your certification cycle and surveillance schedule continue, and in most cases there is no repeat of Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Start a Transfer

Why GMCS for ISO 22301

  • Certification body accredited by IAS to ISO/IEC 17021-1
  • Auditors from commercial, government, and regulated environments
  • Direct access to decision makers, no layers of process
  • Independent certification only, never a consulting upsell
FAQ

ISO 22301 Certification Questions

How is ISO 22301 different from a disaster recovery plan?
A disaster recovery plan restores systems. ISO 22301 covers the whole organization: business impact analysis, recovery objectives, continuity strategies, testing, and continual improvement, with management accountable for it.
How does ISO 22301 relate to ISO/IEC 27001?
ISO/IEC 27001 includes information security continuity. ISO 22301 covers continuity of all critical activities, not only information systems. They share a management system structure and are often audited together.
Do we have to test our plans to get certified?
Yes. The standard requires an exercise and testing program, and auditors look for evidence that plans have been exercised and improved.
How long does ISO 22301 certification take?
Timing depends on how far along your continuity program is. Once your business impact analysis, plans, and exercises are in operation, certification is a two-stage audit.
How much does ISO 22301 certification cost?
Cost is driven by organization size, number of sites, and the number of critical activities in scope. GMCS maintains discounted pricing for organizations with fewer than 100 employees.
Does GMCS provide business continuity consulting?
No. GMCS is an independent certification body. Certification body rules prohibit certifying a system we helped build, and that independence keeps your certificate credible.

Get Your ISO 22301 Certification Quote

Tell us your organization size, sites, and timeline. We'll scope the audit program and send a proposal, with no consulting upsell.

Request a Certification Quote
Accreditation & Recognition

Credentials You Can Verify

Verify GMCS’s accreditation, scope, and the status of any certificate we issue.

IAS Accredited Management Systems Certification Body GSA Contract Holder, Contract #47QRAA18D002C IAF CertSearch, Status: Active IAF Member of Multilateral Recognition Arrangement