Mongolia: Will your certificate be accepted in the markets where you sell?

Businesses in Mongolia that plan to obtain ISO certification may need to look beyond the certificate itself. The accreditation behind the certification body can also affect whether customers, international partners or tender authorities accept the certificate.

The Mongolian Agency for Standardisation and Metrology (MASM) is Mongolia’s national standards body. It represents Mongolia in the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and oversees national standardisation activities.

However, standards development and accreditation are different functions. This distinction matters for businesses seeking ISO certification for international markets.

Source: US Department of Commerce — Mongolia: trade standards

Why Accreditation Matters for ISO Certification?

The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) focus on different areas.

ILAC's international recognition arrangement covers areas such as testing and calibration laboratories. The IAF framework covers accreditation of management system certification bodies and other conformity assessment activities.

This distinction matters because a business may invest significant time and money to achieve ISO certification. However, the certificate may not meet a customer's requirements if the certification body's accreditation does not provide the level of recognition the customer expects.

This issue can become more important for Mongolian companies that work with international mining companies, overseas buyers or foreign tenders.

A certificate that is accepted for one business purpose may not automatically satisfy every customer or tender requirement. Organisations should therefore check the accreditation requirements before starting the certification process.

What Should Mongolian Businesses Check?

Businesses should first identify why they need ISO certification and where they plan to use the certificate.

A company that needs certification only for its internal management system may have different requirements from a company that needs to present its certificate to an international customer.

Businesses should check these before selecting an ISO Certification Body. These are:

 Which accreditation body accredits the certification body?

 Does the accreditation cover the required ISO standard?

 Does it cover the organisation's relevant sector or scope?

 Does the customer or tender authority specify an accreditation requirement?

 Will the certificate meet the requirements of the intended market?

Businesses should obtain this information before signing an agreement or beginning the audit process.

Mongolia’s Global Trade Brings Accreditation into Focus

Mongolia has significant activity in sectors such as mining and natural resources. Companies working with international customers may need to demonstrate that their management systems meet recognised requirements.

For these businesses, ISO certification is not simply about obtaining a document. The organisation should understand who will issue the certificate, under which accreditation, and where that certificate will be accepted.

How ISO Consultancy Can Help Organisations in Mongolia?

Choosing the right certification route is only one part of preparing for ISO certification. Businesses also need to understand the requirements of the relevant standard and establish a management system that works in practice.

ISO consultancy can help organisations assess their existing processes, identify gaps and prepare the required documentation and controls before the certification audit.

For Mongolian businesses targeting international customers, this preparation can also include reviewing certification requirements and understanding what external parties expect from the final certificate.

MSCi provides ISO consultancy services to help organisations assess their existing systems, identify gaps and prepare for certification. MSCi does not issue ISO certificates or act as a certification body.