What Happens If You Fail An ISO Audit? Here’s Our Guide On What To Do After

Facing an ISO Certification audit failure can be disheartening for any business. The meticulous efforts invested in aligning processes, procedures, and practices with rigorous standards can sometimes fall short, leaving a palpable sense of disappointment in its wake. However, amidst the initial sting of failure lies an opportunity for evolution and transformation. 

You may be asking what happens if you fail an ISO audit or whether you failed your ISO Certification audit on the initial attempt, or during a Surveillance or Recertification audit, the journey to recovery requires a comprehensive understanding of what lies ahead.

Our guide on what happens if you fail an ISO Audit in 2025

In this article, we’ll explore the consequences of failing an ISO audit, while also outlining the steps to take if your organisation doesn’t pass. This overview will cover the following key questions and areas:

Why might you fail your ISO Certification Audit?

During your Certification process and audit, auditors may raise non-conformances. A non-conformance is a failure to meet a specific requirement, and can be either minor or major. Depending on the severity and/or number of non-conformances, the business can be facing an audit failure.

Understanding the reasons behind possible failures may empower your organisation to strengthen your processes, address weaknesses, and ultimately position yourself for a successful Certification audit. While this list isn’t exhaustive, here are just some of the reasons businesses may fail their audit:  

What happens if you fail an ISO Audit? 

If your business fails your Certification audit, it can have various consequences depending on the specific circumstances and the severity of the failures. Here are some possible outcomes:

The consequences of failing an ISO audit

Most companies fail to recognize the impact of ISO non-compliance. Here’s what could happen:

Industry-specific ISO audit risks & How to avoid them?

Industry-specific ISO audits come with unique challenges and risks that can impact your compliance and certification. Understanding these risks and knowing how to avoid them is crucial for maintaining standards and improving operational efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore common pitfalls and effective strategies for managing them.

Industry	Common Audit Failures	How to Prevent Failure

Manufacturing (ISO 9001)

Poor documentation of quality checks.

Implement automated tracking systems.

IT & Cybersecurity (ISO 27001)

Weak data protection policies.

Conduct quarterly cybersecurity audits.

Construction (ISO 45001)

Inadequate safety procedures.

Ensure regular safety training & drills.

How to recover from a failed ISO Certification Audit?

It’s important to note that the recovery after failing an ISO audit will vary for every business, depending on what type of ISO audit your business is going through (i.e. Initial Certification, Surveillance Audit, or a Re-Certification Audit), how severe the non-conformances are, and the approach your Certification Body takes.

Below is a generalised step-by-step guide on what to do next. 

1. Review the audit findings: Carefully review the audit report and understand the areas where your organisation did not conform with the ISO standard’s requirements. This will help you gain insights into the specific issues that need to be addressed.
2. Develop a corrective action plan: Create a comprehensive plan to rectify the identified non-conformances. The plan should include specific actions, responsible parties, timelines, and resources required for each corrective measure.
3. Implement corrective actions: Begin executing the corrective action plan, ensuring that each step is followed as scheduled. It may involve updating procedures, improving processes, providing additional training, or making organisational changes.
4. Schedule a re-audit (if applicable): If the certification body allows for a re-audit, schedule it as soon as your organisation is ready to demonstrate conformance with the ISO standard. Be prepared to present evidence of the implemented corrective actions.
5. Engage with Expert ISO Consultants: Professional ISO Management System Consultants will help you address the changes that need to be made, and how to go about implementing them more effectively and within the given timeframe. They will help you with your corrective action report, and can conduct an internal audit to ensure that your ISO Management System is now meeting your chosen standards requirements before your next external audit.  

ISO Management System Consultants are professionals who assist businesses develop, implement, and maintain a Management System meeting the requirements of one or more ISO Standards. Consultants will assess the organisation’s current state and provide advice on the best way forward, if you are still reeling from what happens if you fail an ISO audit.

Some benefits that a business can enjoy when engaging a Consultant are:

Navigating a setback such as failing an ISO Certification audit can be a challenging endeavour. However, we are here to help! Our team of consultants are experts in developing effective management systems and are passionate about helping businesses achieve, maintain and improve their Certifications. Since we started the business in 2007, every business that has followed our recommendations has achieved certification first time, and, as a result, we offer a Certification Readiness Guarantee – by following our proven planning process and advice, supported by our extensive industry experience, we can get you certified first time – Guaranteed!

With over 17 years of experience and a 5-Star Google Rating, our Consulting team can help you achieve with auditing services and maintain your Certifications to the main ISO Management System Standards. Call us now on 1300 614 897, email us, or book your online FREE Strategy Session to solve any further questions about the Certification Process, or to learn more about what happens if you fail an ISO audit and what to do after.