Frequently asked questions

GCQM (Global Certificate for Quality Management Limited Liability Company) is the exclusive agent in Iraq of Global Quality Certification Ltd (GQCL), a UK-registered, EGAC-accredited certification, inspection, and validation & verification body. GCQM manages applications, audit planning, local audit teams and client support in Iraq, while GQCL issues the accredited certificates and statements.

Certificates and verification statements are issued by GQCL under its EGAC accreditation. Each carries a unique number and QR code and can be checked on the GQCL public certificate register.

Our office is in Karrada, Baghdad. We serve clients across Iraq, including Basra, Erbil, Mosul, Najaf, Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah, with on-site audits and inspections.

ISO certification is a formal recognition, by an accredited third-party body, that an organisation's management system meets the requirements of an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or ISO 45001.

ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), ISO 45001 (Health & Safety), ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security), ISO 22000 (Food Safety), ISO 50001 (Energy) and ISO 21001 (Education) under EGAC-IAF accreditation. ISO 22301, ISO 13485, ISO 28003 and ISO 10002 are also available.

It improves customer trust, enhances operational efficiency, helps win tenders and international business, ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and strengthens brand reputation.

Small organisations with structured processes: around 3–6 months. Medium organisations: 6–12 months. Large, multi-site organisations: 12–18 months or longer. If your system is already implemented, the certification audit itself can be scheduled within weeks.

Gap analysis, system implementation, internal audit and management review on your side; then a Stage 1 readiness audit, a Stage 2 on-site audit, an impartial certification decision and certificate issuance by GQCL. Annual surveillance audits follow.

Annual audits carried out after certification to verify that your organisation continues to meet the standard.

Three years, subject to successful annual surveillance audits. A recertification audit renews the certificate for a further three-year cycle.

Yes. ISO certification benefits organisations of all sizes and improves credibility and competitive advantage for SMEs.

Yes. GQCL is accredited by the Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC), a signatory of the IAF and ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangements, so certificates are recognised worldwide.

An independent organisation that evaluates products, services, installations, processes or systems to ensure they meet specified requirements, regulations or standards.

The international standard specifying requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistency of bodies performing inspection. Accreditation to it demonstrates reliable inspection results.

Independent and impartial evaluations, assured technical competence, recognition by regulators and international markets, and reduced risk of non-compliance or safety incidents.

ISO 9001 covers quality management in general. ISO/IEC 17020 specifically ensures the competence, impartiality and consistency of inspection activities and is more technical and sector-specific.

Oil & gas, construction, food, automotive, environmental monitoring, manufacturing, telecommunications and hospitality.

Verification is an independent check that reported GHG emissions data is complete, accurate and consistent with standards such as ISO 14064 or the GHG Protocol. Validation is an independent assessment that future projections or reduction projects are reasonable and credible.

It ensures transparency and trust in climate claims, is required for carbon-neutrality certification, ESG reporting and carbon markets, helps avoid greenwashing accusations, and aligns with ISO 14064-3, ISO 14067, GHG Protocol and CDP.

Yes. Public and in-house training for internal, lead and external auditors, plus awareness courses for employees. Training is offered strictly as competence-building, not consultancy, in line with our impartiality obligations.