Mandate & Scope

International Systems Assurance & Certification Organization (ISACO)

The Mandate & Scope page defines what ISACO is authorized to do, what our standards cover, and how organizations are evaluated under our systems assurance framework.
This page is crucial for transparency, credibility, and international alignment.

Our Mandate

ISACO’s official mandate is to:

Develop Modern, Practical Standards

Create clear, accessible, and scalable systems-assurance standards that organizations of all sizes can adopt.

Provide Independent Certification

Evaluate and certify organizations based on documented practices, operational performance, and continuous improvement.

Promote System Reliability & Service Quality

Strengthen the internal systems that influence service delivery, customer satisfaction, and organizational performance.

Support Continuous Improvement Culture

Guide organizations toward measurable, repeatable, and sustainable improvement cycles.

Ensure Integrity, Objectivity & Transparency

Maintain impartiality through structured assessments, consistent criteria, and documented decision-making procedures.

Scope of ISACO Standards

ISACO standards apply to the systems and processes that govern how an organization operates, manages quality, and improves performance.

Our scope includes (but is not limited to):

A. Organizational Systems & Governance

  • Documented structure and accountability
  • Defined roles and responsibilities
  • Governance mechanisms guiding decision-making

B. Operational Processes & Controls

  • Core workflows and SOPs
  • Service delivery standards
  • Consistency, reliability, and process performance

C. Quality Management Practices

  • Documentation integrity
  • Internal audits
  • Corrective and preventive actions
  • Performance measurement (KPIs)

D. Risk & Compliance Alignment

  • Risk identification and mitigation
  • Regulatory alignment
  • Ethical and professional conduct

E. Continuous Improvement

  • PDCA cycles
  • Lean/TQM initiatives
  • Improvement documentation
  • Change control and evaluation

What ISACO Does Not Cover

To maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretation, ISACO does not:

  • Provide ISO certification
  • Issue or replace government regulatory approvals
  • Assess product safety or technical compliance
  • Offer legal compliance certification
  • Replace statutory audits or inspections

Organizations Covered Under ISACO

Our standards are applicable to a broad range of sectors, including:

  • SMEs and corporations
  • Service providers
  • Tech and online businesses
  • Healthcare and education
  • Manufacturing and logistics
  • Nonprofits and public service entities

If an organization has documented processes, service delivery workflows, and measurable performance, it fits within ISACO’s scope.

Levels of Certification Under ISACO

ISACO issues three certification levels:

Quality Compliant

Entry-level recognition for foundational systems.

Quality Certified

Standard-level recognition for fully implemented management systems.

Quality Excellence

Elite recognition for mature, integrated, and continuously improving systems.

Each level reflects system maturity, operational control, and alignment with ISACO’s assurance framework.

Boundaries of Authority

ISACO’s authority extends to:

  • Framework development
  • Certification issuance
  • Audit methodology
  • Accreditation of institutions
  • Verification and public registry

Our authority does not extend to:

  • Legal enforcement
  • Governmental mandates
  • Industry regulation
  • Safety or technical product testing

Commitment to Impartiality

ISACO maintains independence through:

  • Separation of assessment and advisory functions
  • Conflict-of-interest checks
  • Transparent certification decisions
  • Appeals and complaints management system

This ensures fairness, objectivity, and integrity at all stages.