Will the certificate arrive before your deadline?

Enter 2 dates. See every step dated, and if the certificate is in time.

From the tender or contract.

Internal audit and management review done.

See your result: Realistic, 1 Mar 2027
Standard
One integrated audit
Try a change

Pick any. Effect on the typical date.

no change
−2 weeks
−2 weeks
+2 weeks

Realistic

Certificate, typical case

1 Mar 2027

3 days before your deadline. The slow case is 123 days late.

Fast case
4 Jan 2027
Typical
1 Mar 2027
Slow case
5 Jul 2027
Deadline
4 Mar 2027
On 4 Mar 2027 you can show
The certificate. Slow case: the Stage 1 report.
Next date that matters
Send requests for quotes by Tue 17 Nov 2026, in 13 days.

Take this plan to your bid team

  • A one-page PDF with the 10 dated steps.
  • A calendar file (.ics) with reminders.
  • An email if a rule in the plan changes.

Your plan, step by step

Typical Fast to slow Latest date for the deadline 24 Dec-1 Jan: no audits
Nov 2026DecJan 2027FebMarAprMayJunJulNo audits from 24 Dec to 1 JanLatest date for the deadline: 17 Nov 2026Latest date for the deadline: 25 Nov 2026Latest date for the deadline: 6 Jan 2027Latest date for the deadline: 3 Feb 2027Latest date for the deadline: 22 Feb 2027Latest date for the deadline: 4 Mar 2027TodayDeadline 4 MarRequest and compare quotesSign with a certification bodyWait for the first open audit dateStage 1 auditFix Stage 1 findings, wait for Stage 2Stage 2 auditAnswer the audit findingsReview and certification decision
Every date as a table
StepTypicalLatest for deadlineSlack
Request and compare quotesWed 4 Nov 2026 to Sat 7 Nov 202617 Nov 202613 days
Sign with a certification bodySat 7 Nov 2026 to Thu 12 Nov 202625 Nov 202613 days
Wait for the first open audit dateThu 12 Nov 2026 to Thu 24 Dec 2026
Stage 1 auditMon 4 Jan 20276 Jan 20272 days
Fix Stage 1 findings, wait for Stage 2Mon 4 Jan 2027 to Mon 1 Feb 2027
Stage 2 auditMon 1 Feb 2027 to Thu 4 Feb 20273 Feb 20272 days
Answer the audit findingsThu 4 Feb 2027 to Thu 18 Feb 202722 Feb 20274 days
Review and certification decisionThu 18 Feb 2027 to Mon 1 Mar 20274 Mar 20273 days

After the certificate: first surveillance audit by 1 Mar 2028, expiry on 28 Feb 2030. The full 3-year cycle

How the planner works 44 s

A deadline 16 weeks away: every certification step dated, and what you can show on the day if the certificate is not in time.

5 rules that move the date

180days

At most from Stage 1 to Stage 2, or Stage 1 is repeated.

Stage 1 to certificate

6months

To close a major nonconformity, or a new Stage 2.

Major findings

No

Certificate before the decision. Until then, a status letter.

What it can state

EU+UK

Public buyers must consider other evidence if the time limit was too short.

"Or equivalent"

12months

At most to the first surveillance audit.

Certificate dates