Interface NRM

Interface NRM: UKAS-accredited certification with an employee ownership model

Interface NRM presents itself as the UK's only employee-owned accredited certification and verification body. The organisation operates with UKAS accreditation and offers certification and verification services in quality, environmental, occupational health and safety, carbon footprint and forest chain of custody, among other areas.

Its ownership model, adopted in 2020, means that every team member participates as a co-owner. The company links this structure to greater involvement in service and a reduced risk of a buyout or change of owner, which according to its approach provides continuity for the certifications it issues.

Certification and verification services

Interface NRM's catalogue is organised around international standards and sector schemes. The organisation details the following services:

• ISO 9001: UKAS-accredited certification for quality management systems, aimed at demonstrating commitment to reliable operations and continual improvement.
• ISO 14001: UKAS-accredited certification for environmental management systems, focused on credibility and commitment to sustainable practices.
• ISO 45001: UKAS-accredited certification for occupational health and safety management systems.
• ISO 14064: verification of greenhouse gas quantification at organisational level, for carbon footprint accounting.
• FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®): certification under global chain of custody standards for forest products.
• PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification): certification under global chain of custody standards for forest products.
• VRAC (Vehicle Recyclers Association): certification confirming that UK-based vehicle recyclers meet the British standard for reclaimed parts from end-of-life vehicles.
• Certificate transfer: service to transfer an existing certification to Interface NRM, which the company associates with stability and continuity thanks to its employee ownership model.

Certification process

The organisation describes a two-stage certification process. The first consists of implementation: the organisation itself, or an external consultant, sets up and implements a management system in accordance with the relevant standard and adapted to its activity. The second is certification itself, in which Interface NRM evaluates the management systems, reports on compliance and issues the certificate. The company notes that the exact procedure varies depending on the service.

Activity indicators

Interface NRM publishes some data on its performance and volume of activity. According to information on its site, it has accumulated 1,435 reviews on Trustpilot with a rating of 4.9 (Excellent), maintains a customer retention rate of 96.4% and has verified 1.4 million tonnes of CO2e. It also states that 21% of its new business comes from certificate transfers.

Trusted consultants

Among its collaborations, the company identifies Assent Risk Management, a risk and resilience consultancy with a UK-wide presence and offices in London, Cardiff and California. Assent works in disciplines such as information security, cybersecurity, environmental sustainability, health and safety and quality management, and offers consultancy and auditing services in standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

Informative content

Interface NRM maintains a section for analysis and case studies. Featured publications include two instalments on the new FSC trademark standard (V3-0) and an analysis of the update to the ISO 14001 standard, in which the organisation summarises what changes, what stays the same and when auditing under the new standard will begin.