How to Become a Client

BSI is a professional quality management organization.

That means we are selective by design.

Our role is not to serve everyone—it is to protect the credibility, consistency, and integrity of the systems we oversee. That requires alignment, mutual clarity, and shared expectations before any formal relationship begins.

Organizations that tend to be a good fit share a few traits:

• They value consistency, transparency, and defensible outcomes

• They understand that quality improvement comes from process discipline, not blame

• They expect to be treated fairly—and to treat others the same way

• They recognize that professional oversight should support good work, not complicate it

Organizations that are looking for shortcuts, exceptions, or special treatment are typically not a fit—and it’s better to establish that early.

For that reason, our onboarding process is intentional, staged, and mutual. Either party may decide not to proceed at any point. That is by design.

Our Client Acceptance Process

Step 1: Organization Application

Prospective clients begin by completing an application for their organization.

This allows us to understand:

• Who you are and how you operate

• The scope and nature of your work

• Any structural or compliance considerations relevant to oversight

Not all applicants are accepted. If we determine the fit is not right, we will tell you directly and professionally.

Secondary Interest Disclosure (Required)

To protect certification integrity, BSI requires a brief disclosure of any work or relationships that could reasonably create perceived conflicts (or questions later) about a certification.

Important: Disclosure does not disqualify you. In most cases, it reduces risk by making the relationship transparent and manageable under our quality system.

The only time this becomes an issue is when a conflict is undisclosed, unmanageable, or requires exceptions to our standards.

What happens after you sign:

1. We review for obvious conflicts (usually same-day / next-business-day)

2. If needed, we apply simple guardrails (segmentation, documentation handling, reviewer separation)

3. We confirm acceptance—or explain why we can’t proceed

We use this information only for certification governance. It is not used for marketing, and it is not shared outside BSI except as required by law or program rules.

If you’re unsure whether something belongs here: disclose it. “Maybe” items are exactly what this step is for.

Is disclosure a disqualifier?

No. It’s a risk-control step. Transparency is almost always the solution.

What would disqualify someone?

Typically: refusal to disclose, repeated noncompliance, or conflicts that cannot be governed without exceptions.

Do you notify other parties?

No. This is internal governance.

Do you require details on clients or pricing?

No. We’re looking for the type of relationship and whether it intersects with certification decisions.

Why is this required?

Because certifications can affect downstream decisions and must remain defensible. This is the simplest way to prevent avoidable exposure.

Step 2: Alignment Conversation

If the application indicates potential alignment, we schedule a structured conversation.

This is not a sales call.

It is a working discussion to confirm:

• Mutual expectations

• Scope of oversight and support

• Operating realities and constraints

At this stage, pricing is discussed at a high level. Our pricing is not one-size-fits-all and reflects the actual scope and risk profile of the engagement.

If both sides agree the fit is right, we move forward.

Step 3: Proposal

We prepare a written proposal that documents what has already been discussed and agreed upon.

The proposal outlines:

• Services and scope

• Responsibilities on both sides

• Commercial terms

Nothing new is introduced at this stage. The proposal exists to confirm alignment, not renegotiate it.

Step 4: Contract

Once the proposal is accepted, we prepare a formal contract.

The contract:

• Reflects the agreed scope and obligations

• Clearly defines responsibilities—ours and yours

• References governing policies and procedures transparently

Some elements (such as quality management policies) are non-negotiable, as changing them would compromise fairness and consistency across clients.

This ensures a level playing field and protects the integrity of the system.

Step 5: Onboarding

After execution, onboarding begins.

This includes:

• Registering your organization in our systems

• Credential verification and mapping for verification staff

• Identification of any required training or remediation

• Orientation to our expectations, processes, and tools

If discrepancies arise, we address them through conversation and documentation.

Deliberate misrepresentation is not tolerated.

Our goal is not to “catch” people—it is to establish clarity from the outset.

Step 6: Ongoing Engagement

Quality management is not a one-time event.

Over the course of the engagement, we work with you to:

• Improve consistency and reliability

• Reduce friction and rework

• Strengthen documentation and defensibility

• Support sustainable, professional growth

We do our part.

You do yours.

That’s how durable systems are built.