ISO 26000 cost calculator
Estimate the cost to get compliant with ISO 26000 (guidance on social responsibility) in the UK.
Adjust the inputs below for an indicative UK estimate covering implementation, the certification audit, and ongoing fees over a three-year cycle. Every figure is a guideline only — always obtain formal quotes from UKAS-accredited certification bodies. For background, read the full ISO 26000 guide.
Your details
Certification-body audit duration is largely driven by headcount under the published IAF rules.
The more you already have in place, the less implementation effort you need.
Trades external consultancy fees against your own team's time.
Beyond your main site. Each extra site adds audit and implementation effort.
- Implementation total£0
- — consultant fees£0
- — internal staff time£0
- 3-year cost of ownership£0
Indicative UK estimate, ex-VAT. Actual quotes vary by certification body, sector risk and scope. Always get formal quotes.
What each part of the calculator means
The estimate is built from a few inputs and broken down into clear cost lines. Here is what each one represents.
- Organisation size (employees)
- The single biggest driver of the audit fee. UKAS-accredited bodies set audit duration using the mandatory IAF rules, which scale with headcount. More employees means more audit days, and each day is charged at a certification-body day rate (we model around £1,300/day, ex-VAT).
- Additional sites in scope
- Each site beyond your main location adds both audit time and implementation effort. Certification bodies may apply a multi-site sampling approach that softens the audit increase, but more sites still cost more overall.
- Implementation total
- Because this standard cannot be certified, the calculator estimates only the cost of assessing your organisation against the guidance and closing any gaps — consultant support plus internal staff time. There is no audit fee.
- 3-year cost of ownership
- The headline planning figure: the total across a full three-year cycle. For a new certification that is year-one build and audit plus two surveillance years plus the year-three re-certification. It is the most realistic number to budget against, because certification is an ongoing commitment, not a one-off purchase.
How accurate is this?
These figures are independent mid-market estimates to help you budget and compare standards — not quotes. Real prices vary significantly with sector risk, certification body, scope definition and negotiation. Always get formal written quotes before committing. See our how certification works guide for the full process.