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Tier 1 — QS-Recognised + UAF/IAS Accredited

Accredited · Recognised · Verified UAF logo UAF United Accreditation Foundation USA · Management Systems IAS logo IAS International Accreditation Service USA · Management Systems IAF MLA logo IAF MLA IAF Multilateral Recognition International · MLA Signatory QS logo QS Qatar Standards RB066-26 · ISO 9001/14001/45001

Tier 1 covers ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) — issued by Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd under UAF and IAS accreditation. The same body is recognized by the Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS) under recognition number RB066-26, with Guardian Middle East LLC as the represented entity in Qatar. All accredited certificates are listed on IAF CertSearch.

What Tier 1 Means

The Tier 1 Position

Tier 1 is Guardian’s highest-disclosure certification offering in Qatar. It combines two distinct credentials:

  • International accreditation — under both UAF (United Accreditation Foundation, USA) and IAS (International Accreditation Service, USA), with both bodies being signatories of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement.
  • National recognition — under the Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS), with recognition number RB066-26.

This combination — international accreditation plus national recognition — is what positions Tier 1 certificates for use in Qatar’s public-sector tenders that require QS-recognised certification, while simultaneously supporting international supply chains and stakeholders that require IAF MLA recognition. The dual position is uncommon and is reflected in the dedicated tier name ‘QS-Recognised + UAF/IAS Accredited’.

Three Standards in Tier 1

The QS recognition under RB066-26 specifically covers three management system standards:

  • ISO 9001 — Quality Management Systems
  • ISO 14001 — Environmental Management Systems
  • ISO 45001 — Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems

These three standards are commonly referred to collectively as ‘QHSE’ or ‘integrated management system standards’ when implemented together. Tier 1 supports both individual certifications and integrated audit programmes covering all three.

Why Choose Tier 1

Reason 1 — QS Recognition (RB066-26) for Qatari Tenders

QS recognition is explicitly required in many Qatar public-sector tenders, government procurement processes, and large-infrastructure project pre-qualification. The recognition number RB066-26 identifies Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd as a QS-recognised certification body for ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001, with Guardian Middle East LLC as the represented entity in Qatar. The recognition is bilingual (Arabic / English) and is issued under Ministerial Decree No. 363 of 2018.

Reason 2 — Dual International Accreditation

Tier 1 is delivered under both UAF and IAS accreditation. Both bodies are based in the United States and are IAF MLA signatories. Dual accreditation provides redundancy and choice for stakeholders who specify a particular accreditation body (some international supply chains and regulatory frameworks prefer UAF; others prefer IAS or other equivalent IAF MLA signatories).

Reason 3 — IAF MLA International Recognition

Both UAF and IAS are signatories of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). Tier 1 certificates are recognised by IAF MLA signatories worldwide and are publicly listed on IAF CertSearch — the IAF’s global verification register accessible at https://www.iafcertsearch.org.

Reason 4 — Bilingual Delivery

Audit conduct, certificate issuance, and supporting reports are available in English, Arabic, or bilingually. This supports Qatari public-sector documentation requirements and Arabic-language tender submissions.

Reason 5 — Sector-Specific Auditor Competence

Audit team appointment under IAF MD 11 (Sector-Specific Application of ISO/IEC 17021-1) ensures auditors hold sectoral competence for the client’s industry — construction, oil and gas, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, IT, education, energy, and others.

Reason 6 — Integrated Audit Programmes

Where the client operates an integrated management system covering ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 (or any combination), the audit programme can be integrated — reducing total audit days while maintaining the audit-duration requirements of IAF MD 5 and IAF MD 11.

Mandatory Disclosure (Tier 1)

This wording is mandated by the Master Page Template Tier 1 variant. It must appear verbatim on this page and on every individual standard page within Tier 1 (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001).

Issued by Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd · UAF / IAS Accredited · QS Recognized (RB066-26) · IAF MLA Recognized · Listed on IAF CertSearch.

Important — QS Recognition vs. Accreditation

QS is the National Recognition Body of the State of Qatar. It is NOT an Accreditation Body. The terminology used on this page reflects this distinction:

  • Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd is ‘QS-Recognised’ — not ‘QS-Accredited’.
  • International accreditation is held by UAF and IAS, both of which are Accreditation Bodies.
  • QS Recognition is national-level acceptance of an internationally-accredited certification body for in-country regulatory and tender purposes.

QS Registration Certificate Particulars (RB066-26)

Field Value
Certificate Number RB066-26
Body Name Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd
Represented By Guardian Middle East LLC (جارديان ميدل ايست ذ.م.م)
Date of Issue 02 April 2026
Date of Expiry 01 April 2027
Address (Qatar) Zone 45, Street 250, Building 67
CR No. QFC 03870
Scope of Registration
  • QMS — ISO 9001
  • EMS — ISO 14001
  • HSMS — ISO 45001
Issued under Ministerial Decree No. 363 of 2018

Note: QS Registration is renewable annually. The current validity is 02 April 2026 to 01 April 2027. Renewal is managed in advance of expiry to maintain uninterrupted recognition. The full registration certificate is available on about accreditation.

Standards in Tier 1

ISO 9001

Quality Management Systems

ISO 9001 is the world's most widely implemented management system standard. It establishes the requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS), focused on customer satisfaction, process control, leadership, risk-based thinking, and continual improvement. ISO 9001 is suitable for organisations of any size, in any sector, anywhere in the world. In Qatar, ISO 9001 certification is the most common entry-level requirement in public-sector tenders and supply-chain qualification.

Standard Page ›
ISO 14001

Environmental Management Systems

ISO 14001 establishes the requirements for an Environmental Management System (EMS), focused on identifying environmental aspects and impacts, complying with environmental obligations, and continually improving environmental performance. ISO 14001 supports Qatar National Vision 2030's Environmental Development pillar and aligns with Qatar's commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Standard Page ›
ISO 45001

Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems

ISO 45001 establishes the requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), focused on preventing work-related injury and ill-health, providing safe and healthy workplaces, and continually improving health-and-safety performance. ISO 45001 superseded OHSAS 18001 and is widely adopted in construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, healthcare, and other sectors with significant occupational risk profiles.

Standard Page ›

Tier 1 Benefits — Summary

  • QS Recognition (RB066-26) for use in Qatari public-sector tenders that require QS-recognised certification.
  • Dual UAF + IAS accreditation providing maximum international choice and redundancy.
  • IAF MLA recognition ensuring global supply-chain acceptance.
  • Public verification on IAF CertSearch — independent certificate verification by any party.
  • Bilingual Arabic / English delivery, certificates, and reports.
  • Sector-specific competence in audit team appointment per IAF MD 11.
  • Integrated audit programmes for organisations operating QHSE management systems.
  • Local QFC-licensed delivery through Guardian Middle East LLC (QFC Licence 03870).

Who Tier 1 Is For

Tier 1 is the appropriate choice for organisations whose stakeholder, regulatory, or contractual requirements include any of the following:

  • QS-recognised certification specifically required by Qatari public-sector tender or procurement process.
  • IAF MLA international recognition required by international supply chains, multinational stakeholders, or cross-border regulatory frameworks.
  • ISO 9001, 14001, or 45001 as the management system standard, individually or as an integrated programme.
  • Construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, healthcare, education, financial services, IT, or other sectors with significant Qatari market exposure.

Tier 1 is not the appropriate choice if your stakeholder requires a specialised standard not covered by ISO 9001, 14001, or 45001 — in which case Tier 2 (ISO 21001, 27001, 37001, 22301), Tier 3 (TNV-issued specialised standards), or Tier 4 (Guardian Approved Scheme) may be appropriate. See /certifications/ for the full portfolio.

Documentation Required

For application processing, Tier 1 typically requires:

  • Commercial registration / trade licence and articles of association.
  • Organizational chart and headcount.
  • Sites in scope (with addresses) and activities to be certified.
  • Quality / environmental / OH&S management system documentation (manual, key procedures, policy statements).
  • Beneficial ownership declaration aligned with QFC General Rule 8A and QFC AML/CFTR 2019.
  • Authorized signatory ID and proof of address.
  • Description of any outsourced processes and their controls.

Specific document lists for each standard are provided on the standard pages: ISO 9001 certification in Qatar, ISO 14001 certification in Qatar, ISO 45001 certification in Qatar.

Timeline & Validity

  • Initial certification timeline — typically 8 to 16 weeks from contract signature to certificate issuance, depending on organisational maturity and audit duration (which is set by IAF MD 5 based on headcount and scope).
  • Certificate validity — 3 years from the date of certification decision.
  • Surveillance audits — annually (Years 1 and 2 of the cycle).
  • Recertification audit — Year 3 of the cycle, typically conducted in the final 4 months. Successful recertification triggers issuance of a new 3-year certificate.
  • Integrated audit programmes — for QHSE clients, the audit programme is integrated where management systems are integrated, with audit duration adjusted under IAF MD 11.

Tier 1 certificates are listed on IAF CertSearch within agreed timelines after issuance, in alignment with IAF MD 22 transparency requirements. Listings are maintained for the full validity period and updated upon surveillance, recertification, suspension, or withdrawal.

GET STARTED — CONTACT GUARDIAN

Guardian Middle East LLC | Serving the Middle East
QFC Licence 03870 · Doha, Qatar

Location: Abo Hamour Area, Doha, Qatar
P.O. Box: 23277, Doha, Qatar
Mobile: +974 7770 2602 | +974 7213 7770
Email:  info@guardian.qa 
Website: www.guardian.qa

Or submit an enquiry: → Contact

Frequently Asked Questions

RB066-26 is the registration number assigned by the Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS) recognising Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd as a certification body for ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001. Guardian Middle East LLC is the represented entity in Qatar. The recognition was issued on 02 April 2026 under Ministerial Decree No. 363 of 2018 and is valid until 01 April 2027.

No. QS is the National Recognition Body of the State of Qatar — it provides national-level acceptance for in-country regulatory and tender purposes. International accreditation is provided by Accreditation Bodies (UAF and IAS in Guardian's case). Tier 1 includes both: QS Recognition for Qatari tenders, plus UAF and IAS accreditation for international recognition under IAF MLA.

Many Qatari public-sector tenders, government procurement frameworks, and large-infrastructure project pre-qualifications specify QS-recognised certification as an eligibility condition. The specific requirement depends on the tender — common references are 'QS-recognised', 'QGOSM-recognised', or 'recognised by the Qatar General Organization for Standardization'. Tier 1 satisfies all such requirements for ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001.

Tier 1 covers ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 with QS Recognition (RB066-26) plus UAF and IAS accreditation. Tier 2 covers ISO 21001, 27001, 37001, and 22301 with UAF and IAS accreditation but WITHOUT QS Recognition (these standards are not within the QS RB066-26 scope). Both tiers carry IAF MLA recognition. The distinction is the QS Recognition: Tier 1 has it, Tier 2 does not.

Yes. Where the client operates an integrated management system covering all three standards, Guardian conducts integrated audit programmes — single audit team, single audit visit, integrated audit findings, integrated certification decision. Audit duration is calculated under IAF MD 11 (Sector-Specific Application) with appropriate reductions for genuinely integrated systems. Three separate certificates may be issued, or a single integrated certificate where applicable.

Typical timeline from contract signature to certificate issuance is 8 to 16 weeks for organisations with mature management systems. Stage 1 audit (documentation/readiness review) is followed by Stage 2 audit (full assessment) at intervals required by ISO/IEC 17021-1. The certification decision follows within approximately 6 weeks of Stage 2 audit closure for routine cases without major nonconformities.

Audit duration is calculated using IAF MD 5 (Audit Duration of QMS, EMS, OHSMS, FSMS) and IAF MD 11 (Sector-Specific Application). Inputs include effective headcount, complexity, sites, sectoral risk, and integration of management systems. The result is a defined number of audit days for each cycle (initial, surveillance Years 1 and 2, and recertification). Specific durations are provided in the audit-team appointment notification before each audit.

Where appropriate and aligned with IAF MD 4 (Use of ICT for Auditing/Assessment Purposes), Guardian may conduct portions of an audit remotely. Determination of remote audit applicability is made on a case-by-case basis considering risk, sector, complexity, and the client's information security posture. On-site audit components are typically required for full effectiveness assessment.

Tier 1 certificates have a 3-year validity. The cycle comprises: Year 1 — initial certification (Stage 1 + Stage 2 + decision); Year 2 — surveillance audit; Year 3 — surveillance OR recertification audit. The recertification audit is typically conducted in the final 4 months of the 3-year period, with successful recertification triggering issuance of a new 3-year certificate.

Visit https://www.iafcertsearch.org and search by certificate number, accreditation body, or organisation name. Tier 1 certificates are listed on IAF CertSearch in alignment with IAF MD 22 transparency requirements. Listings are maintained for the validity period and updated for surveillance, recertification, suspension, and withdrawal events.

Yes. QS recognition under RB066-26 is renewable annually. Current validity is 02 April 2026 to 01 April 2027. Renewal is managed in advance of expiry to maintain uninterrupted recognition. Clients holding Tier 1 certificates issued during the validity period are unaffected by the renewal cycle — the certificate's validity is independent of the recognition renewal.

The use of the QS Mark on certificates and in marketing materials is governed by QS's Use of Marks Policy. Guardian's clients holding Tier 1 certificates may use the QS Mark in accordance with the QS policy and Guardian's own Use of Marks Policy at /legal/use-of-marks-policy/. Material misuse of the QS Mark may trigger a referral to QS and corrective action including suspension.

No. ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management Systems / FSMS) is QS-recognised under various recognition numbers but is not currently within Guardian Middle East LLC's offered scope. ISO 22000 is permanently excluded from Guardian's V1 portfolio. Clients seeking ISO 22000 certification are advised to engage another QS-recognised certification body for that scope.

No — and Guardian cannot provide it. Under ISO/IEC 17021-1 §5.2 and applicable IAF Mandatory Documents, certification bodies must be impartial. Guardian does not provide consultancy, advisory, training, gap-analysis, internal audits, or implementation services to clients seeking certification. Free, generic Implementation Kits are available at /resources/implementation-kits/ — these are not consultancy.

Compliance Notes

Tier 1 certificates are issued by Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd under UAF and IAS accreditation, with QS Recognition under RB066-26 (issued 02 April 2026, expiring 01 April 2027) recognizing Guardian Assessment Pvt Ltd as a certification body for ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 in Qatar. Guardian Middle East LLC is the represented entity in Qatar under QFC License 03870. Both UAF and IAS are signatories of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement; Tier 1 certificates are listed on IAF CertSearch at https://www.iafcertsearch.org. QS recognition is renewable annually under Ministerial Decree No. 363 of 2018.