How LRQA started

We were established in 1985 in response to the first quality standard, BS 5750, which was launched by the UK Government.

We were the first certification body to gain accreditation for issuing quality management system (QMS) certificates. We achieved this from the National Accreditation Council for Certification Bodies, now known as the United Kingdom Accreditation Council (UKAS).
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1985 - LRQA marks the beginning of the global 3rd Party Certification Industry

LRQA marks the beginning of the global 3rd Party Certification Industry by receiving the first accreditation number (001) for ISO 9001.

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1995 - LRQA once again receives accreditation number 001

LRQA once again receives accreditation number 001, this time for ISO 14001, helping organisations successfully manage their environmental performance.

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2003 - LRQA begins process of revolutionising the certification industry.

LRQA begins process of revolutionising the certification industry as global research shows businesses demand more than ‘check-list’ approach to meet their needs.

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2005 - Switch of emphasis to 'meeting business objectives'

LRQA is first to switch emphasis from 'meeting standards' to 'meeting business objectives' with the launch of Business Assurance. Through a themed approach, businesses can now benefit from increased surveillance of the areas that matter most to their business.

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2007 - LRQA introduces Prism

Prism, the first stepped approach to the introduction of management systems, enabling businesses to demonstrate a commitment to achieving certification by combining additional management systems with their existing ISO 9001 (QMS) at their own pace.

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2010 - LRQA introduces risk-based methodology - Business Assurance from LRQA

2010 - LRQA introduces risk-based methodology - Business Assurance from LRQA

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LRQA has been consistently first to meet the assessment needs of business. For more than 25 years, our people have been at the forefront of all the major developments that have shaped the independent assurance industry. 

Today, it is with our help that organisations globally can be confident their systems and operations meet the demands of stakeholders with a view to helping ensure long term sustainable growth. 

Of course, LRQA is not stopping there. We are already working on the challenges that will face the businesses of tomorrow.