Cost of Manufacturing Control Systems
across the UK

# Manufacturing Control Systems Accreditation

In the UK, manufacturing control systems providers may hold accreditation from several key bodies depending on their specialism. The Engineering Industries Association (EIA) and the British Standards Institution (BSI) are among the most recognised, with BSI certification indicating compliance with ISO standards such as ISO 9001 for quality management. For companies dealing with safety-critical systems, ATEX certification (for equipment used in explosive atmospheres) or PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) compliance may be relevant, whilst those serving the automotive sector often require IATF 16949 accreditation. The National Measurement and Accreditation Service (UKAS) provides independent verification of testing and calibration capabilities. Understanding which accreditation applies to your industry is crucial, as different manufacturing sectors have distinct regulatory requirements, and holding the appropriate credentials demonstrates a provider has met defined technical and operational standards.

Verifying a provider's accreditation is straightforward and essential before committing to a contract. Most reputable trade bodies maintain online registers where you can confirm current certification status, scope, and expiry dates; the BSI website and UKAS directory are good starting points. Ask the provider directly for their certificate reference number and check it independently rather than relying on their marketing materials alone. It also pays to confirm the accreditation covers the specific services you need—a company may hold ISO 9001 but not necessarily ISO 13849-1 (safety of machinery control systems), for example. This verification matters because accredited providers are subject to regular audits, have documented processes, and are accountable to the trade body if standards slip, giving you recourse and assurance that your system will be designed and installed to recognised safety and quality benchmarks.

Accredited manufacturing control systems providers typically charge 10 to 25 percent more than non-accredited competitors,