1. Certification application & application review

The organization contacts GIC Vietnam for guidance and provides information about the proposed certification scope, locations, organizational structure, relevant personnel, products and services, areas and types of innovation, initiative management processes, outsourced activities, innovation partners and system complexity. GIC Vietnam reviews the application to determine its ability to provide the service, the competence required of the audit team, audit duration and audit conditions, and then agrees with the organization on the scope, fees and certification contract.

2. Audit planning & preparation

GIC Vietnam establishes the certification program, appoints an audit team with competence appropriate to the organization's sector, innovation model and complexity, and prepares a detailed audit plan. The plan defines the audit objectives, scope, criteria, locations, schedule, audit methods and the processes, units or initiatives to be sampled. It is communicated to the organization so that the necessary documentation, personnel and evidence can be prepared.

3. Audit process

The audit is conducted in two stages:

• Stage 1: Review the organizational context, scope and documented information; innovation intent, policy, strategy and objectives; risks and opportunities; key operational processes; internal audit; management review; and readiness for Stage 2.
• Stage 2: Evaluate the implementation, conformity and effectiveness of the system at locations within the certification scope, including how opportunities are identified, initiatives are managed, resources are allocated, collaboration is controlled, knowledge and intellectual property are managed, performance is measured and learning is applied. Principal activities include: Opening meeting → Interviews and review of records → Sampling of processes, units and initiatives → Consolidation of findings → Closing meeting. A certification audit does not score an organization's level of creativity and does not guarantee the success of any individual initiative.

4. Audit report & handling of nonconformities

The audit team prepares a report setting out its conclusions and any identified nonconformities. Where necessary, the organization takes immediate correction, analyzes the root cause, and proposes and implements corrective action within the prescribed timeframe. GIC Vietnam reviews the evidence and may conduct a follow-up audit where necessary before submitting the file for independent review.

5. Review & certification

A person independent of the audit team reviews the complete certification file, audit report and evidence of corrective action and makes the certification decision. When all requirements have been met, GIC Vietnam decides to issue an ISO 56001:2024 certificate with a clearly defined scope. The certificate remains valid throughout a three-year certification cycle, provided that the organization continues to conform and completes the required surveillance audits.

6. Periodic surveillance & recertification

During the certification cycle, GIC Vietnam conducts periodic surveillance audits to confirm that the system continues to be maintained and remains effective. The first surveillance audit is conducted no later than 12 months after the initial certification decision. The organization must notify GIC Vietnam of significant changes to its scope, structure, locations, strategic direction, innovation model or ownership that may affect certification. Before the certificate expires, a recertification audit is conducted to determine whether certification may be renewed for the next cycle.