Certification timeline
Every stage, with dates and status updates.
From submission through assessor review, evidence review and scoring to the published decision — see exactly where a certification file stands and what happened when.
The stages
How a certification file progresses.
Each stage is recorded on the file as it completes, with the date and the outcome.
Normal target: approximately 6–8 weeks. The target runs from acceptance of a complete application and confirmation that the organisation is ready to begin. Timing can vary with organisation size, evidence readiness, Employee Experience participation, clarification requirements and organisation response times. Stages may overlap, so they are not added together. Improvement or remediation after an unsuccessful assessment is outside this target.
01 · Application
Submission received and the certification file opened.
- Cost
- No fee to apply. The applicant receives a written acknowledgement with the application reference.
- Requires
- Completed application form, authorised representative, proposed scope and work email.
02 · Eligibility
Scope, entity and eligibility confirmed by WWEC Certification Administration.
- Cost
- A fee proposal is issued based on the organisation-size band, chosen package and number of scopes. Proposal valid for 15 calendar days.
- Requires
- Entity and scope documentation; confirmation that the scope is within WWEC's certification coverage.
03 · Evidence
Evidence uploaded by the organisation and reviewed by assessors.
- Cost
- 70% of the applicable fee is payable on execution of the commercial agreement before evidence review begins.
- Requires
- Signed commercial agreement; evidence submitted through the evidence portal against the agreed assessment plan.
04 · Assessment
Assigned assessors review the file against the eight dimensions.
- Cost
- Included in the agreed assessment fee. Remote assessment is included.
- Requires
- Complete evidence set; assessor access to documentation and, where required, virtual or on-site interviews.
05 · Independent review
A WWEC Certification Reviewer, separate from the assessor, reviews methodology application, evidence sufficiency, scoring, Mandatory Requirements, Employee Experience sufficiency and completeness.
- Cost
- Included in the agreed assessment fee.
- Requires
- Assessor findings and proposed scores recorded on the file.
06 · Decision
The WWEC Certification Decision Panel makes the certification decision.
- Cost
- Included in the agreed assessment fee.
- Requires
- Assessment and independent review complete; decision taken against the approved certification rules.
07 · Verification
WWEC Certification Administration issues the certificate and establishes the public verification record.
- Cost
- The remaining 30% is payable before release of the final certification documentation and certificate administration.
- Requires
- Certified decision recorded; scope statement and certificate prepared; public listing published if the organisation consents.
08 · Improvement
Improvement priorities agreed. Any improvement or remediation after an unsuccessful assessment is outside the normal 6–8 week target.
- Cost
- Renewal/re-certification at the end of the 12-month validity period is quoted separately at the then-current applicable rate.
- Requires
- Improvement plan agreed; renewal/re-certification scheduled before certificate expiry.
Your file
Look up a certification timeline.
Access is controlled by the application reference and the authorised representative's work email.
Timeline entries record process steps only. Progress through the stages does not imply or guarantee a certification outcome.
Upload supporting documents in the evidence portal.