What Does ISO 22301 Actually Cost?
ISO 22301 certifies your Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). Costs depend on organizational complexity and the number of critical processes. Here is a realistic breakdown for 2026:
| Approach | Estimated Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Full DIY (internal team only) | $20,000 – $50,000 | 8 – 14 months |
| Automation platform + auditor | $10,000 – $30,000 | 3 – 6 months |
| Consultant + auditor (traditional) | $35,000 – $90,000 | 6 – 12 months |
The biggest line items are the certification audit ($10,000 – $30,000), Business Impact Analysis ($5,000 – $15,000 with a consultant), and BC plan development and testing.
Budget Tier Recommendations
Startup budget (under $15,000): Use an automation platform to generate BIA templates, BC plans, and manage evidence. Pair with a smaller certification body that offers competitive rates for single-site certifications.
Mid-market ($15,000 – $35,000): Automation platform plus a mid-tier certification body. Budget for facilitated tabletop exercises to test your BC plans.
Enterprise ($35,000+): Multi-site certification with complex supply chain dependencies. Budget for full-scale BC exercises and dedicated business continuity management roles.
Our Recommendation
For the cheapest path, we recommend LowerPlane — starting at $4,000/year, it automates evidence collection, generates BIA templates and BC plan frameworks, and pre-maps your controls to ISO 22301 clauses. Customers typically reduce certification costs by 30% because auditors spend less time on evidence requests.
Where to Cut Costs
- Start with a single site. Certify your primary location first and expand scope in subsequent surveillance audits.
- Automate evidence collection. Manual evidence gathering for continuity controls is labor-intensive — let the platform handle it.
- Use BIA templates. Platform-generated Business Impact Analysis templates save weeks of consultant time.
- Bundle with ISO 27001. Many certification bodies offer combined audit discounts for ISO 27001 and ISO 22301.
Where Not to Cut Costs
- The Business Impact Analysis. A thorough BIA is the foundation of your entire BCMS. Cutting corners here undermines everything else.
- BC plan testing. Untested plans are untrusted plans. Budget for at least tabletop exercises annually.
- The certification body. Choose an accredited body recognized in your industry and geography.
Get Started
Try LowerPlane → and see how much you can save on your ISO 22301 certification journey.