What is ISO 9001?
Quality Management System
Benefits of ISO 9001
Internationally recognized standard – As the most popular Quality Management standard globally, ISO 9001 automatically opens your business to overseas markets. Your overseas customers will feel assured of the quality of your business, products, or services.
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Improve your business through improved working practices – By reviewing all aspects of the business with a QM in place, you highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of your company. You can build on the strengths and address the weaknesses. Additionally, you can set up processes to combat weaknesses, leading to savings in time and energy. After all, time is money!
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Demonstrate that you listen to your customers – You encourage employees to focus on customer needs and satisfaction by maintaining good communication. Employees act on feedback and use processes to handle complaints efficiently.
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Better documentation – By documenting processes, you can quickly identify and resolve any problems, ensuring all work is recorded from start to finish.
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Strong leadership – Senior Management takes responsibility for creating the QM, establishing processes and objectives, communicating with staff, and managing annual reviews. This guarantees close involvement and commitment from management.
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Involving and motivating employees – Encouraging feedback shows employees that their opinions matter, leading to improved work practices and fostering teamwork.
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Versions of ISO 9001
- ISO 9001:1987
Introduction: The first version of the standard was released in the year 1987.
– Focus: This edition defined the basics of QMS, examining the concept of quality assurance in manufacture and service industries.
- ISO 9001:1994
– Revision: This second edition was published in 1994.
– Focus: Focused on maintaining and documenting processes, especially on customer satisfaction and improvement. It also brought out the idea of “prevention of non-conformity.”
- ISO 9001:2000
– Revision: This major revision was published in 2000.
– Focus: It implemented process orientation and shifted more focus to the clients and improvement. The standard complied with current business, and a more free-form approach to documentation was put into practice.
- ISO 9001:2008
– Revision: The 2008 revision was a minor update to the 2000 version.
– Focus: This revision provided clarifications and improved consistency with other management system standards. However, it did not change the structure or major elements of the 2000 version. It only made some adjustments for clarity and improved implementation.
5 ISO 9001:2015
– Revision: The last one was released in 2015.
– Focus: The current edition is based on a high-level structure (HLS), top-down approach, risk-based thinking, leadership, and a more explicit link with strategy. It widened the possibility of its applicability and compatibility with the other management systems with deep emphasis on the organizational goals and aims along with the improvement in the customer satisfaction level.
ISO 9001 Requirements
ISO 9001 consists of eight sections (clauses), but only five are mandatory, with the exception of the Product Realization section. This section allows some leeway for a company to exclude sections that are not applicable. The five key elements are as follows:
- QM (Quality Management System) sets out the necessary processes to ensure strong leadership and employee involvement. This approach guarantees that goods or services maintain high quality. As a result, customer focus improves.
- Management Responsibility outlines the management’s responsibility to implement a QM with a Quality Policy and Quality Objectives. Consequently, employees become aware of these aspects. Management also needs to carry out annual reviews.
- Resource Management specifies the need for a company to provide sufficient resources for implementing a QM, including infrastructure, work environment, and human resources. It emphasizes appropriate training and awareness.
- Product Realization outlines the processes to ensure that client requirements are known and followed from planning through to the finished product or service. This includes inspecting, testing, and monitoring the product while documenting and storing each stage.
- Measurement Analysis and Improvement focuses on measuring customer satisfaction and continually monitoring the product and processes. This process helps analyze data to make necessary improvements or correct recurring problems. This clause addresses the effectiveness of your QM.
The Certification Process for ISO 9001 will include
- Assessment
- Build and use management system
- Verification that processes are followed
- Document and analyze non-conformance
- Completion to customers satisfaction
- Audit
Get Started with ISO 9001 Certification Today!
Improve your business and gain access to different opportunities for its development with the help of ISO 9001 certification. Make sure that your processes are compatible with the standards adopted in other countries and leave your customers with nothing but positive impressions. Contact us today to get started and transform your operations with ISO 9001!
