ISO 9001 is an internationally-recognised standard that helps businesses establish a quality management system (QMS). This will demonstrate to customers, suppliers and other stakeholders’ the business’s commitment to ensuring all the products or services they provide are of the highest quality.
Although achieving ISO 9001 certification is not mandatory for businesses and organisations, the benefits include:
- Streamlining, developing, modernising and improving central processes and procedures
- Consistently improving and progressing operations
- Reducing overhead costs
- Increasing customer trust and satisfaction
- Preserving and maintaining positive relationships
- The opportunity to win new business
- Developing a strong, sustainable business
What are the ISO 9001 requirements?
ISO 9001 expects the business to work in a specific way in several important areas:
- Recording every step of the product or service journey, including raw materials, from start to the finished item
- Creating and implementing systems enabling the business to engage with customers via effective customer service. This includes listening and responding to complaints as well as feedback, and supplying product or service information when asked
- Demonstrate commitment to regular performance reviews through the use of meetings and internal assessments
- Achieve consistent, ongoing improvement for ISO 9001 certification
Implementing a Quality Management System (QMS)
The ISO 9001 standard sets out the main directives required in implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) for certification. These are:
Context of the Organisation – the purpose of the business or organisation and its strategic direction regarding the quality of product and service. It will need to consider:
- the internal and external factors that impact the quality of products or services.
- identifying stakeholders, including employees, suppliers and any other parties.
- measures adopted to understand their customers and their needs.
Leadership – a commitment of senior management and leadership team to take responsibility for:
- creating a comprehensive Quality Management System.
- establishing quality objectives and policies.
- communicating the defined quality objectives and policies to employees responsible for their products and services.
- conducting and managing annual quality management reviews.
Planning – committing to:
- document any potential risks including the chance of occurrence and their severity.
- develop plans to reduce or prevent risks and their effects.
- integrate and measure effective ISO 9001 plans to improve product and service quality.
Support – providing adequate resources to ensure the optimum operation of an effective Quality Management System, including delivering:
- A strong, robust infrastructure.
- Effective and efficient working environments.
- An effective HR management team.
Operation – setting out the work required to adopt, develop and deliver their products or services to customers, including the:
- quality objectives and requirements of the business or organisation’s products or services.
- processes, procedures, resources and documents needed by employees to produce their products or services successfully.
- monitoring, testing and inspection required to ensure the ongoing quality of products and services.
- rules and regulations governing the creation and storage of the business or organisation’s records.
Performance Evaluation – measure and analyse the processes and procedures, including recording and documenting the tasks, to:
- demonstrate the Quality Management System conforms to the requirements of ISO 9001.
- ensure all aspects of the QMS are applied.
- support and ensure continual quality management improvements across the organisation.
Improvement – creating measures that will ensure continual improvement including:
- improvement of products or services for the betterment of the business or organisation.
- striving to better match customer needs and improve customer satisfaction.
- identifying processes and procedures that are not achieving goals, adjust and update them accordingly.
At JR Consultants, we work with product and service businesses to provide a clear, reliable and accurate guide through the ISO 9001 certification process.
