What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is a standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system. It helps businesses and organizations to be more efficient and improve customer satisfaction.
A new version of the standard, ISO 9001:2015 Certificate, has just been launched, replacing the previous version (ISO 9001:2008 Certificate).
What is a quality management system?
- A quality management system is a way of defining how an organization can meet the requirements of its customers and other stakeholders affected by its work.
- ISO 9001 is based on the idea of continual improvement.
- It doesn’t specify what the objectives relating to “quality” or “meeting customer needs” should be but requires organizations to define these objectives themselves and continually improve their processes in order to reach them.
Who is ISO 9001 for?
- ISO 9001 is suitable for organizations of all types, sizes and sectors.
- In fact, one of the key improvements of the newly revised ISO 9001:2015 certificate was to make it more applicable and accessible to all types of enterprises.
- Smaller companies that do not have staff dedicated to quality can still enjoy the benefits of implementing the standard – ISO has many resources to assist them.
What benefits will it bring to my business or organization?
- Implementing a quality management system will help you:
- Assess the overall context of your organization to define who is affected by your work and what they expect from you. This will enable you to clearly state your objectives and identify new business opportunities.
- Put your customers first, making sure you consistently meet their needs and enhance their satisfaction. This can lead to repeat custom, new clients and increased business for your organization.
What are the key improvements?
Structure
ISO 9001:2015 Certificate now follows the same overall structure as other ISO management system standards (High-Level Structure), making it easier for anyone using multiple management systems. See Annex SL of ISO/IEC Directives Part 1 (the rules for developing ISO standards) for further information.
Focus on risk-based thinking
This has always been part of the standard, but the new version gives it increased prominence. More information can be found on the Website run by ISO/TC 176/SC 2, the group of experts behind the standard (www.iso.org/tc176/sc2/public).
What benefits does the ISO 9001:2015 bring?
The new version of the standard brings the user a number of benefits.
- ISO 9001:2015 Certificate: Puts greater emphasis on leadership engagement
- Helps address organizational risks and opportunities in a structured manner
- Uses simplified language and a common structure and terms, particularly helpful to organizations using multiple management systems
- Addresses supply chain management more effectively
- Is more user-friendly for service and knowledge-based organizations.
