To remain ahead of the game and your competitors we all need checks and balances in place. Otherwise, your business or organisation would find it difficult to maintain consistency and quality across your industry and across the globe. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provides direction in standards which help to keep a level playing field which can be applied to any size and any type of business or organisation.
ISO certification supports a management system, e.g. a manufacturing process, service, or documentation procedure has all the requirements to meet the standard and quality assurance for your customers. Certificates are provided by an independent, non-governmental certification body, who are accredited by a national accreditation; e.g. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole national accreditation body recognised by the British government to assess the competence of organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services
ISO certifications exist in many areas of industry, from any sector and ISO Standards are in place to ensure consistency.
ISO 9001 Definition
For example, lets look at the quality certification ISO 9001:2015 which includes three components; ISO, 9001, and 2015. Here’s what each component represents.
ISO
The International Organization for Standardization is commonly referred as ISO. International Standards make things work. They give world-class specifications for products, services and systems, to ensure quality, safety and efficiency. They are instrumental in facilitating international trade.
ISO has published 22776 International Standards and related documents, covering almost every industry, from technology, to food safety, to agriculture and healthcare. ISO International Standards impact everyone, everywhere.
9001
The number appearing after ISO classifies the standard. All standards within the ISO 9000 family refer to quality management. ISO 9001 is among ISO’s best-known standards which DTC Consulting Ltd can support and it defines the criteria for meeting a number of quality management principles. It helps businesses and organisations be more efficient providing continual improvement throughout the business and more importantly improving the customer experience and increasing customer satisfaction.
2015
The final number in an ISO standard refers to the version of the standard that’s being met and is represented by the calendar year those standards were launched.
Why do I Care?
If an organisation advertises as being certified to “ISO 9001″ this means that the organisation has met the requirements of the standard under ISO 9001.
This is where ISO 9001 requires organisation’s define and follow a quality management system can be supported by DTC Consulting Ltd, which that is both appropriate and effective while also requiring them to identify areas for improvement and take action toward those improvements.
As a result, it’s typically understood that an organisation who have ISO 9001 certification is an organisation with products and services that meet quality standards.
ISO Certification Explained
ISO is appropriate for any business, any size, form any sector or industry.
By conforming to ISO standards, you are demonstrating your commitment to follow processes which align with your business. It will allow you to speak a common language to other businesses or organisations who use ISO standards as they too can identify with the structured approach used.
Designed to be a powerful business improvement tool, having an ISO management certification can help you to:
- Continually improve, streamline operations and reduce costs
- Win more business and compete in tenders
- Satisfy more customers
- Be more resilient and build a sustainable business
- Show you have strong corporate governance
ISO standards is a high-level structure which provides a common theme across most of the standards and across those businesses or organisation which use ISO standards. You will know the standards that need to be met, and the tools which are required in place to ensure conformance in quality, consistency, and safety.
ISO certification standards also help keep your products and services relevant to legislation and ensures you have the right regulations for your business activity. When the standards change, your business moves along with them.
Although ISO state there is no requirement to achieve certification you could still benefit from using ISO standards. However, if you want to demonstrate conformance to a standard certification can certainly help. Certification can open doors to public sector contracts and attract other clients as well an increasing additional supplier capability.
