ISO 9001 (or, to give it its full title ISO 9001:2015, Quality management systems – requirements) is an internationally recognized standard that sets out the requirement for an ISO Quality Management System (QMS).
It was initially developed by the British Standards Institute and is known as BS 5750. It became an international standard in 1991 when published under the auspices of the International Standards Organization (ISO).
While originally product-focused (and mainly of interest to manufacturing businesses), it has evolved through several iterations into a standard focused on managing the processes that make up an organization’s activities. As such, it is now globally applicable to all kinds of organizations.
The purpose of the Standard is to provide a framework for an organization to develop a management system that will …
Consistently meet customer requirements, that is, consistently provide a product or service that meets specification or other agreed/recognized criteria, and
Enhance customer satisfaction through continual improvement of the management system.
Fundamental to fulfilling achieving these objectives are two features …
A Quality Policy – the intentions and direction of an organization as formally expressed by its top management and consistent with the context of the organization, and
Quality Objectives – measurable targets, generally specified for relevant organizational functions, levels, and processes – focused on improvements.
External Auditors will persistently pay great attention to these four issues.
What are the Benefits of Having ISO 9001 Certification?
All organizations certified to ISO 9001 by an accredited Certification Body will enhance their:
Customer satisfaction: First and foremost, ISO 9001 Certification is about satisfying customers and then improving and enhancing their experience in doing business with you. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Reputation: be taken seriously as a prospective supplier as the holder of ISO 9001 Certification, which is based on the independent assessment of an accredited certification body.
Qualificationsfor pre-tender and tender opportunities, especially from the public sector.
Status: Be on equal terms with the ‘big’ boys’ – the size of your organization won’t hold you back.
Risk management. While not a requirement, is implemented by most certified organizations as the basis of quantifying threats of all kinds to the business and then proactively dealing with them.
Objectives and improvement obligations focus on setting targets for improvement and then planning and implementing them in a timely manner.
Processes and procedures suited to the Mission and strategic objectives you have set for the organization.
Internal audits to monitor compliance with requirements and highlight deficiencies.
Informed Board of directors knowing that the organization is focused on strategic objectives while satisfying customers, and planning and acting to address future challenges.
Management satisfaction knowing that the organization is functioning in line with strategic objectives and satisfying customers.
Minimal costs for maximum gain: the costs of maintaining certification are minimal compared to the potential created by having an ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System.
Reduce errors: Fewer costly errors, less rework, replacement of goods and/or services and increased productivity.
Fewer customer complaints as fewer errors occur.
Better retention of customers: again, a consequence of reduced errors.
Management performance improved as less time was spent apologising to customers and managing the unnecessary repetition of work.
When is the right time to get ISO 9001:2015 Certified?
You can go forward for Certification too soon. With start-ups, things are in a state of flux for some months or perhaps some years. When we went forward for ISO 29990 Certification (an ISO 9001 family standard specifically for Learning Providers and since replaced by ISO 21001 certification) we were in business for four years.
We needed to wait until processes and the associated procedures had bedded in. All startups do need to wait until that kind of stability is achieved. After all, startups are about ‘running as hard as you can with the ball’ and not about documenting things that are liable to radical change next week!
But once you are satisfied that processes and procedures are bedded in, go for it. You definitely won’t regret it. Your customers, your board, your staff and your bank manager will all thank you for it. And you’ll sleep easier in your bed knowing that your business and the satisfaction of your customers in under control.
Is ISO 9001 Auditor Training mandatory?
A course in quality management for a Management Representative or others with day-to-day responsibility to maintain a QMS is NOT mandatory. Training is implied as part of developing competence but not a specific stand-alone requirement.
However, the ISO 9001 does require competence of all personnel whose work affects quality and that certainly includes a course in quality management systems and the auditing of same for audit programme managers and internal auditors.
Need more information about getting an ISO 9001 certification?
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Questions Answered
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Do Management Representatives or others responsible for a Quality Management System or QMS need training?
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Can I get ISO 9001 training online?
Here you'll find the ISO 9001 Training Course you want
Your specific needs will determine which is the best course for you.
Click on the button below that best describes your requirement. The Course best suited to your neds will then display.
If you are a Management Representative or something similar, and don’t feel confident about ISO 9001:2015, this Lead Implementer course is for you. See what an efficient and effective QMS looks like here.
Take this Lead Auditor course if you need an in-depth knowledge of ISO 9001: 2015. This is the certification you need if you hope to audit for a Certification Body.
The ISO 9001 Lead Implementer Certification course is what you need. This includes the 33-step Path to Certification, a 100+ page ISO 9001: 2015 Implementation Handbook, sample SOPs, and record forms.
It also comes with examples of audit schedules, management review agendas, and environmental programmes. Loads of practical tips and materials that can be helpful to a new QMS consultant are included as well.
Update your internal auditor certification in accordance to the updated requirements of the ISO 9001 standard with this ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor refresher course.
To see an overview of our training courses, please visit our Home Page.
If you’re an ISO Auditor who wants to add new standards to your certification, check out our Extension Courses.
If you’re an ISO auditor who wants to update your certification according to recent standards, check out our Conversion Courses.
And for those who need to migrate a Management System to a newly revised ISO Standard, visit Transition Courses.
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On-line study at my own pace is most suitable learning media to me. The course is timely with the latest 2019 edition of the Standard coupled with value for money package.
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