ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is an international standard for quality management. It was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and establishes the criteria for an effective quality management system.
The ISO 9001 standard defines the requirements an organization must meet to ensure that its products or services comply with customer needs and stakeholder expectations. It provides a framework for implementing quality management processes, including the identification of risks and opportunities, planning and controlling activities, managing resources, measuring and monitoring performance, and pursuing continuous improvement.
The main objective of ISO 9001 is to provide a quality management system that helps organizations achieve customer satisfaction through the improvement of internal processes and the effective management of resources. ISO 9001 certification is an acknowledgment that an organization has successfully implemented a quality management system that meets the required standards.
ISO 9001 is applicable to any type of organization, regardless of size or industry. Many customers and governmental bodies require suppliers to be certified according to ISO 9001 to demonstrate their ability to deliver products or services that meet quality requirements.
In summary, ISO 9001 is a standard that promotes the adoption of a process-based, continuously improving quality management system aimed at meeting customer needs and achieving operational excellence.
There are several reasons why a company should consider implementing the ISO 9001 standard and obtaining certification. Here are some of the main benefits:
Improved quality
ISO 9001 provides a structured framework for implementing a quality management system that helps improve the quality of products or services offered by the company. This results in greater customer satisfaction, fewer complaints, and an enhanced corporate reputation.
Greater operational efficiency
Implementing ISO 9001 requires a thorough analysis of business processes, identifying inefficiencies and potential improvements. This enables the company to optimize operations, reduce waste, improve delivery times, and increase overall productivity.
Access to new markets
ISO 9001 certification is often required by national and international customers as a supplier qualification. Achieving certification can open up new business opportunities, allowing the company to participate in tenders or be considered a preferred supplier by large organizations or public entities.
Customer and stakeholder trust
ISO 9001 certification is tangible proof that a company is committed to quality and continuous improvement. This increases trust from customers and stakeholders such as investors, suppliers, and employees.
Improved decision-making processes
Implementing ISO 9001 requires clear definitions of responsibilities, communication flows, and decision-making processes within the organization. This leads to greater organizational clarity and more informed, data-driven, goal-oriented decisions.
Continuous improvement
ISO 9001 promotes the concept of continuous improvement, encouraging companies to constantly monitor performance, gather customer feedback, and apply corrective or preventive actions when needed. This creates a culture of learning and adaptation that drives long-term growth.
In summary, implementing the ISO 9001 standard can bring numerous benefits to a company, including process optimization, increased customer trust, access to new markets, and ongoing improvement. However, it is important to carefully consider the costs and efforts required for implementation and ensure that it aligns with the organization’s goals and needs.
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFICATION PROCESS
A management system is the way an organization manages the interrelated parts of its business in order to achieve its objectives. These objectives may relate to various areas, including product or service quality, operational efficiency, environmental performance, occupational health and safety, and many others.
The level of complexity of the system will depend on the specific context of each organization. For some organizations—especially smaller ones—it may simply mean having strong leadership from the business owner, providing a clear definition of what is expected from each employee and how they contribute to the organization’s overall objectives, without the need for extensive documentation. More complex companies operating in highly regulated sectors, however, may require extensive documentation and controls to comply with legal obligations and achieve organizational goals.
• Step 1 – Request for Quotation
The client submits a request for a quotation for certification.
• Step 2 – Initial Evaluation of Information
The Technical Secretariat reviews the completeness of the information and, with the support of the Technical Manager, issues the quotation.
• Step 3 – Commercial Confirmation
The client sends QSHellas a signed order confirmation.
• Step 4 – Audit Planning
Once the dates have been agreed with the client and the auditor, the Technical Secretariat sends the official audit schedule to the client for acceptance.
• Step 5 – Certification Audit
Execution of the audit at the client’s site. If the audit is successful:
• Step 6 – Case Review
Verification of documentation completeness and file review by the Technical Manager.
• Step 7 – Certification Committee
Issuance of the certificate.
• Step 8 – Certification
The certificate is sent to the client first in electronic format and then in hard copy.
The measures required by ISO 37001 are designed to be integrated with existing management processes and controls. The standard follows the common high-level structure used by ISO management system standards, enabling easy integration with standards such as ISO 9001. New or improved measures can be incorporated into existing systems.