A single organization can integrate several management systems.
In this context, the ISO 9001 certifying standard makes it possible to optimize the quality management of a company’s products and services. Beyond guaranteeing the uniformity of its merchandise, this management system supports the latter in its social or environmental development and is integrated into its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach.
What is the ISO 9001 quality management standard?
ISO 9001 is an international standard allowing a company to develop a quality management system (QMS).
what is it precisely?
ISO 9001 standard or Quality Management (QMS), definition. The ISO 9001 standard defines a set of principles that an organization must respect to gain efficiency and increase customer satisfaction.
Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the “quality control” standard is part of the ISO 9000 family (including the ISO 9000, ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 standards), which places the quality approach and customer satisfaction at the heart of its operation.
To develop and maintain an optimal quality management system, any organization (large or small, and whatever its field of activity) can use this standard and the tools it offers. Based on a systemic approach, standard 9001 was created to facilitate international trade.
Ultimately, the QMS governs how the company creates and distributes its services according to regulatory requirements and those formulated by customers. The criteria of the ISO 9001 standard range from customer orientation to continuous improvement, including motivation and commitment of management.
The ISO 9001 version 2015 standard: a major evolution of the 2008 standard
Publishing for the first time in 1987, the standard is regularly updated (every 6 to 8 years) to remain in line with current economic and societal issues. The standard was notably revised in 1994, 2000, 2008, and 2015.
The differences between the ISO 9001 standards of 2008 and 2015 are major. The ISO 9001 version 2015 standard (or ISO 9001:2015) includes:
- the context of the company (the economic environment in which it operates);
- interested parties;
- risks and opportunities;
- the performance of the process put in place to achieve the objectives.
The 7 principles of an effective quality management system
The ISO 9001 standard establishes the requirements for a quality management system.
ISO Quality Management Guide:
- Customer orientation (satisfying and retaining current customers);
- Leadership (defining quality objectives);
- Staff involvement (an employee informed of the issues, valued by his superiors, and Competent will do everything possible to achieve the objectives);
- The process approach (each action must be linked to the company’s quality strategy);
- Continuous improvement to create new opportunities (thanks to the Deming wheel);
- Evidence-based decision-making to reduce uncertainty;
- Management of relations with interested parties (improving business performance by communicating and taking into account stakeholder requirements).
These seven principles consider the three areas of QSE (Quality security environment). This triple verification is part of the strategy led by standard 9001 and promotes the implementation of a sustainable development strategy (just like CSR) around a meaningful project.
Why obtain ISO 9001 – Quality Management certification?
Voluntary, ISO 9001 certification the only standard in the ISO 9000 family that can be used for certification offers numerous advantages. Let’s do a check-in.
- Reduce your carbon impact and protect the environment. ISO 9001 Certification and 14001 make it possible to combine productivity and environmental protection.
Contributing to the creation of an environmental management system, the 14001 standard is the most widely used of all the ISO 14000 standards. It helps companies control the environmental impacts linked to their activity – throughout the production cycle.
2)The company undertakes to reduce its carbon footprint. The environmental impact of its activities by carrying out a carbon footprint. An essential point to contribute to the ecological transition of our society.
Take advantage of a competitive advantage. In this context, the quality approach initiated via ISO 9001 certification makes it possible to:
- define the company’s objectives and know-how with greater precision;
- improve customer satisfaction by meeting quality expectations and needs;
- gain competitiveness and differentiate yourself through the implementation of a continuous process improvement approach.
3) Improve performance and control risks.
- Costs decrease under the combined effect of more coherent processes and better organization;
- The company more effectively identifies and responds to applicable legal and regulatory requirements;
- The customer experience is improving, leading to a potential increase in sales;
- Certification missing by an external organization strengthens the notoriety, image, and credibility of the company.
How to obtain ISO 9001 certification?
ISO 9001 certification is offers if the company wishes to communicate its quality commitment to its partners. It remains a real plus.
What are the steps to get it?
Provide the necessary documents
Depending on the size of the company, it is necessary
6 to 18 months to obtain ISO 9001 certification. Knowing this, get ahead and focus now on these 4 mandatory documents:
- The scope of the QMS
- The quality policy
- Quality objectives
- The criteria for evaluating and selecting suppliers
Carry out an internal audit
An internal audit is essential to carry out an inventory of the company’s quality management system. After having defined the scope of action and implemented a quality system meeting. The requirements of the standard and customers, the company checks and evaluates the conformity of its management system.
Implement corrective actions
ISO 9001 certification. Defines them as:
The objective is to find lasting solutions, making it possible to make the QMS compliant with the ISO 9001 standard. In this sense, employees improve processes.
Pass the ISO 9001 standard audit
Valid for 3 years, the certification constitutes a real guarantee of quality for stakeholders.
To deliver ISO 9001 certification to the company, the auditor focuses on two stages:
- Examination of the documentation: the auditor of the certification body ensures compliance of the documentation with the requirements of ISO 9001 certification.
- The main audit: the auditor goes to the site to verify the company’s compliance with the standard in question.
At the end of the audit, the auditor shares his observations in a closing meeting.
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