Q & A on ISO9001

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What is ISO9001?

ISO9001 is the world’s most recognised business standard for quality in terms of the product or service that is delivered to a customer.

Why should we gain ISO9001?

Accreditation to ISO9001 demonstrates not only that whatever a product or service is, that it is delivered in a consistently quality manner. It also demonstrates a commitment to reducing errors whilst increasing levels of customer satisfaction.

Who is ISO9001 aimed at?

ISO9001 is suitable for all types of organisation, from sole traders to Public Limited Companies who want to demonstrate they are a ‘quality organisation.’

How would you sum up ISO9001?

The philosophy of ISO9001 is ‘to meet and exceed customer expectation.’  All business processes within an ISO9001 accredited company should work towards identifying what the customer wants and then exceeding their expectation. 

Explain to us how it works?

It is quite technical so please speak to us if you would like to chat it through. Essentially ISO9001 follows the standard ISO management standard template, called Annex L (formerly annex SL until 2019), which allows for ISO9001 to be easily integrated into other management standards, such as ISO14001 (Environmental), ISO45001 (Health & Safety) and ISO27001 (Information Security), to name a few.  Annex L is structured as follows:

0: Introduction

1: Scope

2: Normative references

3: Terms and definitions

4: Context of the organization

5: Leadership

6: Planning

7: Support

8: Operation

9: Performance evaluation

10: Improvement

 

Or in simpler terms:

0: Introduction

1: The range/extent of the management system

2: Other documents of high relevance needed to implement this one

3: Terms and definitions

4: Who are we in our market sector? What internal and external things affect us? Do any other organisations or people have an interest in us, and if so what is that interest? What is our scope and how does our whole quality system work together?

5: The requirements of top management

6: Addressing risks and opportunities, setting out the objectives in the plan and any changes

7: Non-operational support processes

8: How we market, sell, design, buy and ‘do’ (manufacture or provide our service or good, as well as managing the doing.)

9: How we make sure that we are being excellent (or not)

10: Identifying where we can strive for greater excellence

Can you sum up how will ISO9001 help our company?

The benefits speak for themselves:

  • Improvements in an organisation’s efficiency and effectiveness
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction
  • Lower costs and the prevention of wastage
  • Increased sales and profits
  • Competitive advantage over rivals
  • Requirement within invitations to tender
  • Requirement within supply chains
  • Requirement for ‘public sector’ work.

Get in touch and let us help you on your ISO journey. We’re here to hold your hand as lightly or as tightly as you may need.