ISO 9001 is an international standard for a quality management system (QMS). There are several different documents in the ISO 9000 family of standards, but ISO 9001 is the most popular and the only standard in the series that requires certification.
By definition, a Quality Management System or QMS is a collection of policies, processes, documented procedures and records which outlines the set of rules that determines how an organisation creates and delivers its products or service to the customers. It must be tailored to the specific needs of the company as well as the products or services provided. ISO 9001 provides guidelines to ensure that any important elements that a QMS needs to be successful are not overlooked.
The first version of the standard, ISO 9001, was published in 1987 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This was replaced by ISO 9001:2008 in 2008 and now, the latest edition (ISO 9001:2015) was published in 2015 following more than three years of revision work by experts from nearly all 95 participating and observing countries.
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 9001:2015 is the internationally recognised standard that outlines the requirements for the creation, implementation and maintenance of a Quality Management System. The main goal of this standard is to improve the overall experience and satisfaction of customers. Additionally, it also aims to improve the internal systems of the organisation, allowing it to produce quality products and services while promoting consistent on-going growth and trust in the company.
It’s worthy to note that ISO 9001:2015 is not a standard aimed at defining product quality but rather a process-based standard used to monitor and control product processes to meet the required results.
Who can become certified?
Any organisation, regardless of its size or industry, is eligible to become certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. The ISO 9001 structure is split into ten sections. The first three are introductory, with the last seven outlining the requirements for the Quality Management System. These are:
Overall, for an organisation to become certified, it must submit several documents that report its internal processes, procedures and standards. These documents demonstrate the company’s ability to provide consistent quality products and services. After certification, the organisation must be re-certified every three years in order to maintain their ISO 9001 certification status.
How ISO 9001: 2015 can benefit an organisation
As mentioned, any organisation can make use of a Quality Management System knowing that it will greatly benefit their future operations. Here are just a few of these benefits:
How WWISE can help
WWISE helps in setting up the quality management system and integrating it with existing management systems for compliance with relevant ISO standards. We also provide training, GAP analysis audits, internal and external audit services, and assist with the certification process. Thereafter, we offer a compliance maintenance programme.
For further guidance on the right ISO Standard for your business contact WWISE on 08610 99473 or visit www.wwise.co.za.