How to Successfully Implement ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Implementing ISO 9001:2015 certification can bring numerous benefits to businesses, such as increased efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and a competitive advantage in the marketplace. However, obtaining certification can be complex and challenging without proper guidance and expertise. 

As an ISO certification company, we have helped countless businesses successfully implement ISO 9001:2015 and achieve certification. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions and valuable insights to help your business successfully implement ISO 9001:2015 certification and reap the benefits of a quality management system.

What are the ISO Standards?

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a non-governmental organization that develops and publishes international standards that cover a broad range of industries and sectors. ISO standards provide specifications, guidelines, and criteria for products, services, and systems to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and compatibility.

Some of the most well-known ISO standards include:

• ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), 
• ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems), 
• ISO 27001 (Information Security Management Systems), 
• ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems), 
• ISO 50001 (Energy Management Systems),
• ISO 20000 (Information Technology), and
• ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management)

ISO standards are developed by experts from various industries and countries, with input from stakeholders such as government agencies, consumer groups, and businesses. The standards are reviewed regularly and updated to remain relevant and useful in a rapidly changing world.

What is an ISO 9001:2015 Certification?

ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized standard for quality management systems (QMS) that provides a framework for businesses to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve their quality management system. ISO 9001:2015 certification is a formal recognition by a third-party certification body that an organization's quality management system meets the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard.

ISO 9001:2015 certification is not a one-time event; it requires ongoing commitment and dedication to maintaining a quality management system that meets the standard's requirements. By obtaining ISO 9001:2015 certification, a business can demonstrate its commitment to quality management and provide assurance to its customers, stakeholders, and employees that it is committed to continuous improvement and delivering high-quality products and services.

What is a Quality Management System (QMS)?

A Quality Management System (QMS) is a structured and systematic approach to managing an organization's activities and processes to ensure they consistently meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations. The QMS provides a framework for the company to manage and improve the quality of its products or services and the processes used to produce them.

By implementing a QMS, organizations can improve their performance and efficiency, reduce costs and waste, and increase customer satisfaction. The ISO 9001:2015 standard provides a framework for implementing a QMS that can be independently certified, providing external validation of a business's commitment to quality management.

Why do you need an ISO 9001:2015 Certification?

Obtaining certification to ISO 9001:2015 demonstrates a business's commitment to quality and its ability to meet customer requirements and regulatory obligations consistently.

Here are some reasons why a business may seek ISO 9001:2015 certification:

1. Improved customer satisfaction: By implementing ISO 9001:2015, companies can enhance their ability to meet customer needs and expectations. This results in greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.
2. Increased efficiency: ISO 9001:2015 provides a structured approach to managing processes, which can lead to greater efficiency, productivity and cost savings.
3. Competitive advantage: ISO 9001:2015 certification can differentiate a business from its competitors and enhance its reputation, especially when competing for business with customers who require ISO certification as a prerequisite.
4. Enhanced risk management: ISO 9001:2015 requires companies to identify and manage risks and opportunities, leading to more effective risk management and increased resilience.
5. Access to new markets: ISO 9001:2015 certification can provide access to new domestic and international markets, where certification is a minimum requirement for doing business.

Overall, ISO 9001:2015 certification can help businesses achieve operational excellence and improve their bottom line by improving processes, enhancing customer satisfaction, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Implementing an ISO 9001 Certification

Implementing ISO 9001:2015 can be a challenging process, but here are some tips and techniques to help companies successfully implement the standard:

1. Commitment from top management: Top management should be committed to implementing ISO 9001:2015 and provide the necessary resources and support to ensure its success.
2. Establish a quality management system team: Form a team responsible for implementing ISO 9001:2015. The team should be composed of members from different departments and levels of the business.
3. Conduct a gap analysis: Conduct a gap analysis to determine where the organization stands with regard to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. Identify the gaps and develop a plan to close them.
4. Define and document processes: Define and document the processes necessary to meet the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. Ensure the processes are clearly defined, documented, and detailed to all relevant parties.
5. Train employees: Train employees on the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and the organization's quality management system, helping to ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in the implementation of ISO 9001:2015.
6. Establish performance indicators: Establish performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of the quality management system. Use these indicators to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement.
7. Conduct internal audits: Conduct internal audits to assess the quality management system's effectiveness and to identify improvement opportunities.
8. Continual improvement: Improve the quality management system continually by identifying and addressing non-conformances, conducting management reviews, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.

By following these tips and techniques, businesses can successfully implement ISO 9001:2015, achieve, and retain certification.

How to verify ISO 9001 Certification

To verify if a business is ISO 9001 certified, you can follow these steps:

1. Ask the organization: The most straightforward way to verify if a business is ISO 9001 certified is to ask them directly. They should be able to provide you with a copy of their certificate or other relevant documentation.
2. Check with the certification body: The certification body that issued the ISO 9001 certificate should have a record of the certified organization on their website. You can check the certification body's directory or database to verify the business's certification status.
3. Use the ISO Online Certifications Directory: The ISO Online Certifications Directory is a free online tool that allows you to search for certified companies by their name, location, and certification standard. This directory provides a list of organizations certified to ISO 9001, along with their certification body and the date of their certification.
4. Check the certificate's validity: ISO 9001 certificates are valid for three years, after which they need to be recertified. You can check the certificate's validity by contacting the certification body or checking the certificate's expiry date.

Where to get your ISO 9001:2015 Certification

There are several places for ISO certification in the UK and globally. QAS International is a UK-based ISO certification company that offers ISO certifications to companies and businesses across the globe. 

To find out more about our certifications, contact us today.