Familiarity with ISO 9001 standard
ISO 9001 is the most famous, practical and important ISO standard for which it is possible to be ISO certified .
We recommend that you read the previous article about ISO 9001 standard in the certificates section entitled ISO 9001 to get acquainted with how to obtain ISO 9001.
This standard addresses quality management issues and the requirements of ISO 9001 are applicable to all organizations, companies, institutions, guilds and… with any activity and any size.
Remember that ISO 9001 is a quality management standard and deals with quality issues from a holistic point of view and not in a detailed and technical way. This issue has made this standard as the most popular system and quality management standard for all companies and organizations with any activity in the world.
To obtain a valid ISO, be sure to read the article on recognizing a valid ISO certificate , and if you need any guidance and advice, contact the isosystem experts.
ISO 9001 vs. ISO 9000
Many people are wondering what is ISO 9001? Although these questions are very different, the applicants are the same.
It is true that there is a document and standard called ISO 9001 and it is also true that there is another document and standard called ISO 9000, but these two titles represent two different documents. Although both are related to the issue of quality, they are not the same. The standard that is currently implemented in organizations and for which certification is done is the ISO 9001 standard.
This article is currently based on the question “What is ISO 9001?” is concentrated. In a few words, we can say that ISO 9001 is a type of quality management standard, in other words, it is the most important and famous ISO management standard.
ISO 9001 standard
ISO 9001 indicates an accepted method of doing something. For example, stop signs are always octagonal, and this is a standard. This is the way to accept them. If you want to be creative and create a square stop sign, you will have a hard time finding a buyer for the product.
Or a company is required to comply with certain requirements in the processes of purchasing raw materials, production process, warehousing, etc., in order for the product of today or the product of yesterday or tomorrow to be no different.
The ISO 9001 standard contains accepted methods for operating and improving your company. The term “quality management system” is often used in the standard. The term refers to the processes of your organization that affect the final product or service, and basically, it is all you do, everything from planning, selling to delivering the product.
For each process in QMS (Quality Management System), there are rules that you must follow. This list provides you with a variety of quality management system requirements in the standard:
- Define, control and improve processes within your company
- Creating a leadership role
- Plan for expected results and changes
- Identify and address risks and opportunities
- Manage all resources (equipment, tools, staff)
- Create documentary information (methods, work instructions, maps, files, etc.)
- System monitoring (measurement, audit, inspection, etc.)
- Find and solve problems and their causes
- Improve all processes
As a specific example of a requirement, read the following to see what ISO 9001 needs for your Quality Management System (QMS) domain.
Paragraph 4.3 of the ISO 9001 standard states: “The organization must determine the scope and application of the quality management system in order to be able to determine the purpose.”
This means that you have to determine two things:
1. Which processes, products or services are considered part of the QMS (Quality Management System) of the organization?
2- What are the requirements for our company?
Implementation of ISO 9001
To understand the importance of the ISO9001 implementation project, you must meet the requirements listed in this standard and applicable in your organization. This can be difficult or strange at first. But there are consultants who can make this process not only possible but also relatively easy.
We hear some customers say, “It’s expensive to get an ISO certification!” But this is not the case at all. By paying the cost of implementing and receiving ISO certification, companies create advertising prestige for their organization by receiving ISO certification while enjoying standard benefits, which include productivity and cost reduction. Organizations that have a valid ISO certification have more credibility in the eyes of customers.
ISO 9001 certification
Another decision you need to make, or the ultimate goal, is to certify or claim to meet standard requirements.
Certification means that an external auditor reviews and audits the following items in your organization:
- Define, control and improve processes within your company
- Creating a leadership role
- Plan for expected results and changes
- Identify and address risks and opportunities
- Create documentary information (methods, work instructions, maps, files, etc.)
- System monitoring (measurement, audit, inspection, etc.)
- Find and solve problems and their causes
- Improve all processes
Conclusion on ISO 9001
The ISO 9001 standard includes requirements for controlling business processes, the quality of your organization’s products and services. Next to it, ISO 9000 is written to help ISO 9001 users understand the basics and quality requirements.
Although learning and implementing requirements can be a daunting task, there are consulting firms to help and guide you through the project. You do not have to go the route of implementing the standard alone as there are many consultants who can make this project a seamless and effective experience.
The goal of the ISO 9001 standard is for companies around the world to comply with a set of rules or requirements that are universally accepted. Which will ultimately add value to the organization.