How to get ISO Certification?
You might have seen this quality mark on companies shown above various times. But what does it really mean? And how to get ISO Certification? Let’s jump right in and go through the basics first.
1
What is ISO Certification?
ISO is the International Organization for Standardization. It was created with the foundation of facilitating international coordination and unification of industrial standards that lead way to the development of trade.
The standards are made up of “documents that provide requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose”.
Each standard stands for a different good, service, or process. It is up to the company to decide which standard best fits the needs of the company.
There are currently more than 20,000 published standards. Two examples are the ISO 9000 family of standards that deal with the quality of products and services and the ISO 14001 family, which helps companies and organizations manage their environmental responsibilities, among others.
2
What are the benefits of getting ISO certification for your company?
At QMS, our drive and motto is building a stronger society through certifications, because we truly believe that standards touch almost every aspect of our lives. Through certifications, not only are we ensuring the quality that we expect, but we also make a positive difference to a vast range of industries.
Among the many benefits, certification can help you win contracts. If you are looking to bid and win tenders, for example, being ISO certified will significantly impact your ability to be adopted as a supplier, especially for work in the Public Sector.
Moreover, certification adds credibility to your business, thus increasing customer satisfaction and confidence in your brand. Other benefits include cost savings and greater market share.
3
How to get ISO Certification?
The ISO does not certify organizations itself. To become certified, you need to contact a third-party certification body just like us that will audit your organization and determine whether your management system meet the criteria of the ISO chosen standard.
4
Work With A Consultant
To begin the certification process, many companies decide to hire a consultant. Through their expertise and knowledge, a consultant will guide you on which standard is right for you, help you develop or amend your company’s management system and processes, become compliant, and provide the tools necessary to stay compliant.
5
Pre-assessment Visits
Prior to committing to the official assessment process, or while the System is still under development, the Client may request a Pre-assessment Visit. During this visit, assessment techniques are employed to identify potential deficiencies in the System or its components. While the findings are not provided in the form of detailed Non-conformances, a list of identified deficiencies is prepared and issued to the Client.
6
Apply for ISO Certification
At this step, you should apply to become ISO certified through a third-party certification body, also known as registrars. The registrar will audit your company’s documents and management system against the requirements of the standard and decide whether it’s ready for certification.
During the audit, it is necessary to demonstrate that your system is effective. You can contact QMS to receive a no-obligation quote.
7
ISO Renewal
Each granted certification is valid for 3 years. However, every year, the registrar conducts a surveillance audit ensure continued adherence to your quality management system to the requirements of ISO standards.
