ISO 9001:2015 QMS
Quality Management System
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is a standard that sets out the requirements for a Quality Management System. It helps businesses and organizations to be more efficient and improve customer satisfaction.
A new version of the standard, ISO 9001:2015, has been launched, replacing the previous version, ISO 9001:2008.
What is a Quality Management System?
- A Quality Management System is a way of defining how an organization can meet the requirements of its customers and other stakeholders affected by its work.
- ISO 9001 is based on the idea of continual improvement.
- It doesn’t specify what the objectives relating to “quality” or “meeting customer needs” should be, but requires organizations to define these objectives themselves and continually improve their processes in order to reach them.
Who is ISO 9001 for?
- ISO 9001 is suitable for organizations of all types, sizes and sectors.
- In fact, one of the key improvements of the newly revised ISO 9001:2015 was to make it more applicable and accessible to all types of enterprises.
- Smaller companies that do not have staff dedicated to quality can still enjoy the benefits of implementing the standard – ISO has many resources to assist them.
Examples of success with ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is used successfully all over the world. In 2013 alone, over one million certificates to the standard were issued across 187 countries, and many other companies and organizations have used the standard without seeking certification.
Success with ISO 9001 can take many forms. For some enterprises, it is all about attracting new clients, while others see it as the blueprint for internal efficiency.
What benefits will it bring to my business or organization?
Implementing a Quality Management System will help you:
- Assess the overall context of your organization to define who is affected by your work and what they expect from you. This will enable you to clearly state your objectives and identify new business opportunities.
- Put your customers first, making sure you consistently meet their needs and enhance their satisfaction. This can lead to repeat customers, new clients and increased business for your organization.
- Work in a more efficient way as all your processes will be aligned and understood by everyone in the business or organization. This increases productivity and efficiency, bringing internal costs down.
- Meet the necessary statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Expand into new markets, as some sectors and clients require ISO 9001 before doing business.
- Identify and address the risks associated with your organization
Will it help me increase my profits?
ISO 9001 can help bring financial benefits in a number of ways:
- Using ISO 9001 can increase productivity and efficiency, thus lowering the costs of an organization.
- Using ISO 9001 can improve customer experience, resulting in repeat business, increased sales and additional income for your business.
- Getting certified to ISO 9001 can enhance your reputation, attracting new customers to your organization.
Transitioning to 9001:2015
What are the key improvements?
Structure: ISO 9001:2015 now follows the same overall structure as other ISO Management System Standards (High-Level Structure), making it easier for anyone using multiple management systems.
Focus on risk-based thinking: This has always been part of the standard, but the new version gives it increased prominence.
What benefits does the new version bring?
- Puts greater emphasis on leadership engagement
- Helps address organizational risks and opportunities in a structured manner
- Uses simplified language and a common structure and terms, particularly helpful to organizations using multiple management systems
- Addresses supply chain management more effectively
- Is more user-friendly for service and knowledge-based organizations