Many entrepreneurs hesitate to embark on the ISO 9001:2015 certification journey, fearing it to be a complex process. However, the most crucial part of ISO 9001 certification is understanding the typical process of implementing a quality management system, which is actually straightforward to apply. Let’s explore the practical steps involved.
Primarily, ISO 9001 certification involves process-based organization, strong managerial commitment, and systematic reviews to ensure the system remains aligned with changes in the business environment. While many companies have already implemented processes—sometimes without fully realizing it—they may need to adjust certain aspects to meet ISO 9001 requirements. This effort is far from pointless, as having an effective and high-performing management system is essential for running a successful business.
Several factors can influence a company’s ISO 9001 certification process, including:
- The resources and tools provided by management to achieve certification;
- The motivation behind the organization's decision to get certified, additional company requirements, and the scope of the quality management system;
- The current state of the management system and the maturity of its processes, and how they align with standard requirements;
- The ability of top management to engage employees in the quality implementation project and secure their full support;
- The time available to design, implement, stabilize, and maintain the quality system, ensuring it aligns with the project’s goals;
- The assessment of potential risks that could negatively impact business operations and the strategies chosen to mitigate or reduce them.
The best way to determine whether a company has properly implemented all standard requirements is to create a checklist while reviewing the standard, addressing questions such as: “How do we comply with this requirement?” “Can we provide evidence?” “Can we improve our business operations in this specific area?”
Now, moving briefly to some theory, ISO 9001 was first published in 1987 by the ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and it belongs to a family of standards, including:
- ISO 9001:2015, which outlines the requirements for a certifiable quality management system and is based on seven principles that top management can use to facilitate continuous improvement;
- ISO 9000:2015, which defines the fundamentals and terminology of quality management systems;
- ISO 9004:2018, which focuses on advanced quality and, in particular, continuous improvement;
- ISO 19011:2018, which provides guidelines for auditing quality management systems.
The primary objective of ISO 9001 is to help businesses enhance customer confidence and increase profitability. Implementing ISO 9001 can assist companies in structuring a quality system, continuously improving processes, saving money, and ensuring both workforce and customer satisfaction.
If you are considering obtaining ISO 9001 certification, you have come to the right place. ACSQ provides the expertise and knowledge necessary to conduct a thorough audit of your operations and verify compliance with ISO 9001 requirements. Contact us today to start this journey together: call us at +39 02.58320936 or email us at