Quality Management Systems - ISO 9001
People are becoming more intellectual and well informed, and their expectations are growing. The only way businesses can keep up with this is by offering a real commitment to quality. Any organisation can have a real future in this demanding marketplace by employing a well planned and documented quality management system like ISO 9001.
What is a quality management system (QMS)?
A quality management system is a well documented system that ensures consistency and improvement of working practices, including in the production and delivery of products and services. They are based on a set of standards that specify a process for achieving effective quality management. ISO 9001 is the most commonly used international standard that provides a framework for a QMS.
What is ISO 9001?
A quality management system is a well documented system that ensures consistency and improvement of working practices, including in the production and delivery of products and services. They are based on a set of standards that specify a process for achieving effective quality management. ISO 9001 is the most commonly used international standard that provides a framework for a QMS.
Integration of ISO 9001
In order to effectively use the ISO 9001 standard to manage your organisation’s processes, there are a few steps to consider.
- Define what your organisation does and how it goes about its business
- Capture this in the form of documentation
- Carry out your organisation’s operations effectively
- Demonstrate this capability to your stakeholders through registration
Implementation of a Quality Management System
Every organisation wanting to implement a quality management system must consider following a few key steps
Purchase a copy of the standard – Before developing a QMS, get a copy of the standard. Read and familiarise with the concepts.
Review supporting documents – A wide range of quality supporting documents are available on the Internet for better understanding and implementation.
Build a core team who agrees with your strategy: Start the implementation process by building the organisational strategy with top management. Since the responsibility for a QMS lies with top management, it is crucial to involve them from the beginning. Build a core team of process owners with the support from top management.
Take training – There are plenty of workshops, seminars and training courses whether you are a quality manager or process owner trying to implement a QMS or a senior manager seeking to increase your general awareness of ISO 9001:2015.
Take training – There are plenty of workshops, seminars and training courses whether you are a quality manager or process owner trying to implement a QMS or a senior manager seeking to increase your general awareness of ISO 9001:2015.
Consider consultancy options – Get advice from independent third-party consultants like UQS on how best to implement your quality management system. They will take care to ensure that you avoid any costly mistakes owing to their experience in implementing a QMS.
Create a quality management system – Establish, implement, maintain and improve the QMS continually in line with ISO 9001:2015. The processes you create need to adhere to the Plan-Do-Check-Act + Risk Based Thinking methodologies.
Make supporting documentation
– A QMS documentation outlines why you do the business, how you apply the standards and how you operate your business in a systematic manner. It will include all the processes and procedures. Basically, it tells how you complete a task by describing who does what, in what order and to what standards.
Make supporting documentation
– A QMS documentation outlines why you do the business, how you apply the standards and how you operate your business in a systematic manner. It will include all the processes and procedures. Basically, it tells how you complete a task by describing who does what, in what order and to what standards.
Implement your QMS – Communication and training are cornerstones of proper implementation. During the implementation phase, everyone operates according to established procedures and collects data that demonstrates you are doing what you promised you will be doing.
Perform Internal Audit and Management Review – At regular intervals, conduct an internal audit and a management review to check whether the QMS is working according to the requirements. It should be effective and sufficient for your organisation’s operations.
Select a registrar – A registrar is a third party who comes and assesses the effectiveness of a QMS, and then issues a certificate if it meets the standards. Selecting a registrar can be challenging and you must consider factors like industry experience, price, geographic coverage, and level of service offered. The key is to find a registrar who meets your requirements. You can reach out to us for any help with choosing a registrar.
Get registration Arrange an initial assessment with your registrar. The registrar will review your QMS and evaluate whether you are eligible for registration. If eligible, you will get a registration.
Continuous assessment –
After receiving registration and getting the certificate, you can advertise and promote your business. You can maintain your registration by continuing to use your quality system. The registrar will periodically check this to ensure the QMS continues to meet the standards.
QMS Registration – Registration to ISO 9001 happens when an accredited third party visits an organisation, assesses the quality management system and issues a certificate to show that the organisation abides by the principles set out in ISO 9001:2015.
The QMS certificate is a sign of credibility which saves you from having to prove your quality standards to your customers. ISO 9001 provides a global validation. Once you are certified, it is valid for 3 years and is subject to the annual surveillance audit.
Why do I need registration? – Getting a registration to ISO 9001 through any of the different certification bodies will empower your organisation to flourish. Whether you are expanding locally to bring new business or seeking ways to operate internationally, ISO 9001 will let you demonstrate to potential customers that you commit to quality standards.
The frequent assessments will ensure the continual use, monitoring and improvement of your processes. The registration can improve the overall performance, eliminate uncertainty and increase market opportunities.
Implementation of a Quality Management System
Every organisation wanting to implement a quality management system must consider following a few key steps.
Purchase a copy of the standard
Before developing a QMS, get a copy of the standard. Read and familiarise with the concepts.
Review supporting documents
A wide range of quality supporting documents are available on the Internet for better understanding and implementation.
Build a core team who agrees with your strategy
Start the implementation process by building the organisational strategy with top management. Since the responsibility for a QMS lies with top management, it is crucial to involve them from the beginning. Build a core team of process owners with the support from top management.
Take training
There are plenty of workshops, seminars and training courses whether you are a quality manager or process owner trying to implement a QMS or a senior manager seeking to increase your general awareness of ISO 9001 series.
Consider consultancy options
Get advice from independent third-party consultants like UQS Consultants on how best to implement your quality management system. They will take care to ensure that you avoid any costly mistakes owing to their experience in implementing a QMS.
Create a quality management system
Establish, implement, maintain and improve the QMS continually in line with ISO 9001. The processes you create need to adhere to the Plan-Do-Check-Act + Risk Based Thinking methodologies.
Make supporting documentation
A QMS documentation outlines why you do the business, how you apply the standards and how you operate your business in a systematic manner. It will include all the processes and procedures. Basically, it tells how you complete a task by describing who does what, in what order and to what standards
Implement your QMS
Communication and training are cornerstones of proper implementation. During the implementation phase, everyone operates according to established procedures and collects data that demonstrates you are doing what you promised you will be doing.
Perform Internal Audit and Management Review
At regular intervals, conduct an internal audit and a management review to check whether the QMS is working according to the requirements. It should be effective and sufficient for your organisation’s operations.
Select certification body
A registrar is a third party who comes and assesses the effectiveness of a QMS, and then issues a certificate if it meets the standards. Selecting a registrar can be challenging and you must consider factors like industry experience, price, geographic coverage, and level of service offered. The key is to find a registrar who meets your requirements. You can reach out to us for any help with choosing a registrar.
Get certification
Arrange an initial assessment with your registrar. The registrar will review your QMS and evaluate whether you are eligible for registration. If eligible, you will get a registration.
Continuous assessment
After receiving registration and getting the certificate, you can advertise and promote your business. You can maintain your registration by continuing to use your quality system. The registrar will periodically check this to ensure the QMS continues to meet the standards.
QMS Registration
Certification to ISO 9001 happens when an accredited third party visits an organisation, assesses the quality management system and issues a certificate to show that the organisation abides by the principles set out in ISO 9001.
The QMS certificate is a sign of credibility which saves you from having to prove your quality standards to your customers. ISO 9001 provides a global validation. Once you are certified, it is valid for 3 years and is subject to the annual surveillance audit.
Why do I need registration?
Getting a certification to ISO 9001 through any of the different certification bodies will empower your organisation to flourish. Whether you are expanding locally to bring new business or seeking ways to operate internationally, ISO 9001 will let you demonstrate to potential customers that you commit to quality standards.
The frequent assessments will ensure the continual use, monitoring and improvement of your processes. The certification can improve the overall performance, eliminate uncertainty and increase market opportunities.
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