A significant change to the ISO 9000 series is replacing “management commitment” with “leadership and commitment”. The leadership and commitment clause requires organisations to actively take accountability for their quality management systems.
Ongoing commitment is an organisation’s dedication to ensuring that the quality objectives and policies are established in the quality management system and are in line with the context and direction of the company. Top management must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, impartiality, and implementation of ISO standards.
Importance of Commitment to Quality
Commitment helps top-quality management deploy the resources required for implementing and maintaining the ISO certification. Their engagement and involvement are required throughout the organisation to provide quality products and services.
The objectives and policies should be meaningful to the organisation and created to drive the organisation. They also facilitate the integration of the management system into your business operations.
The other benefit of an ongoing commitment to ISO certification is that you can achieve customer satisfaction. Satisfaction is crucial to the organisation’s short and long-term objectives. An organisation’s commitment to being ISO certified can help boost customer confidence.
Ongoing commitment to ISO certification may also involve carrying out routine internal audits to ensure compliance with regulations. Organisations that demonstrate their commitment to quality are more likely to be recognised globally and can easily penetrate new markets.
How to Demonstrate Commitment to ISO Certification
Involvement of Top Management
The support of top management can help establish and implement a quality management system. There is no need to implement the quality standards if other priorities take over the advantages of ISO implementation and certification. Without the commitment of the organisation’s executives, the management system is overtaken, and the benefits of continual improvement are lost.
Considering Opportunities and Risks
Risk-based thinking is another essential step to showing an organisation’s commitment to quality. Top management should focus on identifying and addressing all risks affecting an organisation. While you may not need to maintain a risk register for ISO 9001, you will need to monitor, analyse and evaluate all the risks and opportunities.
Track Metrics
As stated earlier, organisations should be accountable for the effectiveness of their quality management system. The organisation should also report on its management systems’ status and spot improvement opportunities.
By defining metrics, the organisation’s management can allow the quality department team to report on key performance indicators and assist in creating room for improvement. Management reviews in meetings can help ensure that quality objectives are achieved.
How Best Practice Biz Can Help
Best Practice Biz is an accredited ISO certification body ready to help you achieve the benefits of ISO certification. We will provide you with the resources you need to implement and show commitment to maintaining ISO standards. Contact us today whether you want certification services for ISO 14001, ISO 9001, or ISO 45001.
