The ISO standards are set by the International Organisation for Standardisation. This is the official global governing body for quality management systems. They are the gold standard. ISO 9001 is the most recent guideline for quality management and while it is not a requirement for businesses, it is definitely a game-changer. ISO 14001 targets environmental management, implementing policies to govern environmental impact. In this blog, we’ll explore what you need, to become ISO certified in Australia.
What Is ISO 9001?
Any company would do well to apply the standards of the quality management system (QMS) to their business procedures. The ISO 9001 is the international standard for QMS and can be used for organizations or businesses of any size to streamline all processes used to create products and services.
The ISO 9001 standard provides guidelines for:
- Operations management
- Resource management
- Planning processes
- Documentation
ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION FROM BEST PRACTICE
What Is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 assists a company in identifying resources and processes for managing their impact on the environment. This is done by implementing an Environmental Management System that targets environmental aspects of your company and helps you to meet regulatory requirements.
ISO 14001 Certification from best practice
Why Become ISO Certified?
It isn’t required to become ISO certified, but there are definite benefits. Industry groups like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices base their own standards on the ISO standard. In fact, many companies will only do business with other companies that are ISO 9001 certified.
In addition, ISO 9001:2015 certification demonstrates that you meet the requirements of continual improvement in areas of customer service and quality assurance for goods and services. Having this certification is a trust-builder for customers and clients.
What Do I Need for ISO Certification?
You may choose to do an internal audit to see if you meet standards, but the process can get complicated. Since there are so many measurable outcomes that must be addressed, the best option (if possible) is to have third-party professional services come in to help you get started.
There are seven clauses that a company must measure against to become certified. (There are 10 full clauses, but the first three are merely introductory). The seven include:
- Context of the Organization
- Leadership
- Planning
- Support
- Operations
- Performance Evaluation
- Improvement
For ISO 14001 you will need to learn about the standards of 14001 and conduct a gap analysis to find areas of improvement. You then have to educate your company and get lined up with standards. This can be done alongside your ISO 9001 training.
The Certification Process
Once you’ve gone through the requirements of the ISO standards and created compliance in the company, you’ll need to start the certification process. The International Organisation for Standardisation does not perform certifications itself but asks you to use an accredited third party. The certification audit is typically performed through Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) which are regulated by a governing organization called JAS-ANZ.
This certification body will grant ISO certifications after conducting an internal audit to ensure that the company is meeting all standards. Once you achieve certification, they will conduct yearly surveillance to ensure that you continue to meet standards.
While this may seem like a lot to do, the benefits of these ISO certifications are worth the trouble. By certifying, you earn the right to display certification and add credibility to your company or organization. For more information on how ISO certifications can benefit your business, get in touch with Best Practice Biz.
