ISO 9001 Quality management systems

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Whether you're looking to improve business performance, strengthen customer confidence, access new markets, secure tender opportunities, or meet customer requirements, ISO 9001 provides a recognised framework for managing quality and continual improvement.
 

Used by organisations of all sizes across the world, ISO 9001 helps demonstrate that effective processes are in place to consistently deliver products and services that meet customer requirements.

ISO 9001 is the world's most widely adopted Quality Management Standard.

It provides a framework for managing business processes, customer requirements, risks, opportunities and continual improvement.

The standard helps organisations establish effective ways of working, improve consistency and demonstrate their commitment to quality.

Applicable to both product and service-based organisations, ISO 9001 can be implemented by businesses of any size, from small enterprises through to multinational organisations.

ISO 9001 certification is an independent assessment of your Quality Management System by a Certification Body.

We strongly recommend selecting a UKAS-accredited Certification Body to ensure certification is independently recognised and accepted by customers, procurement organisations and other stakeholders.

Certification provides independent verification that your management system meets the requirements of ISO 9001 and is being effectively implemented throughout the organisation.

A review of your existing arrangements to identify strengths, areas of conformity and opportunities for improvement against the requirements of ISO 9001. 

Developing a practical management system that supports the way your business operates whilst satisfying the requirements of ISO 9001. This may include: 

• Quality Policy development
• Process mapping
• Procedure development
• Risk and opportunity management
• Objectives and performance measures
• Operational controls
• Supporting documented information

Developing and implementing an internal audit programme to verify that the management system has been implemented effectively and is achieving its intended outcomes. 

Conducting internal audits to assess conformity, identify opportunities for improvement and support readiness for certification assessment. 

Supporting the investigation of findings, the implementation of corrections and the development of effective corrective actions where required. 

Reviewing the performance and effectiveness of the management system to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective. 

The Certification Body reviews documented information and management system arrangements to determine readiness for Stage 2 assessment. 

A detailed assessment of implementation and effectiveness throughout the organisation. Auditors will review records, sample activities, assess processes and interview personnel to determine conformity with ISO 9001 requirements. 

Where the management system is found to conform to the requirements of ISO 9001 and any audit findings have been satisfactorily addressed, the organisation may be recommended for certification following completion of the Stage 2 assessment. 

The Certification Body completes its independent certification decision process before certification is issued. 

Certification is maintained through annual surveillance audits, which assess continuing conformity and the ongoing effectiveness of the management system. 

A recertification audit is typically undertaken every three years to maintain certification and demonstrate continued compliance with the requirements of the standard. 

There is no fixed timescale for achieving certification. The duration of the certification journey will depend on several factors, including: 

• Size of the organisation
• Complexity of operations
• Scope of certification
• Existing management systems
• Availability of resources
• Number of locations
• Current level of compliance

A Gap Analysis can help determine the level of support required and establish a realistic route to certification.

We provide practical support throughout the certification journey, helping organisations understand requirements, develop effective management systems and prepare for independent certification assessment. 

Support can include: 

• Gap Analysis
• Quality Policy Development
• ISO 9001 Implementation
• Process Mapping
• Procedure Development
• Internal Audit Programme Development
• Internal Auditing
• Management Review Support
• Certification Readiness Reviews
• Stage 1 Audit Preparation
• Stage 2 Audit Preparation
• Corrections and Corrective Action Support
• Surveillance Audit Preparation
• Outsourced Quality Manager Services
• Ongoing Quality Management Support

Whether you require support with a specific project, additional resources during implementation, or ongoing quality management expertise, services can be tailored to suit the needs of your organisation.