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Why does my company need to be ISO certified?
What is ISO 9001 certification? We just got a big customer and they require it, but no one else does. We are getting big enough that we're getting into standards territory, which I know we should embrace, bu there's so much work involved. Is this an important one?
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5 Answers
Scott:
ISO is not an all or nothing program for your company. You can become ISO certified in specific areas. It's not a bad way to start since you don't have the engage your entire company, just the part of it that you desire to have certified. Once you have been through the process, you can then determine if you want to continue on to other parts of your organization.
I was part of an ISO team for a major U.S. transportation company. They were a vendor for a leading automobile manufacturer, who required ISO certification. Instead of seeking ISO certification for the entire company, we simply isolated the motor vehicle transporation elements of the company and worked with a consultant (they made it a lot simpler just because they knew the ropes) to obtain ISO certification for that part/function/service of the company..
ISO certification ensures your company has an appropriate quality program in place. It helps your potential customers know that, and that's really why they ask for it. You may have a good quality program in place. For ISO certification, you need to document that.
You could look at it somewhat like the Baldridge Award. Not everyone wants to (or thinks they can) win the Baldridge Award, but using the Baldridge check list ensures your organization's structure is sound.
how can i get an ISO for my company
ISO is important if it's important for your clients (now and future). It is a long process to get certified and would recommend hiring someone just for that. You can make ISO as simple or complicated as you want. I have seen two companies go through the process - one was a job shop so it was more complicated and the other made it's own products so once it was set up, it was just a matter of maintenance. Don't just look at this for today but what it means to your business in the future.
To be clear - ISO 9000 is basically a company-wide set of processes and policies around quality control that is managed by the International Organization for Standardization. I believe larger companies that 1) create products, 2) have manufacturing operations, 3) are parts suppliers and/or 4) have large overseas business are more likely to get certified as ISO-compliant. For example, a large manufacturer may require that their suppliers are ISO certified to "ensure" a certain level of quality. It used to be that certain companies had to be ISO-certified to do business with many European markets and companies (not sure if that's still the case).
We could help you prepare your company for ISO Certification. We are providing assistance (consultation) in the preparation of the firm/company who wishes to be certified by any certifying body in their QMS, EMS,OHSAS, ISO/TS 16949:2009 & Integrated Management System ( IMS) and other applicable standards. We are also providing trainings (technical and behavioral) either public or in house. With providing quality services as our main thrust, we assure you of our total commitment and unmatched support that your organization truly deserves.
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