7 Steps to Cost-effective ISO 9001 Certification

ISO 9001 certification is a necessity for most businesses in their competitive industries because of its relevance in validating a business’s quality management framework. Every ISO standard is subjected to revisions every 5 years, ensuring the standard changes according to new market trends, policies, or expectations of the customers. Therefore, even though ISO certification implementation can be a complex process, businesses seek to achieve it often with the help of dedicated consultants. 

Many small and large businesses seek ISO certification to demonstrate their quality excellence, and here we have mentioned some simple ways to get your business ISO 9001 certified. 

Understanding ISO 9001 Requirements

The first step is preparing for ISO 9001 certification, which requires knowing the standard well. The certification requirements define the quality management system or QMS aspects that the business should consider. The certification requirements are based on the quality expectations of the customers and the objectives of the business, and adhering to each requirement is essential. Therefore, you need to be aware of them.

Choosing the Right ISO Consultant 

It is advisable for businesses, especially small ones that lack a dedicated quality assurance team, assurance to get external assistance. There are several tasks involved in the certification process that only dedicated quality assurance experts can handle. Therefore, hiring ISO 9001 consultants with hands-on experience with quality assurance is recommended. They will help you with the distinct tasks of the certification process, such as document development, gap analysis, resource allocating, staff training, auditing, and so on. 

Gap Analysis

You need to understand that the QMS should be implemented by complying with the defined requirements of the ISO 9001quality management model. After starting the certification process and hiring a consultant, you need to evaluate what is lacking in your present QMS. This means the aspects which are not present but are needed to meet the ISO 9001 requirements. To find these aspects, you must conduct a gap analysis with the help of your consultant. It involves assessing all your business processes, agents, and interested parties in the QMS, and then find out what should be done to convert the QMS into an ISO-certified system.

Document Preparation

The fourth step is a crucial one in your certification, as it involves creating the formal evidence of your modified QMS. You need to write down every aspect of the QMS, the processes it involves, interactions between the processes, key performance indicators) it addresses, and how many employees operate the QMS. The documentation should be done consciously, considering how the QMS will add value to each process in your business. Therefore, guidance and training from the consultants are needed at this stage. 

Implementation of the QMS

Based on the gap assessment and the documented QMS, you need to step ahead and implement the system into the core of your business. You need to induce the people of the organization to start accepting the modified QMS and prepare a devoted team to supervise the implementation process. The QMS should underpin the ISO standard requirement and support your industry’s best practices and principles for quality management. You need to confirm the QMS to ensure that it is highly effective in improving the quality of products or services, as well as delivering positive experiences to the customers. 

 Internal Auditing

Along with the consultants, find some quality auditors to help your business with internal auditing before the final certification stage. You should find an ISO consultancy that can provide both consultants and auditors Auditing is important because that will help you understand the certification readiness of your QMS. The auditors will evaluate the structure, processes, and interactions of the QMS within business operations and ensure everything conforms to the stated requirements of  ISO 9001 certification. In short, they will help you know whether your QMS is compliant with the standard and if not, they will suggest the corrections required to make it compliant. 

Final Certification

When you have ensured your QMS follows the ISO 9001 requirements with an internal audit, then find an approved certification body. The consultants can help to select a trusted body). The body will conduct a stage audit called external certification to ensure your QMS is implemented as ISO requires. If you pass this audit, they will grant certification.

Concluding Thought

ISO certification is a complex process. However, with the right team or partner beside you, things get easier. The role of ISO consultants is praised and demanded because of these reasons. They can help you understand the ISO 9001 standard, guide you through how to document the QMS, train your employees to implement the QMS, and audit it for compliance. 

Also Read: 4 Key Difficulties Faced by Businesses When Achieving ISO 9001 Certification

Contact Details:

Business Name: Compliancehelp Consulting, LLC

Email Id: info@quality-assurance.com

Phone No: 877 238 5855