ISO certification

An ISO certification is a globally accepted quality management system that assures the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. The goal of an ISO certification is to provide customers with confidence that products are safe for use or consumption and reliable. That includes companies looking to do business with one another by delivering internationally accepted standards for everything from product design and development to production and distribution.

Types of ISO certification 

ISO provides many certifications that are helpful to businesses, here are some of them:

• OHSAS 18001- The Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHASAS) 18001 is a standard that assesses the effectiveness of occupational health and safety management systems. It also guides how to implement an effective strategy for your organization.
• ISO 20121 – ISO 20121 is an international standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system where the customer’s interests are paramount. It guides on implementing and maintaining a quality management system with high standards of performance and effectiveness within your organization.
• ISO8000- This internationally recognized standard was created to ensure that all manufacturing facilities meet the highest quality, safety, and social responsibility standards.
• ISO26000- ISO26000 is a management system that incorporates the principles of sustainable development. It recognizes the importance of balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations to ensure long-term success for all stakeholders.
• ISO 9001 - which helps to ensure higher quality products and services while also reducing costs in manufacturing processes.
• ISO 17043 :2012- Guidance on quality assurance in laboratory accreditation bodies performing assessments against the general requirements

How ISO certification will help your business?

According to a 2009 United Nations survey, 98% of companies rated investing in ISO certification as a good investment. ISO benefits companies in various areas like operations, employee engagement, customer satisfaction. Here are some of the benefits that help an organization

• Enhanced productivity- Following the standards involves you defining and monitor the business processes. It also helps you setting your objectives and measuring your progress.
• Customer satisfaction- The certification builds trust with the customers by improving complaint management, quality control monitoring systems, and client satisfaction. Reducing customer complaints is one of the best ways of retaining customers, which is achieved through this certification.
• Revenue growth- ISO certification enhances the brand value, which attracts investors and new customers, increasing the company’s profitability. It is an advantage for small business to expand their operations and adopt globally accepted practices into their operations.
• New markets- These standards give access to new markets. Since ISO certifications are globally recognized, it will be easier for a company to win bids or acquire new customers.
• Team commitment- Adhering to ISO standards will build a more engaged and productive workforce. ISO certified businesses report better job satisfaction, a collaboration between employees and management.

Methods to Ace ISO Audit :

An ISO audit is a rigorous assessment of your company’s quality management system, focusing on how well it conforms to the requirements in the international standard. Auditors evaluate an organization’s ability to manage its processes and products through a series of tests and checks that cover all business areas. Here are some steps to follow to ace the audit test parameters and obtain the certification.

• Prepare thoroughly- The ISO certification is a process that needs to be regularly optimized and updated. Create a schedule for internal audits, reviews and stick to the process. Take the time a few weeks or a month in advance to conduct internal checks and correct any shortcomings.
• Mock audit- Conduct a rigorous mock audit with the help of internal auditors and take the results seriously to make changes. By doing this, you can identify any weaknesses or issues with your current audit process before any repeated mistake happens.
• Take corrective actions- Take disciplinary actions immediately when any nonconformity issue is spotted. Minor matters, when piled up, will create significant problems in getting your certification which will increase your expenses incurred to get it fixed.
• Train your employees- Spend time and effort to train your people on the regulatory standards so they can comply with them. Record and document the training records for each employee and provide additional training if anyone requires it.
• Empower your auditors- Give authority to your auditors not only to make suggestions but also to make changes when there are any loopholes in the processes. Keep the management updated on process improvements, issues, and remedial actions taken to resolve them. Train your internal auditors by hiring third-party auditors to strengthen their skillset.
• Document – Document any changes in the organization’s management system that occurred since the last audit or assessment was completed; this includes newly added processes, new equipment, etc.

Steps to getting ISO certified :

It takes time, effort, and money to get your business ISO certified, whereas the effort is worth it in the end. Here are some of the steps you can take to taking your business being ISO certified.

• Choose the correct standard- Choosing the proper measures can be challenging. There are many to choose from, but they all have their pros and cons. ISO has many certifications, so you need to understand the certificate that will help your business. Discuss your needs with an account management team third-party source so they can suggest you the best certification based on your requirement.
• Gap analysis- A key component of implementing an ISO certification is thoroughly analyzing gaps in your company’s practices and procedures. This process will help the organization identify areas where they need to make improvements. The gap analysis also helps organizations by providing a clear list of priorities for improvement work, making it easier to plan out their efforts.
• Cost- The costs for developing and registering a system may depend upon your organization’s budget, size, and structure. There are costs incurred from training the employees to preparing necessary documents regarding the certification. You can reduce the cost and effort by taking help from an external consultant since it reduces the risk of implementing wrong measures saving time and money.
• Registration- Select an accredited certification body for registration. It should have a robust selection criterion since many institutions try to market themselves by showing a high pass percentage. The body should have experienced a group of auditors to provide valuable insights.