ISO9001 Quality Management Standards
ISO9001 (BS EN ISO 9001:2008) is the international standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS).
ISO 9001:2008 (usually referred to as ISO 9001) is the best practice specification that helps businesses and organisations throughout the world to develop a best-in-class Quality Management System (QMS).
On this page learn about how ISO9001 can improve your business and how to go about implementing ISO9001.
On this page:
ISO 9001:2008 (usually referred to as ISO 9001) is the best practice specification that helps businesses and organizations throughout the world to develop a best-in-class Quality Management System (QMS).
ISO9001 is the first in a family of international standards that:
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underpin and improve management systems
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harmonises with ISO 14001 and ISO 27001 so that management systems can be effectively integrated,
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implements the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model and
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provides a framework for continual improvement leading to improved customer satisfaction and staff motivation.
Organisations have seen the following benefits from implementing management systems in compliance with ISO 9001:
Saves you money
The financial benefits that have accrued to companies implementing ISO9001 systems have been immense and include cost savings from operational efficiencies, higher sales, improved return on assets and greater profitability. The perception of a QMS simply adding to the bureaucracy is outdated and certainly not something we sign-up to here at IT Governance!
Offers competitive advantage
ISO 9001 is top- management led and ensures that a strategic approach is taken to the management system. Business objectives are constantly reviewed in the ISO9001 system and feed into your processes and working practices to ensure you maximise your assets. Having ISO 9001 can also offer access to new markets.
Enhances brand reputation and removes barriers to trade
Gaining certification to ISO 9001 sends a clear message to everyone you wish that your company is committed not only to high standards but also to continually improve its performance. Certification will improve your reputation and can be a useful marketing tool.
Increases customer satisfaction
The customer needs and satisfaction are at the heart of ISO9001 and the improvement ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ structure of ISO 9001 ensures that those needs are met.
Streamlines operations and reduces waste
By focusing on improving operating processes, ISO9001 management systems encourage enhancement of products and services, with less rework, fewer mistakes, a consequent reduction of waste and fewer customer complaints.
Improves business performance and manages business risk
ISO 9001 helps you and your management team to raise the level of your organisations performance above and beyond that of your competitors who are not employing management systems. It also makes measuring performance easier and manage your business risks in a controlled way.
Encourages internal communication and raises morale ISO 9001 brings improved communications and, with employees feeling more involved, the added benefits of better team-working.
In a recent survey undertaken by the British Assessment Bureau (BAB), it was found that “44% of respondents said that they had won business as a result of becoming certified to the ISO 9001 quality management standard”. The survey also found that 57% of people said that a client had motivated them to implement the standard, meaning that the prospect for gaining more work was the primary reason for attaining the standard.
ISO 9001:2008 (usually referred to as ISO 9001) is the best practice specification that helps businesses and organisations throughout the world develop a best-in-class Quality Management System (QMS). It is by far the world’s most established quality framework, currently being used by around 1,060,000 organisations in 170 countries worldwide.