What’s ISO Certification And Why Are They Important?
International organizations today want to be known for following quality assurance and manufacturing standards. International Organization for Standardization (ISO), certification is a sign of trust and credibility with consumers, stakeholders, as well as other business partners. ISO certification is a guarantee that an entity meets all international standards for business, especially when it comes to trade.
What Is ISO?
ISO is an international non-governmental organization that establishes specifications for products and services. These standards are important for international trade because they require goods to meet certain requirements. These four conditions are necessary for the creation of standards in an organization:
- Market need
- Global experts gather
- Multi-stakeholder Development
- All parties reach a common understanding
Why ISO Certifications Are Important?
ISO certifications, which are obtained from third parties act as proof that a company follows the International Organization for Standardization’s standards. Clients and other stakeholders can be confident that the company follows high standards and conducts business efficiently. ISO certifications can also be used to prove that a company is committed to key business objectives, such as customer satisfaction and productivity. There are four main types of ISO certifications.
ISO 9000
The ISO 9000 is one of the most widely used certifications. This grouping of QMS is a set of standards that helps companies meet the needs both of customers and stakeholders. It is the simplest example of what ISO aims to achieve.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is used by companies to ensure that products meet standardized requirements. This includes services, software, materials, and hardware. This certification proves more the company that supplies the product than the entity.
ISO 13485
ISO 13485, a sector-specific certification, is for the automotive industry. It specifies the standards that automobile distributors and manufacturers must follow to ensure quality control and efficiency. These standards are very useful when shipping vehicles internationally.
ISO 14001
The ISO 14001 Environmental Management System is also known as an EMS. It deals with a company’s impact on the natural environment. The certification enables entities to control the impact of their activities on both fauna and flora. Consumer opinions about the environmental impact of corporations are driving this type of certification to be more common.
Other Types
As standardization becomes more important, so does the scope of the situations in which it should be applied. Third-party certifiers can now certify companies through the ISO. These certifications also include ISO ITAR certification, ISO ITAR certification, Lean Manufacturing certification, and OHSAS 18001.
How To Become ISO Certified?
Here are the steps to help an entity earn ISO 9001 certification.
- Develop A Quality Management System
First, you must develop a unique quality management system for your business to earn ISO certification. Identify the core business processes, analyze them and decide where you can make improvements.
- Use The New System For Quality Management
The next step is to implement the QMS and keep track of its progress. You must ensure that all procedures are carried out according to the updated documentation. If the new system has new processes, ensure that all employees are trained using new methods.
- External Audit
After some time has passed, and all issues are resolved, it is time to schedule an audit with certified bodies. An audit is performed by an expert auditor who examines the QMS at all levels.
- Register Your Quality Management Program
If the company passes inspection, it will register its QMS for Certification. They gather all the documentation and submit it to certifying parties for review. Once all documentation has been reviewed and approved, the company is awarded certification.