ISO 9001 Quality Management System Guide
Download the Smithers ISO 9001 Quality Management Guide to improve your knowledge base around the ISO 9001 standard, its structure, terminology, and its most important clauses.
Who Needs ISO 9001 Certification?
Businesses that pursue ISO 9001 certification understand the many benefits derived from adhering to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. ISO 9001 certified organizations have the advantage of a highly developed quality management system that meets customer and regulatory requirements.
But what is ISO 9001:2015 certification? And who needs ISO 9001 certification? This article will answer these questions and examine the benefits of ISO compliance for various industries.
The Basics of ISO 9001 Certification
ISO 9001:2015 is the international standard for quality management systems. It's administered by the International Organization for Standards (or ISO, for short). While there are various ISO certification types, ISO 9001 is the most frequently used ISO standard around the globe. More than 900,000 valid ISO 9001 certificates cover nearly 1.3 million sites worldwide.
ISO 9001 certification applies to an entire organization and all its business processes. The standard touches on every sector of a company and is appropriate for all operational environments. It focuses on:
- Management responsibility
- Resource management
- Products and services
- Measurement and improvement
Careful documentation and continual improvement are the cornerstones of an ISO 9001 QMS. After completing an internal audit, a company seeking ISO certification must undergo an external ISO 9001 audit that will confirm the organization adheres to all appropriate quality management principles.
As a result of attaining ISO 9001 certification, a company can:
- Improve process efficiencies
- Reduce waste
- Enhance output quality
- Increase customer satisfaction
7 Industries That Benefit from Having ISO 9001-Certified Organizations
The answer to the question, "Who needs ISO 9001 certification?" is simple: any organization in any sector can benefit from being an ISO-certified company. But some groups get more from ISO compliance than others. Being an ISO 9001-certified company is particularly helpful in these sectors:
1. Construction Management
ISO 9001 certification in the construction management industry makes a lot of sense because the sector faces a wide range of customer, statutory and regulatory requirements that ISO compliance can help achieve. ISO certification allows these companies to significantly lower waste costs, recognize greater efficiencies and create safer workplaces.
2. IT Services
The IT services sector is constantly growing and changing with complex internal systems that can often benefit from streamlining. Companies pursue ISO 9001 certification in IT services so that they can create the standard operating procedures, comprehensive documentation and disaster recovery plans their businesses need to survive.
3. Hospitality Industry
Hospitality companies operate under intense public scrutiny, with many operations visible to customers who can easily take their business elsewhere. ISO 9001-certified organizations in the hospitality industry have a way to improve performance and tangibly demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction.
4. Healthcare Industry
Quality is of the utmost importance to the healthcare industry since it directly affects patient outcomes. ISO 9001 certification in the healthcare industry not only promotes quality improvements, but also helps healthcare organizations navigate increasingly rigorous regulatory requirements. ISO compliance gives healthcare groups the tools to document and standardize procedures, resulting in better treatment and more accurate risk assessments for patients and staff.
5. Community Services
Community service organizations operate across a variety of sectors for the public good. Groups seek ISO 9001 certification in community services to achieve a systematic management approach that helps them better provide for their target audiences. ISO certification also can help groups increase their budgets since funding authorities understand and appreciate the significance of compliance.
6. Engineering Firms
Accuracy, efficiency and consistency are all requirements for engineering work. ISO 9001 certification for engineering firms can help companies improve these characteristics and demonstrate the quality assurance that their customers demand.
7. Manufacturing
Manufacturers must pull together a diverse group of operations to deliver quality products and services. The cost of a mistake can be extremely high. ISO 9001 certification can help manufacturing companies manage these risks, improve worker safety and reduce waste. ISO compliance is also a great marketing tool, signaling a commitment to quality that prospective customers want to see.
These are just a few of the ISO industries that can benefit from compliance with this all-encompassing quality standard.
Trust Your ISO 9001 Certification to Smithers
Now that we've answered the question, "Who needs ISO 9001 certification?" you're ready for the next step. Smithers offers internal and external audits and an ISO certification process designed to carefully assess your QMS. Our "No Surprises" approach ensures honest and consistent communications from the start. We'll get to know your business and use that knowledge to facilitate your preparation for ISO compliance. Contact us now for the ISO 9001 services you need.
