ISO 9001 Checklist
Download the Smithers ISO 9001 Certification Checklist to find out if your organization's quality management system is ready for an audit.
How to Obtain ISO 9001 Certification: A Step-by-Step Guide
In the manufacturing industry, having ISO 9001 certification is a must for companies that want to compete in the global market. The certification shows that a company has implemented a quality management system that meets international standards. This way, customers can trust the products and services offered by the company. In this article, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of how to obtain ISO 9001 certification. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what it takes, how to obtain ISO 9001 certification, and the benefits it brings with it.
1. Understand the Requirements: The first step in learning how to obtain ISO 9001 certification is to understand the requirements. The standard outlines the requirements for quality management systems, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with them. This can be done by reading the ISO 9001 guidelines document, attending training courses, or hiring a consultant. Once you have a clear understanding of the requirements, you can start working towards implementing them in your organization.
2. Define Your Quality Management System: The next step in understanding how to obtain ISO 9001 certification is to define your Quality Management System (QMS). This is a set of procedures, policies, and documents that define how your company will implement the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard. The QMS should include a quality manual, control of documents, control of records, and internal audits. The quality manual should summarize the quality policy and objectives, describe the QMS, and outline the processes for controlling documents and records.
3. Implement the QMS: Once you’ve documented your QMS, it’s time to implement it. This involves making changes to the way you work to meet the requirements of the standard. The changes may include training employees on quality management, identifying processes that need improvement, and setting quality objectives. To ensure that the implementation is effective, you should conduct internal audits to identify areas that need improvement.
4. Obtain Certification: Once you’re confident that your QMS is effective, it’s time to finish answering how to obtain ISO 9001 certification. This involves hiring an accredited certification body to assess your QMS and confirm that it meets the requirements of the standard. During the assessment, the certification body will review your QMS documentation, audit your processes, and assess the effectiveness of the system. If your QMS meets the requirements, you’ll be awarded ISO 9001 certification.
5. Continual Improvement: Obtaining ISO 9001 certification is not the end goal but the beginning of a continuous improvement journey. The standard requires companies to continually improve their QMS to ensure that it remains effective. This involves monitoring the performance of the QMS, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing changes to the QMS. Continual improvement will help your company remain competitive in the marketplace.
ISO 9001 certification can be a lengthy and complicated process, but it’s worth the effort. Achieving certification shows that your company is committed to meeting international standards for quality management and continually improving your processes. The steps outlined in this post will help you feel confident in answering the question of how to obtain ISO 9001 certification and ensure that your company remains competitive in the global marketplace.
To learn more about how to obtain ISO 9001 certification, contact us at any time. If you’re ready to start your ISO 9001 certification journey, you can request a quote, today!
