Frequently Asked Questions
How can an ISO 9001 quality management system add value to our company?
ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized standard for quality management systems. ISO 9001 provides a proven approach to lowering costs, increasing customer satisfaction and continual improvement of an established quality management system. This is accomplished by identifying the processes that are essential to the establishment of the quality system, defining a quality policy and quality objectives that are endorsed and supported by the organization’s top management, documenting product or service quality objectives, standardizing work processes to minimize variance and preventing the reoccurrence of nonconformities. Please contact us for more specific details on how ISO 9001 can benefit your organization.
Why should we consider obtaining an ISO 9001 certification?
Certification to ISO 9001 is voluntary. However, third party certification by an IAF accredited registrar does provide customers with a level of confidence that your organization’s products or services do meet applicable industry as well as any established in-house supplier quality requirements. ISO 9001 certification also tells customers or potential customers that your organization is committed to customer satisfaction and the continual improvement of your quality management system.
How quickly can we obtain an ISO 9001 certification?
The amount time required to obtain ISO 9001 certification will vary based upon the present status of your organizations quality system. A gap analysis must be conducted to assess to what extent an organization is presently meeting ISO 9001 requirements and to identify those areas that will require improvement before the submittal of an application to a registrar for certification.
Does ISO actually issue certifications to companies that meet their requirements?
No. ISO does not issue, review, approve or require certification to any of their standards. Certification and compliance to ISO standards is voluntary. ISO certification is issued by registrars such as API, MCNA (Management Certifications of North America) or others that are accredited by an accreditation body such as ANAB (American National Accreditation Board). It should be noted that IAF (International Accreditation Form) regulates member accreditation bodies such as ANAB Worldwide to insure conformity and compliance with ISO 17021. Other IAF accreditation bodies include TGA-DAR and TURKAK. These organizations are located in Germany and Turkey respectively.
Is ISO 9001:2008 an upgrade to ISO 9001:2000?
No. ISO 9001:2008 provides clarification to the previous requirements of ISO 9001:2000, but it does not change or include any new requirements. ISO has stated that organizations that were previously certified to be compliant with ISO 9001:2000 should be considered as equal to other organizations recently issued ISO 9001:2008 certification.
