What is ISO 9001:2015?

Found yourself wondering what ISO 9001 is?

Can’t quite figure out whether it’s right for your organisation?

Whatever aspect of ISO 9001 you’re interested in, you’ve found the right place.

We’re going to look at the what, the why, and the history of the elusive ISO 9001.

What is ISO9001?

ISO 9001 is a global standard for quality management systems (QMS). To achieve "ISO 9001 Certification," a business must fulfill the requirements outlined in the ISO 9001 Standard. Companies use this certification to demonstrate to their customers that they provide dependable, top-notch products or services and are committed to ongoing improvement.

More to ISO9001 than it seems.

The ISO 9000 Family of Standards comprises many documents, but only ISO 9001 requires certification.

Typically, an entire company seeks certification, although a specific department can modify the standard's scope.

The current version to comply with is ISO 9001:2015. Here are some key points to consider as you learn more about this standard:

• It is not a membership organisation or entity that you can sign up for; instead, your organisation must take the following steps
• Incorporate the ISO 9001 quality management system into your organisation
• Allow a Certification Body, Registration or self-certification to audit your organisation against the ISO 9001 requirements.
• If you pass the audit, under a certifcation body you will receive registration for three years and must re-register after that

The ISO9001 Requirements

ISO 9001 has ten clauses that your organisation or department's Quality Management System (QMS) must follow to obtain certification.

These sections are highly detailed and can vary depending on the industry.

However, we will provide a basic overview of each clause to help you understand the criteria better:

• Scope: Defines the current 9001 standard's scope, including a list of all requirements.
• References: Lists the standards supported by the current 9001.
• Terms: Defines the terms used throughout the standard.
• Context: Relates to how your organization determines the objectives and scope of your QMS.
• Leadership: Refers to how leadership is responsible for communicating quality procedures.
• Planning: Addresses opportunities, quality objectives, changes, and risks.
• Support: Covers the resources required for the QMS and ensures all employees have access to relevant information.
• Operation: Relates to the plan and control procedures required to meet the right standards for services/products.
• Evaluation: Your company must use your QMS to effectively monitor and analyse the QMS itself and business processes to qualify for ISO 9001.
• Improvement: Addresses everything related to continuous improvement.

Now that you have a better understanding of ISO 9001 let's ;ook at the benefits. 

Benefit of ISO9001

ISO 9001 certification has proven beneficial not only for your company but also for your customers.

The benefits of ISO consultancy support are seemingly limitless, so it's wise to familiarise yourself with at least a few of them. Here are the benefits of ISO 9001:2015 for your company and customers:

Benefits for Your Company:

1. Increased Efficiency and Revenue: The standard allows you to focus on the quality of your processes and procedures, resulting in increased efficiency and revenue.
2. Better Record Keeping: ISO 9001 ensures that all your processes are recorded from start to finish, making it easier to handle complaints and streamline procedures.
3. Continuous Improvement: Trend analysis is a significant part of ISO 9001, enabling you to continuously improve your company and increase profits.
4. Boosted Employee Morale: Focusing on the quality of processes and procedures can improve employee morale.

Benefits for Your Customers:

1. Fewer Returns: With ISO 9001, you can spot and resolve problems quickly, preventing customers from returning products or requesting refunds.
2. Improved Customer Relationships: The standard sets out ways for your company to improve the quality of relationships with customers or shareholders, increasing the chances of having returning customers.

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