ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard for the quality management of businesses. It applies to the processes that create and control the products and services an organisation supplies. It prescribes systematic control of activities to ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are met. It is designed and intended to apply to virtually any product or service, made by any process anywhere in the world..

Implementing a Quality Management System will motivate staff by defining their key roles and responsibilities. Cost savings can be made through improved efficiency and productivity, as product or service deficiencies will be highlighted. From this, improvements can be developed, resulting in less waste, inappropriate or rejected work and fewer complaints. Customers will notice that orders are met consistently, on time and to the correct specification. This can open up the market place to increased opportunities.

Once all the requirements of ISO 9001 have been met, it is time for an external audit.
This should be carried out by a third party, accredited certification body. The chosen certification body will review the quality manuals and procedures. This process involves looking at the company’s evaluation of quality and ascertains if targets set for the management program are measurable and achievable. This is followed at a later date by a full on-site audit to ensure that working practices observe the procedures and stated objectives and that appropriate records are kept.

After a successful audit, a certificate of registration to ISO 9001 will be issued. There will then be surveillance visits (usually six months or once in a year) to ensure that the system continues to work. This is covered in more detail in QIC’s ‘Audit Procedure’ information sheet.

QIC has an enviable record for customer satisfaction for its certification services. A friendly approach and a dislike of bureaucracy has led to unprecedented growth through referrals from contented clients. QIC only employs auditors that have empathy with this approach. They are also carefully allocated by their experience in the industry they are auditing. This results in a practical, meaningful audit, carried out in an air of mutual understanding. QIC firmly believes that its audits should benefit the organisation that requests it, not be an intellectual exercise to ‘please’ the auditor.

Unlike a majority of its competitors, QIC produces a guidance price list based on company size. For a copy please get in touch.

For a fixed, written quotation however, we require a few more details. These can be submitted to QIC via a short questionnaire or alternatively contact QIC for more details. Quotations are provided without any obligation. An information pack about QIC's certification services can also be requested by call us.

About ISO 9001

The standards are also available at http://www.standardsindia.com

Implementing ISO 9001

A document named ISO 9004 (obtainable as above) provides practical guidance and examples of how to interpret the requirements of ISO 9001.

Many organisations choose to employ the services of a 'quality' consultant to help with the implementation of ISO 9001. QIC can provide a list of consultants known to them. Please get in touch.