When you're new to the world of quality management and ISO certification, it's easy to feel a little confused by some of of the associated jargon. For instance, you probably know that ISO 9001 is the globally-recognised standard for quality management systems, but perhaps you've heard people using more complicated-sounding terms like 'ISO 9001:2008' and now you're feeling a bit lost again.
If so, we hope this simple guide makes things a little bit clearer.
ISO 9001 is updated periodically.
The standards collectively known as ISO 9001 are constantly evolving, and as a result, ISO 9001 is overhauled every so often in order to reflect the latest advancements and the current state of the market. Once a new version of ISO 9001 is brought into effect, organisations who were certified under the previous version usually have a few years to transition to the new one.
ISO 9001:2008 is an outdated version of ISO 9001.
ISO 9001:2008 (itself the successor to ISO 9001:2000) was rendered obsolete in September 2015 by the newly-introduced ISO 9001:2015 standard.
- If you already hold ISO 9001:2008 certification, you have until the end of September 2018 to migrate to ISO 9001:2015.
- If you do not hold any ISO 9001 certification, there's no need to worry about ISO 9001:2008 - you should focus on getting certified according to the requirements laid out by ISO 9001:2015.
Looking to get ISO certified as soon as possible? Click here to find out how ISO Accelerator can help!
Read more on this topic: ISO 9001:2008 vs. ISO 9001:2015
As we announced last month, ISO Accelerator now provides a fast-track ISO 14001 certification service for organisations in the UK.
But what is ISO 14001 certification, and how does it benefit the businesses who achieve it?
What it means to be ISO 14001 certified
ISO 14001 is the internationally-recognised standard for environmental management systems. When implementing an environmental management system (EMS) within an organisation, it is usually desirable to apply for ISO 14001 certification, since this accreditation serves as evidence that you follow the correct processes and procedures in order to minimise your company's impact on the environment.
The benefits of ISO 14001 certification
As an ISO 14001 certified organisation, your company will enjoy the following benefits:
- Increased Consumer Trust - Customers and clients will be more inclined to choose you over similar suppliers, since your 'ISO 14001 certified' status marks you out as an environmentally-conscious choice.
- New Business - In addition to the above, some contracts in certain sectors are only available to suppliers with ISO 14001 status, so your environmental management system may well open some new doors that were closed to your company in the past.
- Reduced Waste - By implementing an EMS that conforms to ISO 14001 requirements, you will reduce wastage within your organisation, thus lowering costs as well as reducing your environmental impact.
If you would like to find out more about ISO 14001 certification (and how we at ISO Accelerator can help you to achieve it in the shortest possible timeframe), please contact us today.
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Are you thinking of hiring an ISO-certified company? Before you do, it may be worth checking to ensure that they really do hold ISO 9001 accreditation.
In order to verify your potential supplier's ISO certificate, you will first need to request a copy of the certificate itself. Most companies will have no qualms about providing this - after all, if they've genuinely put in the effort to get certified, what do they have to hide?
There are a number of things that will give you a clue as to the validity (or otherwise) of the certificate. These include the name and stamp of an accreditation body, date on the certificate, and specific details on which processes and premises are certified. In particular, be wary of any certificate that is out of date or was not actually issued by the certification company named on the certificate (indeed, you may wish to contact the certification company yourself to check whether the certificate in question is a fake).
However, if the certificate was issued by ISO Accelerator, you don't have to worry about any of the above.
Check ISO 9001 certificate validity now >
Here's how to check the validity of an ISO 9001 certificate using our handy ISO Certificate Checker:
- Obtain a copy of the certificate in question.
- Go to iso-accelerator.co.uk/learn-more/iso-certification-checker and enter the certificate number.
- Click Check Certificate to find out whether or not the certificate is valid.
It really is as simple as that! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us for assistance.
Looking to achieve ISO certification for your own organisation? ISO Accelerator can help you to get certified fast - click here to find out how it works.
ISO 9001 certification doesn't have to be complicated.
If you're new to the world of quality management and ISO certification, it can all seem dizzyingly complex - but don't worry. There is an easy way to get certified with minimal effort and expenditure.
Photo from Pixabay
Here at ISO Accelerator, we aim to make ISO 9001 certification as fast and as easy as possible for small to medium-sized businesses.
We make ISO 9001 certification easy!
Choosing ISO Accelerator as your certification body means:
- No time-consuming consultation sessions
- Competitive pricing, so you can save money on ISO 9001 certification
- Discounts on additional certifications like ISO 27001 and ISO 14001
The simple way to get certified
In order to get certified via ISO Accelerator, follow these steps:
- Fill out our online application form.
- Work with us remotely to develop a suitable quality management system (QMS).
- Complete a Self-Declaration of Conformance to verify that you have implemented your QMS.
- Send the Self-Declaration back to us and we will issue your ISO 9001 certificate once we have received it.
If you have any questions about the ISO 9001 process and how our fast-track system makes certification quick and easy, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Contact ISO Accelerator
READ MORE: How does remote ISO certification work?
Achieving ISO 9001 certification can be a challenging undertaking, and given the costs and other requirements associated with getting certified, some business owners do find themselves asking: is ISO certification really worth it?
Obviously, the answer to that question ultimately depends on the exact nature of your organisation (what you do, how many people you employ, what sort of customers you serve, and so on). However, in the vast majority of circumstances, ISO 9001 certification is very worthwhile.
Here are some of the benefits that certified companies enjoy:
- Increased customer confidence. Achieving ISO 9001 accreditation demonstrates your commitment to quality and to outstanding customer service. Potential clients will take this into account, and in the end, it may well be the thing that drives them to choose you over one of your competitors.
- New opportunities. ISO 9001 is a requirement for many organisations, and you will need to hold ISO certification if you wish to win work from any of these businesses. Getting certified will open new doors for your company and allow you to take on contracts that would otherwise have gone to somebody else.
- Better, more efficient processes. In order to achieve ISO 9001 certification, you will need to plan and implement an effective QMS (Quality Management System) within your organisation. No matter how large or small your company is, a good QMS will reduce wastage and improve every part of your operation, enabling you to work better as a business and deliver a higher-quality service.
If you're thinking of applying for ISO 9001 certification, remember that ISO Accelerator is the quickest, easiest, most cost-effective way to do it. Our fast-track ISO certification service eliminates many of the costs and delays that come with getting accredited - click here to learn more.
Apply for ISO Certification >
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