We at ISO Accelerator frequently help very large organisations to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification, but getting certified can be hugely beneficial for small enterprises, too. The ISO 9001 standard is designed to be applicable at any level, so whether your business is a multinational mega-corporation or a one-person consultancy based in your own home, you can achieve ISO certification and enjoy the benefits of this globally-recognised accreditation.
Becoming an ISO 9001-certified business can mean:
- Gaining new contracts for which you otherwise wouldn't have been considered
- Retaining existing clients who now require ISO certification
- A clearer path to business growth
- Improved efficiency and reduced waste
The drawbacks of ISO 9001 certification for small businesses
Many micro/small businesses do not seek ISO certification because of the costs involved and/or because they don't have the time to spare. This is perfectly understandable - time and money are precious, and small enterprises can rarely afford to waste either.
But getting certified may not have to be as costly and time-consuming as you imagine. Here at ISO Accelerator, we specialise in helping UK-based businesses to achieve ISO 9001:2015 certification in the shortest possible timeframe, minimising costs and making the whole process virtually hassle-free.
We also provide:
- Expert advice and support
- Straightforward pricing
- Everything else you need to get certified
We can typically get you certified in approximately 7 days.
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Wondering whether to pursue ISO 9001 certification for your business? Getting certified takes time and effort, and many business owners are understandably reluctant to commit to this endeavour because, well, what tangible difference does ISO certification actually make?
In fact, implementing a quality management system and obtaining ISO 9001 certification can benefit your organisation in a number of different ways. Read on to find out more.
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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
The ISO 9001 standard for quality management systems is revised every few years to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and continues to reflect the requirements of the modern marketplace. The current version of the standard, which rolled out in September 2015, is known as ISO 9001:2015.
If your organisation achieved ISO 9001 certification prior to September 2015, you were probably certified under the previous version of the standard, known as ISO 9001:2008. This version is no longer in use, and the deadline to switch over (the end of September 2018) has now passed - so you might be overdue for recertification.
Differences between ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001:2015
ISO 9001:2015 has ten clauses, whereas ISO 9001:2008 had just eight clauses. The most recent version of ISO 9001 aims to put greater emphasis to the importance of continuous improvement.
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ISO 9001: 2008
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ISO 9001: 2015
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Introduction
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Introduction
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Scope
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Scope
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Normative Reference
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Normative Reference
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Terms and Definitions
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Terms and Definitions
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Quality Management System
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The Context of the Organisation
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Management Responsibility
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Leadership
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Resource Management
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Planning
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Product Realisation
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Support
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Measurement, Analysis, Improvement
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Operation
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Performance Evaluation
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Improvement
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Under ISO 9001:2008, customers were treated as the only party of interest. However, the ISO 9001:2015 standard takes others into consideration, e.g. shareholders and suppliers.
Want to get certified to the latest ISO 9001 standard? ISO Accelerator makes the certification process quick and easy - click here to get started!
How to Get Certified with ISO Accelerator >
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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