Having your product or company certified by the ISO signals to consumers that it is safe, efficient, and reliable.An audit from an accredited external certifying body is a must after you have put together a comprehensive Quality Management System analysis.The company's policies and procedures will be determined by the registrar.If you pass the audit, you will receive a certificate from ISO stating that you have satisfied the conditions for certification.
Step 1: The project supervisor should be appointed.
A Quality Management System can be created by someone within your company.This is a collection of documents about your company's operations.Only the most experienced employees should be considered for the job since a thorough understanding of the business's policies and internal structure is required to put together such a complex analysis.A manager, department head, or director of operations will be the most qualified employees to create a focused Quality Management System.If you are a controlling officer for your company, you may be more comfortable taking on the responsibility of your own.
Step 2: Your company has unique practices.
Every characteristic of your business or product will be outlined in writing during this phase.Your Quality Management System analysis might include details like your company's mission statement, information on specific policies and procedures, and a list of state and federal standards you operate in accordance with.Think of your Quality Management System as an overview of what your company hopes to achieve with a particular product, service, or business model.The purpose of your analysis is to describe the design and materials of the product, your company's system of production, and the internal quality assessment process.It's important to take your time to make sure your documentation is up to date.
Step 3: An internal audit can be performed.
The Quality Management System analysis should be compared against the company's day-to-day operations by assigning a qualified employee.They should be looking to see that your procedures are in line with company standards.If you want to get ISO certification, you need to make sure that every aspect of production is being performed the way it is described.Instruct your internal auditor to keep an eye out for inconsistencies in the way things are being done.The auditor should be named other than the project supervisor.Ensuring impartiality and decreasing the chances of potential gaps going unnoticed will be helped by this.
Step 4: Make improvements to your practices.
If you find a feature that isn't up to snuff, your top priority will be to correct it before you submit a formal audit.Use your auditor's notes as a guide to identify areas where your operations don't accomplish the goals established by your quality system.There are ways to resolve issues in the weeks and months.New policies, safer or more efficient procedures, or retraining employees may be required to meet your targeted performance standards.
Step 5: Find a qualified person to review your operations.
An external audit can be done with the help of a licensed registrar.You can find organizations in your region that represent the specific sector of your business.Quality standards for medical devices, natural gas production, and environmental management may be guaranteed by some registrars, who only deal with software engineering.ISO provides accreditation to independent certifying bodies, but it doesn't actually issue certifications.There is a directory of accredited certifying bodies for businesses applying for an external audit.It can take a long time to find the right domain name for your business.It is advisable to begin your search while you are still working on your Quality Management System documentation.
Step 6: The necessary credentials are held by a registrar.
It is a good idea to get your certification from an organization that has met certain requirements.The Committee on Conformity Assessment is a standard used by certification bodies.It is a sign that the body you are dealing with has been thoroughly researched and approved.It's not a necessity that accreditation is a major plus.Even if they aren't on a list of accredited certifiers, a registrar is still highly qualified.
Step 7: An ISO application contract needs to be drafted.
Once you have secured the services of a registrar, you should sit down with them to discuss the provisions of the audit process.They will tell you about the organization's liability confidentiality policies.To confirm your audit date, sign the contract if you are satisfied with the terms of the agreement.Due to the need for strict international standards, it may not be possible to negotiate the terms of your application contract.
Step 8: Pre-assessment requires submission of Quality Management System documentation.
Pre-assessment is not part of the certification process.A preliminary review will allow the certification body to see if there are any obvious errors in your documentation.You can improve your chances of successfully meeting ISO certification standards by clearing up these issues before the audit.If you choose to go through with a pre-assessment, you will need to give your certification body a complete, up-to-date copy of your Quality Management System paperwork.The pre-assessment period can add weeks to the certification process.
Step 9: The external audit should be passed.
On the opening day of your inspection, your registrar will sit down with key company personnel to introduce themselves and discuss the proceedings.They will inspect your company's operations and make sure they follow the standards outlined in your Quality Management System.You should be prepared to help any way you can.Details of policies and procedures that are central to your operations may be explained by you or your employees.The audit is an ongoing process that can take days to weeks.The length will be determined by the complexity of your Quality Management System and the size and organizational structure of the company.
Step 10: Take a look at your full audit report.
A detailed audit report will be sent by mail.The report will summarize the findings throughout the audit and bring to your attention any areas where your company's practices don't match the standards listed in your Quality Management System.When you go over the findings of your audit report, make sure your project supervisor, internal auditor, and other key employees are present.
Step 11: There are minor nonconformities and you should submit a plan of corrective action.
The measures needed to correct the issue are outlined in this document.To demonstrate to the certifying body that you understand how an oversight fails to live up to ISO standards is the primary purpose.Most Minor Nonconformities will not hold up your certification if you clear them up.Minor Nonconformities are instances where policy and practice do not line up, but don't affect the quality of your product or service.
Step 12: If you want to deal with Major Nonconformities, tighten up your operations.
There are glaring discrepancies in the way your business model is conceived.Coming back from a Major Nonconformity usually involves a series of follow-up inspections, along with the costs associated with fixing the problem from within.The company or product won't be approved for certification until the Major Nonconformity citations have been reexamined.If you are found to be in violation of the law, you will be subject to fines or similar penalties.If there are more than one Major Nonconformity highlighted in your audit report, you may need to rethink the content of your Quality Management System.
Step 13: Wait for your ISO certification.
The certifying body will recommend that your company be awarded certification if the registrar is happy with their findings.Your official certificate will be sent to you.The document will show your level of certification and the exact set of standards you were found to be in compliance with, along with an official stamp from the certifying body.After you get word of approval from the certifying body, it may take 1-2 weeks for your certificate to arrive.Your business will be added to a register of companies with ISO certification, which can be viewed by consumers as well as other businesses.