[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”bottom” enable_bottom_divider=”enabled” bottom_divider=”hills-layered” shape_bottom_height=”250″ shape_bottom_index=”100″ css=”.vc_custom_1549333603542{padding-top: 18% !important;padding-bottom: 12% !important;background-image: url(https://mlnmlgs8yvii.i.optimole.com/w:auto/h:auto/q:mauto/ig:avif/f:best/https://isopro.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/great-introductions_resources-2880p.jpg?id=1827) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1548447783590{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Our goal is to help as many small, American manufacturers as possible.” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”slideInUp”][vc_column_text] In order for that to be successful, it is first important to understand whether ISO 9001 is right for your business. The second important factor is helping you determine how much effort is required to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) in order to be compliant with the standard.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1551305291551{background-color: #f8f8f8 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1551305299292{padding-top: 6% !important;padding-right: 6% !important;padding-bottom: 6% !important;padding-left: 6% !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”The Basics” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]ISO 9001 is (at least intended to be) a certificate of trust.
In days of doing business with your neighbor – whom you knew very well and had a relationship to ensure the quality would be as desired – ISO 9001 was not necessary. As the industry has expanded and businesses have grown (or are looking to grow), there is a question with which companies to do business.
ISO 9001 offers five (5) critical elements to ensure customer trust:
- QMS must address key business elements to ensure robust business
- Product (and services) offered must meet established requirements
- Supplier must focus on customer satisfaction
- Supplier must focus on continual improvement
- QMS will be independently verified to ensure compliance
These are “common” business values that many companies already embody, but without a method of independent certification when looking beyond your own industry and/or geography, understanding which companies are looking out for your best interests is difficult, to say the least.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”QMS Options” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]ISO 9001 is not the only QMS option for a business. However, ISO 9001 forms the foundation for almost any QMS you may decide to pursue. While there are common core elements, there are some definite differences between the standards – typically driven by the industry in which your business is operating. Below is a short list of common QMS options:
- ISO 9001 – General Industry
- AS9100 – Aerospace
- ISO 134585 – Medical
- IATF 16949 – Automotive
- AC7004 – Special Processes (NADCAP)
Generally, the determination of which standard to implement (as well as the requirement to implement any standard) comes from your customer base. For many organizations, implementing ISO 9001 is a typically first step towards establishing necessary QMS elements and starting to educate the organization on new requirements. Throughout our consultant network, we have expertise in any of the standards you may require. If you are not sure about which standard is right for you, please set up a time to discuss and we will help identify the optimal QMS for your purpose.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1551304744627{background-image: url(https://mlnmlgs8yvii.i.optimole.com/w:auto/h:auto/q:mauto/ig:avif/f:best/https://isopro.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/milling-and-brass-cylinders-1440p.jpg?id=1894) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”280px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1551305841764{padding-top: 6% !important;padding-right: 6% !important;padding-bottom: 6% !important;padding-left: 6% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”ISO 9001 Overview & General Process” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1551305885197{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The path to ISO 9001 usually starts with your customer demanding it. As mentioned above, there are many benefits of the standard (both to you and your customer). It is critical to understand that ISO 9001 only identifies what you need to address, and in no way establishes how it is achieved. This opens a world of opportunity for implementing value-added solution for your organization (even if you’re doing it only to meet a customer requirement).
There are a lot of details that are summarized in the following document:[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”ISO 9001 Overview” shape=”round” color=”green” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-file-text-o” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fisopro.us%2Fresources%2Fresources-downloads%2F|title:Resources%20Downloads||”][vc_column_text]This includes an overview of ISO 9001 elements as well as the process to certification. Wondering about how long it will take? Best case – ISO 9001 compliance (meeting the requirements without the certification) can be achieved within 30 days. In our ISO NOW! online solutions package, we actually offer a 30-day ISO Implementation Boot Camp to guide you through the process. NOTE: This will require a commitment from your top management to make it possible. In most cases, ISO 9001 implementation occurs over a 3 – 6 month process (ideally 12 months – if a customer is not driving the demand).[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”How to Meet ISO 9001 Requirements” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1551305902714{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Again, from above – It is critical to understand that ISO 9001 only identifies what you need to address, and in no way establishes how it is achieved. We realize this is repetitive, but it is a critical element that will benefit your business. The real answer to how to become compliant to ISO 9001 is innumerable. For our purposes, we have assembled a list of best practices (or at least simple and effective solutions to meet requirements).[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”ISO 9001 Compliance Checklist” shape=”round” color=”green” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-file-text-o” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fisopro.us%2Fresources%2Fresources-downloads%2F|title:Resources%20Downloads||”][vc_column_text]These tools are designed to be implemented with minimal resources and expectation that each tool will be customized by every organization to meet their specific needs. If you are interested, the actual tools – along with priority (and reduce cost) access to our consultants, auditors, and templates – are available in ISO NOW!
We wish you the best in your quest of ISO 9001 certification. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions on your journey. Have questions now? Please Contact Us and we will help you as quickly as possible![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]