What Australian Companies Should Know About ISO 9001
January 5, 2017
4 min read
9ISO 9001, the international standard for quality management, is the most widely-followed standard in the world. All kinds of Australian businesses are driving growth through compliance with ISO 9001, and getting the edge over competitors in challenging markets.
Below we outline the key things Australian businesses should know about the ISO 9001 standard, including the basics of a quality management system, the benefits of compliance, and transitioning to the new version of the standard.
What are ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 9001:2015?
ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management, and is the most well-known and widely implemented standard in the world. In fact, over a million organisations from all kinds of industries, all around the world have become compliant with the ISO 9001 standard.
It sets out the criteria for a quality management system, which can be followed by all kinds of businesses in order to ensure their products and services reach and exceed expectations. Simply put, a quality management system (QMS) is a set of systems, procedures, policies and processes that businesses follow to meet customer requirements.
ISO 9001:2008, as the name implies, is a dated version of the quality management standard. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) released an updated version of the standard in 2015, in order to make it “more applicable and accessible to all types of enterprises.”
For more information on what certification to ISO 9001:2015 can bring to your business, watch the short video below:
Why Does My Business Need a Quality Management System?
Quality management systems are a strategic investment for a number of reasons. Not only do they drive productivity, consistency and performance, quality management systems set up businesses for continual improvement and future growth. With an effective QMS in place, businesses ensure their customers stay at the focus of all operations, even while leadership changes or in times of market volatility.
How do you know if your quality management system is effective? Well, that’s where ISO 9001 comes in. A QMS that is compliant with ISO 9001 is a powerful asset for all types of businesses, of all sizes, in all industries.
What are the Benefits of Becoming Certified to ISO 9001?
Becoming certified to the international standard for quality management has several key benefits:
- It demonstrates to your clients, customers and competitors that your business is internationally recognised for its dedication to quality. The certification badge alone can inspire client confidence and give you the upper hand in a competitive marketplace.
- A quality management system compliant with ISO 9001 can drive efficiency, improve productivity, reduce costs and safeguard your business against uncertainty. According to the ISO, standards have contributed to significant economic growth in Australia.
- Strategic businesses of all sizes are using their compliance certification to market their businesses online. When becoming certified, your business will be awarded a certification badge, which can be used to display online and on physical assets. This point of difference can be effective in winning new business and establishing trust with existing customers.
My Business is Certified to ISO 9001:2008, How Do I Change to ISO 9001:2015?
As mentioned above, the ISO released a new version of their quality management standard in 2015, ISO 9001:2015. Changes were made to the standard in order to make it more applicable to businesses of all types and sizes, even if they didn’t have staff who were tasked with quality management.
According to the ISO, other benefits of the revised standard include;
- Simplified language
- More user-friendly
- Greater emphasis on leadership engagement
- Greater focus on risk-based thinking
If you are certified to ISO 9001:2008, you must upgrade your quality management system to comply with the criteria set out in ISO 9001:2015, and become re-certified to the revised standard. After September 2018, a certificate to ISO 9001:2008 is no longer valid.
To discuss how your business can become certified to the revised ISO 9001 standard, get in touch with us today. We offer a 3-Step Transition Process that has been specifically designed to assist Australian businesses in upgrading their quality management system.
For more information on how certification to ISO 9001 can help grow your business, download the free information pack below:
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