Answers to questions on ISO 9001 certification
What is ISO 9001?
Answer: The system of ISO 9001 was created by the International Organization for Standardization (International Organization for Standardization). Each system standard ISO 9001 provides the regulatory requirements for process control various aspects of business, thus expanding its capabilities.
The system of ISO 9001 applies to more than 90 countries - regions of the world economy. In these countries, standards are used as national standards for the activities of enterprises of different types and species, regardless of their size, sector, the average number of employees and production volume.
The content of ISO 9001 and summarizes the impact of international experience in achieving a high quality product. The Russian Federation has adopted and applied as international standards (ISO 9001, version 2008) and their Russian counterparts (ISO 9001-2008, approved in 2009). Working with foreign partners, domestic enterprises have the right to confirm compliance with the Quality Management System is used both international and Russian standards. However, overseas certificate ISO 9001-2008 is not officially recognized.
What is a certified ISO 9000-2008?
Answer: The certificate obtained after passing the certification process to confirm compliance with quality management system to all international regulatory requirements (standards) in the industry. Functioning of the enterprise in accordance with the standards ensures stable operation and efficient management of the enterprise. At the present time in a market economy a certificate ISO 9000-2008 is a prerequisite for the admission of the company to participate in competitions or tenders for government contracts. Also, in some industries, certification of quality management system is a requirement for obtaining membership in various organizations (such as in construction).
How to get ISO certification 9001-2008 (ISO 9001-2008)?
Answer: In the Russian Federation in the system of ISO 9001-2008 (ISO 9001-2008) the issuance of certificates is the responsibility of entities accredited by the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology. One such company is accredited bodies SERCONS. Also, to obtain a certificate of ISO 9001-2008 (ISO 9001-2008) can use the services of intermediary companies. However, the cost of service and turnaround time they are much higher.
Certificate 9001-2008 (ISO 9001-2008), confirming that the quality management system in the enterprise requirements of normative documents can be obtained in foreign centers of certification or their representatives in Russia.
To obtain a certificate company must go through several stages, some of which are mandatory and some are voluntary.
Voluntary phase is already running diagnostics on the enterprise quality management system. According to the results of this phase is composed a work plan for its adjustment and, if necessary, to retrain staff (pre-consulting). To conduct this stage of our co-workers are on their own. Since the diagnosis is a complicated steps, it is better to entrust the conduct of its professionals, it virtually guarantees a future for a certificate.
Mandatory step is the completion of audit quality management system. At this stage reveals the extent to which this system standards requirements.
To achieve maximum efficiency and the objective outcome is desirable that a preliminary audit and consulting services (directly certified) was carried out by different organizations.
After completing all phases of the company issued a certificate 9001-2008 (ISO 9001-2008), which operates from 3 to 5 years. During this time, must conduct an internal or external audit. Internal audit can be conducted company's employees who have been trained. The external audit carried out by experts an accredited certification authority. If during the audit revealed violations, the certificate may be revoked.
What are the benefits of implementing a quality management system?
A: Alignment of the quality management system in the enterprise in accordance with the requirements of the package of standards 9001-2008 (ISO 9001-2008) gives the company significant internal and external benefits. The very existence of the enterprise ISO certificate confirms that it provides high quality products. As a result, customers and business partners formed a positive image of the company, which gives it a competitive advantage. All these factors cause a dynamic change in the enterprise market in the form of increasing the number of customers receiving benefits under the insurance and lending, the growth of investment attractiveness. In addition, applying its work standardized quality management system, the company successfully solve domestic issues activities. For example, effectively coordinates the interaction of units and business processes, reduces risk, ensures the stability of high-quality products, increase profitability.
What are the cost and timing of the introduction of the QMS and ISO certification?
Answer: The cost of providing certification services and deadlines are very individual. Very often they are directly dependent on the state already working in the enterprise quality management system. Also, the price and terms of influencing factors, such as output and product range, number of employees, etc. Even the location of the company plays a role in determining the final cost of services, as well as the passage of the certification procedure assumes a visiting expert work.
The time interval occupied by the certification process can range from 1 to 6 months.
All businesses that pass the certification, so different, it is very difficult to give even an approximate average cost of obtaining ISO certification. We can say only that the payback period the costs of creating and implementing certified quality system is, according to experts, from 1 to 3 years. At the same time, the existence of an enterprise certificate ISO increases its market value by 10 - 20%.
What mistakes can be the implementation and certification of QMS?
A: When choosing a certification center is very important to look not at the price of their service, and his reputation. Accredited certification centers carry a full range of work and documentation, which provides high quality legal "purity" and completeness of the services. In addition, the established business connections and experience to rapidly conduct all certification activities. Therefore, the desire to save and spend a minimum of certification, using the services of intermediaries may subsequently result in problems.
An important aspect of successful business and save them received after the certification of competitive advantage is not only maintaining the achieved level of quality management, but its further development and modernization. To achieve these goals very tangible contribution to company personnel. In order for employees to fully understand the importance of continuing high-level management of the company must explain the reasons and expected benefits of certification.
