ISO CERTIFICATION

ISO CERTIFICATION

ISO refers to International Organization for Standardisation. It is an independent organisation that provides standards in terms of quality, safety, and efficiency of products and services provided by businesses. With the increasing competition among the business, it is important to deliver high quality of goods & services in order to sustain in the market. ISO certification helps to improve your business credibility as well as overall efficiency of the business. There are different types of ISO certifications, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 5001, etc.

Additionally, ISO Certification

ISO Certification helps in demonstrating continuous improvement. It also certifies that the following process has fulfilled all the criteria for standardization and quality check. The certification is issued in various fields and every ISO certification has a different set of criteria:

• The Management System
• Manufacturing Process
• Service or the Documentation Process

This certificate is used by business to demonstrate the ability systematically provide products and services that meet the regulatory requirements and customer satisfaction. Getting ISO 9001 Certification means that the company should pass a physical ISO 9001:2015 certification audit done by a certifying agency or a registrar of that place.

ISO 9001 DEFINITION

The certification ISO 9001:2008 includes three components: ISO, 9001, and 2015. Here's what each component represents:

ISO

ISO refers to the International Organisation for Standardisation, which develops the standards to certify businesses or organisations.

9001

The number appearing after ISO classifies the standard. All standards within the ISO 9000 family refer to quality management. ISO 9001 defines the criteria for meeting quality management principles, helping businesses and organisations be more efficient and improve customer satisfaction.

2015

The final number in an ISO certification refers to the version of the standard being met and is represented by the calendar year of its launch. 2015 is the fifth edition of ISO 9001, launched in September 2015.

Objective of ISO Certification

The aim of getting ISO certification is to advance the improvement of standardisation in the technology of an organisation.

Types of ISO Certifications

To choose the appropriate ISO certification, there are two components involved. Firstly, one needs to choose the ISO certification that is applicable to the business plans. There are various types of ISO certifications:

• ISO 9001:2008 – Quality Management System
• ISO 27001 – Information Security Management System
• ISO 10002 – Complaint Management System
• ISO 26000 – Social Responsibility
• ISO 22008 – Food Safety Management
• SA 8000 – Social Accountability
• SO 13485 – Medical Devices
• ISO 20121 – Sustainable Events

Depending on the type of business or product and the minimum standards compliance that an applicant wishes to declare, they can choose the appropriate ISO certification. The next step is choosing an appropriate ISO certification body.

Choosing an ISO Certification Body

An important point to note is that ISO does not provide ISO certifications for businesses and products. The certification process itself is conducted by third-party services. However, applicants can choose the certification body based on their discretion regarding credibility and legitimacy. Considerations for choosing an ISO certification body include:

• Conduct thorough evaluation of various ISO certification bodies.
• Ensure the certification body follows ISO’s Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO) standards.
• Check whether the certification body is accredited to meet the minimum requirements of ISO accreditation agencies.

Benefits of ISO Certification

The benefits of ISO Certification include:

• Enhances Business Efficiency
• Improves Marketability
• Better Customer Services
• Global Credibility
• Improves Product Quality
• Helpful In Government Tenders

Documents Required for ISO Certification

For documentation, the first step is to choose the type of ISO Certification required for the business. Basic documents required for ISO Registration/Certification include:

• Identity and address proof of the Applicant along with the copy of PAN Card and Aadhar card.
• Passport Size Photograph of the applicant.
• Utility Bill or Electricity Bill.
• Copy of Sale deed in case of owned property.
• Rent Agreement if the place of business is a rented property.
• Certificate of Incorporation and MOA & AOA in case of a company.

Procedure for ISO Certification

1. Choosing The Kind Of Certification: Select the desired ISO certification.
2. File An Application: Submit an application to the ISO registrar including power and responsibilities of the entrepreneur and certification body.
3. Submission Of Documents: File the application along with requisite documents, reviewed by the ISO certification body.
4. Initial Review Of The Quality Management System: Conduct a pre-assessment to identify weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.
5. Preparing An Action Plan: Address identified gaps in the Quality Management System with an action plan.
6. On-Premises Audit By The Registrar: Conduct an audit of changes made; categorize any non-compliances as minor or major.
7. Obtaining ISO Certificate: Receive ISO certification once all non-conformities are resolved.

Types of Audits under ISO Certification

Types of audits conducted under ISO Certification:

• Internal Audit: Conducted by trained staff or external organization.
• Supplier Audit: Ensures proper functioning of suppliers and correct supply of products/services.
• Certification Audit: Conducted by auditors of Certification Bodies.

Cost Involved in ISO Certification Process

Cost for ISO certification varies based on organization size, processes, risk levels, management system complexity, working shifts, etc.

Time Involved in ISO Certification Process

Time taken varies: Small organizations (6-8 months), Medium organizations (8-12 months), Large organizations (12-15 months).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the cost of ISO Certification?

ISO Certification costs vary based on organization size and operational procedures.

Q. Can a person choose any ISO accreditation?

No, ISO accreditations are specific and valid. It's essential to choose the right one.