FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is ISO?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies that promotes the development of standardization and related activities in the world.
What is the latest revision of ISO 9000?
ISO 9000 standard was initially published in 1987 with updates in 1993, 2000 and most recently, the current version in 2008. It is currently undergoing revision and an update is likely to be published in October 2015.
What is ISO 9000 certification?
It is an option for the Companies to have their quality systems assessed and certified by a third party. When successful, the company is awarded an ISO 9001 registration certificate. The certificate is usually valid for a period of three years, and confirmed every 6 to 12 months by a surveillance audit.
Who issues ISO 9000 certificates?
Certificates are issued by the Certification bodies that are licensed by ISO and International Accreditation Forum to ensure the requirements of the Standard are assessed in conformance of quality systems to ISO 9000 requirements and maintain a register of companies certified. There are currently over 35 ISO 9000 certification bodies operating in Australia.
How are ISO 9000 certification bodies accredited?
In order to be recognized, ISO 9000 certification bodies must be accredited. Over 80 countries in the world operate their national accreditation schemes. Joint Australia New Zealand Accreditation Board (JAS-ANZ) is responsible for supervising the activities of the certification bodies in Australia and New Zealand and ensuring regulations laid by ISO are complied in the certification process.
What are the essential ISO 9000 Process requirements?
ISO requires the organisations to identify its processes and determine interactions between them make available resources to support the operations and set criteria to measure output and improve process effectiveness on a continuous basis. Key processes, including in complex operations are product development, Sales and Marketing, Customer Relationship management, Procurement, Production operations, People management, Financial and Information management, etc
What does the certification process involve?
Invariably, review of documentation is the first step in the certification process. The review is either carried out at the certification body’s offices prior to scheduling of the actual ISO 9000 audit, or on site as part of the audit. This follows the ISO 9000 audit itself. The objective of the audit is to verify whether the quality system conforms to requirements of the ISO 9000 standard. If there are major nonconformances, the ISO 9001 certification is delayed until they are addressed.
What are the criteria for passing the ISO 9000 audit and being recommended for certification?
The main criterion are that there may be no major nonconformances and only a limited number of minor nonconformances scattered around different elements of the ISO 9000 system.
What are the criteria for passing the ISO 9000 audit and being recommended for certification?
The main criterion are that there may be no major nonconformances and only a limited number of minor nonconformances scattered around different elements of the ISO 9000 system.
What is a nonconformance?
Typically, a nonconformance is classified as major when there is a breakdown of an ISO 9000 system element, or when the actual conformance to quality requirements of the shipped product is seriously at risk. Minor nonconformance is an isolated lapse in implementing, or following any requirement of the ISO 9000 system.
Is it necessary to hire a consultant to implement ISO 9000?
No, if you have the necessary resources, time and top management commitment, you can do it yourself. But a right consultant will shorten your learning curve and help create a quality management system that is right for your company.
What are the benefits of ISO 9001 Certification?
- Improved market credibility
- Perceived of having higher quality products and services that may lead to preferential treatment when bidding on contracts
- Ability to bid on contracts that require ISO 9001 certification as a prerequisite for doing business
What are the main costs involved in achieving ISO certification?
- Internal costs associated with planning, developing, documenting and implementing the QMS including Training and awareness
- Conducting Internal quality audits
- Procurement of ISO 9000 standards
- Certification body costs comprising Application fee, administrative and maintenance fees, Pre-assessment – optional and Certification audits that depend on the size and complexity of the organization
- Ongoing Surveillance audit costs inclusive of Travel expenses, etc
Options are, engaging services of a consultant and/or external training.
Certified Lead Management Consultant and Lead Auditor