You've made the plans, built the quality system and conducted the audit. So how do you register your company as ISO 9001 conformant? And how can you be sure you're getting the most value for your investment? Here's how the process works.
Certifying Your Company and Quality System
After your company's ISO 9001 audit, you will want to register your company's quality system to show that you've met the requirements. And to do this effectively, you will need to follow eight essential steps.
1. Finding a Registrar
You'll need to begin searching for an ISO registrar during the 2 to 3 months your company is still building its quality system. You can search the Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB) at http://www.rabnet.com to select the registrar right for you.
2. Selecting a Registrar
Select a registrar that has experience within the scope category of your specific industry, which you can also find on the RAB site. Keep in mind accreditation, scheduling issues, fees and comfort level when selecting the registrar right for you.
3. Creating an Application
A company and a registrar will agree on the application, contract. This defines the rights and obligations of both parties, and includes liability issues, confidentiality and access rights.
4. Conducting a Document Review
The registrar will require a copy of your quality manual and procedures to verify that all the requirements of the standard are addressed. Allow 2-4 weeks in advance for the registrar to fully review all of the necessary documents.
5. Determining Preassessment
Though optional, this 2-4 week initial review of the system identifies any significant omissions or weaknesses. It saves time and allows the registrar to assess any issues and resolve logistics before the actual assessment audit.
6. Issuing an Assessment
During the audit, or physical onsite inspection of procedures in action, the auditors will issue findings if they assess anything that doesn't meet requirements, or nonconformities. The length of this step will depend on the scope of the audit and the size your organization.
7. Completing ISO Registration
After all of the findings are put into the audit report and nonconformities are addressed, your company has the option to register as ISO 9001 conformant. You will receive a certificate and can also be listed in a register, which the company can use to publicize its registration and use in advertising.
8. Checking with Surveillances
To ensure that the system is maintained and that changes don't result in deficiencies in the system, registrars perform regular surveillances of the system. Over the three-year period of your certificate, auditors will perform one full and two partial checks of your system.
Considerations in Planning
The Document Review and Preassessment typically require 2-4 weeks each. However, the number of registrars and the number of days for each stage of the registration audit depends on the size and complexity of your organization. So set target dates accordingly to allow both you and the registrar time to fully prepare.
Strong Return on Your Internal Audit Investment
Always keep in mind, registration should provide you with valuable feedback to improve your system. So make sure to seek the appropriate registrar, and take full advantage of the entire audit process. After all, it's your company, it's your registration, and so make sure you get a strong return on YOUR investment.
Chris Anderson has over 18 years of sales, marketing and business management experience working with business process design, software and systems engineering. He is also co-author of policies and procedures manual products, producing the layout, process design and implementation to increase performance. He is currently the Managing Director of Bizmanualz, Inc. Visit: Bizmanualz, Inc.
My background is in retail management - yes, running stores,... Read More
It is becoming more common for employers to require employees... Read More
This article relates to the Career Opportunity competency, commonly evaluated... Read More
Is your online business disaster-proof? Online businesses face a unique... Read More
How you run your business is, of course your business.... Read More
If one does not understand a person, one tends to... Read More
"Nothing inspires confidence in a business man sooner than punctuality,... Read More
This article relates to the Coworkers competency, commonly evaluated in... Read More
Every small to mid-sized business owner would love to know... Read More
1. Create benefit intensifiers for your list of ad copy... Read More
I first met Roland (not his real name) in 1972.... Read More
Ever feel that all the lawyers in thh Country need... Read More
The steps need to be taken to prepare an organization... Read More
When looking to outsource overseas for Plastic Injection Molds or... Read More
As a training manager, there are two important aspects to... Read More
THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW MEETING: It's a fact - most supervisors... Read More
Assignment of Claims Act of 1986"....What does this mean for... Read More
Maximization methodologies have long been used in business to produce... Read More
Whoever said that being a meeting planner was easy, lied!... Read More
How many times have you wondered why you are unable... Read More
Inventory management may seem complicated to some, but if one... Read More
Today's employees are not only interested in security or in... Read More
During a recent seminar I gave located in the suburbs... Read More
It's that time again! Perhaps the most dreaded management practice... Read More
Even a well-planned teleconference can go poorly. Some people treat... Read More
Judgment is the process of forming an opinion of something... Read More
The following information is based upon over 500 interviews with... Read More
Organizations communicate in two directions: internally to staff and externally... Read More
I heard this back a few years ago. The boss... Read More
I don't encourage managers to wear funny hats, appear in... Read More
If a good manager asks his workforce for their opinion... Read More
What IS assertive communication? Assertive communication is the... Read More
This article relates to the Compensation and Benefits competency, commonly... Read More
The Critical Success Factors Focusing on the... Read More
I am not writing this to create a list of... Read More
A critical task in the succession planning process of any... Read More
At first blush, it would appear there is no shortage... Read More
Nothing has changed. Your ancestors lived by faith. Some planted... Read More
Your use of voice mail tells others a lot about... Read More
A major problem for employers today is attracting the best... Read More
As you look around your office, is everyone just like... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Why settle for bad feelings when your employee leaves the... Read More
"Nothing inspires confidence in a business man sooner than punctuality,... Read More
It is difficult to pick up a newspaper or listen... Read More
As a recent employee to your job, you are becoming... Read More
People want to understand their role - they want to... Read More
GROUP DECISION MAKING -- IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM: Tell specifically what... Read More
ACCOUNTABILITY: Delegation is not complete unless subordinates are held accountable... Read More
I have been very fortunate to travel to several countries... Read More
Some interviewers ask great questions; others ask dumb questions; and,... Read More
The need for constant reinvention is a given in today's... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
There's one simple secret to effective meetings: set an agenda... Read More
In the first part of this two part article, I... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Trained employees are more productive employees; thereā??s no doubt about... Read More
Whether you run your own business or manage a team,... Read More
Employers have rapidly begun to understand the importance of stress... Read More
Not long ago, weeding through DBA applicants with a tech... Read More
A 'dirt-world' retail business I used to manage had a... Read More
People in leading positions are often in a dilemma: on... Read More
You can boil down the difference between successful businesses and... Read More
Use this check list to assess your communication skills.Focus* Do... Read More
If you're one of the many executives struggling with finding... Read More
Q: Why is a great business like a great marching... Read More
Business Management |