What Is ISO 9001:2015?
ISO 9001:2015 is a set of practices and requirements that can help organizations of all sizes improve their quality management and create a quality management system (QMS). ISO 9001:2015 is the latest revision of previous standards and requirements that replaces previous versions, most notably ISO 9001:2008.
Why Is ISO 9001:2015 Important?
ISO 9001: 2015 provides a framework for organizations that want to improve quality standards and provide superior products and services for their customers. This framework also helps identify a wide array of processes where consistency may be lacking and helps make those processes more efficient.
What Are the Benefits of ISO 9001:2015?
For organizations that go through ISO9001:2015 certification, it can help them identify flaws in their current QMS or create one when they currently do not have proper quality management practices in place.
Another benefit of ISO 9001:2015 is that it offers flexibility. It does not tell businesses how to run their operations or how they should do it. Rather, it helps guide those businesses to determine what areas of manufacturing and/or service offerings could benefit from enhancing their practices in improving their QMS.
In addition, it helps businesses streamline their processes by improving efficiencies and aligning those with the desired objectives. At the same time, ISO 9001:2015 can help reduce production costs while improving quality.
Organizations can also use ISO 9001:2015 to help meet regulatory and specific local, county, state, and government requirements, rules, and regulations. The QMS provides the framework for developing solutions to meet a wide range of mandated requirements.
Furthermore, ISO 9001:2015 can help organizations tap into new markets and grow their businesses. For instance, many government contracts require businesses to be ISO 9001:2015 certified. Becoming certified opens new opportunities that may have been previously unattainable to them.
One of the major benefits of ISO 9001:2015 is it can help improve the image of a business. Potential customers view businesses that have undergone and received ISO 9001:2015 certification as providing better quality than competitors which offer similar products and/or services that are not certified.
How Does One Obtain ISO 9001:2015 Certification?
The certification process is performed by an independent firm. ISO only provides the framework for organizations to help identify areas of improvement in quality and workmanship and guide them in creating a QMS.
Businesses that want to obtain certification must hire a firm that specializes in the certification process. This firm will perform an audit on the company that wants to become certified. They will review their QMS, processes, and procedures to ensure they match the current requirements of ISO 9001:2015.
If the organization is found to be compliant in the various areas, then the firm will certify the business as being ISO 9001:2015-compliant. The business can now use special logos and labels on its website, social media pages, marketing materials, and advertising to state they are ISO 9001:2015-certified.
Who Should Use the ISO 9001:2015 Revision?
Any business that has been previously certified under the ISO 9001:2008 standards should have been recertified for ISO 9001:2015. As of 2018, if a business has not updated its QMS and been recertified, then it can no longer state it is ISO 9001-certified.
Aside from previously certified businesses, any organization, regardless of size that wants to improve its image, streamline processes, reduce costs, improve quality, and so on, should consider undergoing the ISO 9001:2015 process.
Topics and Industries Covered by ISO 9001:2015
ISO 9001:2015 covers a wide range of topics that can help a business improve various processes and procedures. These include, but may not be limited to:
- Total Quality Management
- Quality Management System
- Auditing
- Social Responsibility
- Environmental Management System
These topics can be applied to virtually any industry in any market segment, of any size. Some of the more common industries that use ISO 9001:2015 include:
- Aerospace
- Technology
- Tech-Based Services
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Food Service/Restaurants
- Agriculture
- Financial Services
- Supply Chains/Warehousing
- Retail
How Long Does ISO 9001:2015 Certification Take?
The entire process can take anywhere from a few months up to a year to complete. It largely depends on the size of the organization, the resources available to focus on ISO 9001, and how fast new processes and procedures can be implemented.
How Long Does ISO 9001:2015 Certification Last?
Certification is typically for a 3-year period. At the end of this period, the company must undergo recertification processes, and it is issued a new, updated ISO 9001:2015 certificate. It is worth noting that some industries have to renew their certification annually, however.
Additionally, annual or bi-annual audits should be conducted by the organization to ensure it is maintaining ISO 9001:2105 standards. The organization can also be subject to annual audits by the independent firm that certified the business.
If the firm discovers the business is not maintaining ISO 9001:2015 standards, it will typically give the business a set period to make corrections. Failure to do so could result in losing ISO 9001:2015 certification, even though the certificate might still be valid.
ISO 9001:2015 and VAVE
VAVE consists of two key elements: Value Analysis and Value Engineering. Both are distinct processes that are used to enhance the worth of a specific product. Since their objectives are to make quality improvements and improving efficiency, they tie directly into the framework found within ISO 9001:2015.
What Is Value Analysis?
Value Analysis (VA) is the process of evaluating an existing product already in production. The objective is to identify key areas where improvements are needed and could be beneficial, not only to the quality of the product but also in reducing production costs.
For example, you have an electronic device that has been on the market for a few years. With advances in technology, conducting a VA could be beneficial.
You might discover there are less expensive parts and components you could use to build your product. You may also discover that, with some enhancements to the product, you could improve its quality.
What Is Value Engineering?
Value Engineering (VE) is the process of maximizing the quality and value of a product while still in the product design and development stage. This can be accomplished through CAD/CAM, value engineering services, rapid prototyping, and other such methods.
One objective of VE is to identify the most efficient processes that could be used to manufacture the product. Another objective is to identify what parts and components would be required that provide a quality finished product.
The last objective is to determine how to source the quality raw materials that could help keep costs downs. VE also considers alternatives, including changes in product design, production processes, and raw materials.
Why Aren’t More Businesses ISO 9001:2015-Certified?
ISO 9001:2015 certification is an ongoing process. Some businesses simply lack the resources—financial, human, etc.—needed to obtain initial certification and maintain a QMS. These businesses often turn to other organizations that are ISO 9001:2015-certified.
For example, if you require value analysis and value engineering services, you will want to hire a company that has been ISO 9001:2015-certified. This ensures that your VA and VE are being conducted while using ISO 9001:2015 best practices and standards.
Another time you would want to look for an ISO 9001:2015 certified business is when you need rapid prototyping services. Again, you could rest assured that the end results would follow ISO 9001:2105 standards of quality and efficiency.
When you turn to an outside business for help that is ISO 9001:2015, your business benefits as well. You can share with your customers and potential customers that you are obtaining value engineering services, rapid prototyping, machining engineering solutions, kitting, sourcing, assembly, packaging, and other such services from a firm that is ISO 9001:2015-certified.
To learn more about VAVE and other machining engineering solutions provided by an ISO 9001:2105-certified business, please feel free to contact Laszeray Technology, LLC at 440-582-8430 today!
