How hard is it to achieve ISO 9001 certification?

At Citation Certification, we are committed to providing ISO certification to businesses across Australia and globally to help them achieve their goals. We can simplify your ISO 9001 implementation by incorporating practical solutions to bridge gaps within your system which fit your organisation’s culture and requirements.

What is ISO 9001?

ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard for a quality management system (QMS) developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It provides a framework for organisations to ensure consistent quality in their business processes and exceed customer expectations consistently.

The standard focuses on key principles such as risk management, setting quality objectives, and improving business operations through a structured framework. By implementing ISO 9001, organisations can gain numerous benefits, including enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and increased trust from potential customers in a competitive marketplace.

Key ISO 9001 standards and their purpose

ISO 9001:2015 (Requirements of QMS) is the most recent iteration and based on seven quality management principles that senior management can utilise to facilitate improvement. They include customer focus, leadership, relationship management, continual improvement, process approach, data-based decisions, and people engagement.

• ISO 9000:2015 (fundamentals and definitions of QMS).
•  ISO 9004:2018 (QMS – Continual improvement).
• ISO 19011:2018 (Guidelines for auditing management system).

ISO 9001 certification process

Most business owners fear getting ISO certification because they believe it’s a complicated and unnecessary process. While it will depend on your quality management system, the most crucial part of ISO 9001 certification is learning the typical implementation process. You will be surprised at how simple the process is once you understand the requirements of ISO 9001 quality management.

• Key elements of ISO 9001 certification:
  • Organising processes.
  • Commitment and regular reviews.
  • Developing and managing an effective Quality Management System (QMS).
• Adjusting existing processes:
  • Many businesses already have processes in place, but these may need adjustments during the ISO 9001 implementation process.
  • Upgrading the management system is often necessary to meet certification standards.
• Importance of a high-performance management system:
  • An effective management system is crucial for running a successful business.
  • ISO 9001 certification helps align processes with best-practice standards, directly enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Involving a reviewer:
  • A reviewer may be needed to assess and improve outdated systems during the certification process.
  • This ensures your business meets the required quality management standards.
• Support from certification experts:
  • Reputable institutions, like Citation Certification, can assist in identifying and upgrading system components that don’t meet ISO 9001 standards.
  • Their expertise helps improve your management system, ensuring compliance and readiness for certification.

Variables to consider when getting ISO certification

There are some aspects to keep in mind that can influence your ISO certification process. These variables may include:

• the available resources and tools to get your company certified;
• your business’ motivation, requirements, and purpose for achieving ISO 9001 quality management certification;
• the state of your current management system and processes and how they compare with the needs of the new standard;
• whether your team is ready to support the effort;
• whether you have a realistic timeframe; and
• assessment of the possible risk management factors and roadblocks.

Benefits of ISO 9001 certification

The goal of ISO 9001 is to help companies improve customer satisfaction, meet customer expectations, and boost their bottom line. Therefore, implementing ISO 9001 can help your business organise a QMS, continually improve processes, save money, and create a satisfied workforce and customers. It also builds trust and long-term customer satisfaction by demonstrating your commitment to quality at every level of service delivery.

Steps to become ISO 9001 certified

1. Understand ISO 9001 requirements

Begin by familiarising yourself with the ISO 9001 standard and its quality management system principles. This includes understanding the iso requirements for consistent quality, risk management, and how to exceed customer expectations.

2. Conduct a gap analysis

Evaluate your current business processes and management system against the ISO standards. A gap analysis will help identify areas that need improvement to meet the ISO certification criteria.

3. Develop your Quality Management System

Create or update your quality system to align with ISO processes. This includes defining your quality policy, setting quality objectives, and ensuring ISO documentation is in place to support your business operations.

4. Train your team

Provide formal training for your management team and employees, including internal auditor and lead auditor training courses. This ensures everyone understands their role in the certification process and can ensure compliance with the ISO standards.

5. Perform internal audits

Conduct internal audits to assess the effectiveness of your quality management system. Use the audit process to identify non-conformities and implement corrective actions to address them.

6. Engage an accredited certification body

Select an accredited certification body to perform the certification audits. This is where we come in. We’ll evaluate your business needs and ISO documentation during an external audit to determine if you meet the iso 9001:2015 certification requirements.

7. Achieve certification

Once your business passes the certification audits, you’ll receive your ISO certificate and certification mark, signifying your compliance with ISO 9001. And you’ll be ISO 9001 certified. This demonstrates your commitment to quality management and provides numerous benefits in a competitive marketplace.

8. Maintain certification

To retain your ISO certification, schedule surveillance audits and re-certification audits with your certification body. Continuously improve your quality system and adapt to changes in business needs to ensure ongoing compliance.

How long does it take to get ISO certified?

The time it takes to become ISO certified depends on several factors, including the size of your organisation, the complexity of your business processes, and the readiness of your quality management system. For small businesses or medium-sized businesses, the ISO certification process typically takes between 3 to 12 months.

Overall, the timeline can vary, but with proper planning, formal training, and support from your management team, the certification journey can be streamlined to meet your goals efficiently. Maintaining your ISO certification will also require ongoing surveillance audits and re-certification audits to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

How to get ISO 9001 certification in Australia?

If you’re planning to get ISO 9001 certification, then you are in the right place. At Citation Certification, we will provide you with the relevant skills and knowledge to run your business according to international standards, increasing productivity. Our team will support you right through to your certification audit, ensuring you’re ready and confident in meeting compliance. Please contact us today to get started and learn more about becoming ISO 9001 certified.