It’s time to install the ISO Management System into your company. You’ve been searching the internet for hours and ripping your hair trying to discover the meaning of ISO standards and what all the numbers indicate. Are they producing 50001 versions of these standards? In your travels, you’ve encountered vague words like “helps increase efficiency” and ‘inspires continuous improvement’, but none is any clear picture of the way the ISO Management System works in actuality. You’ve questioned ISO, but nobody has ever known about ISO and its importance and significance in daily life. You’re lost.
It’s normal for people to experience similar confusion when confronted by all the complexities of ISO Management Systems.
But don’t fret.
This article was designed to transform anyone who is a Management System layman into someone well-informed, knowledgeable and able to make a choice that could affect the future growth and success of their company.
What are Management Systems, and why should I need one?
Let’s start with an analogy. Imagine that you’re driving to a destination that you’ve never visited previously. At the very least, you’ve got an idea of the best way to get there, which roads to follow and what landmarks to search for, but you’re not able to be sure. At best, you’ll have to start hoping that a milestone or two will appear on the way to ensure you’re on the right path, without knowing what time it will take.
Imagine you’ve got a sat-nav. The guesswork is over. Now, you’re given a range of options that you are confident will lead you to the exact location, considering the roadwork and traffic you may encounter on the route.
The help of a sat-nav provides an estimated travel time and can ensure that, if you were to take the same route over and over, you’d always arrive at the right place at the same time (providing you don’t get into problems).
The navigation system also helps ensure your safety. It warned you about sharp turns, sudden changes in speed, and crossings.
In the end, it is similar to the use of Management Systems. Management Systems ensure you have the proper process in place. Ensuring that the employees are well-trained and are fully aware of the best ways to perform your job and reach your targets.
Management Systems ensure that you remain consistent in what you do and that you are moving toward your desired goal. And doing it in a manner that is as safe as possible and reduces the number of resources wasted.
Processes and Procedures
In essence, the term Management System is a set of procedures and processes businesses follow when providing their services and products. The purpose that Management System guidelines are to assist companies in achieving certain goals which are the most popular of which are:
- Continuous top-quality, high-quality services and products
- The aim is to reduce the environmental impacts
- The guarantee of protection for data against various threats to the security of information such as hackers and viruses
- Protection of well-being and health of employees
- Energy efficiency through efficient use
- Minimizing the risk of food safety and the risk of spoilage
To meet each of these objectives for each of these goals, there’s a Management System Standard, an issue that will be discussed in more detail in the future. However, I hope you’ve understood the essence of what Management Systems are and how they could benefit your business.
What is ISO, and what is the purpose of ISO Standards? ISO Standards?
ISO refers to the term given to the International Organisation for Standardisation. If you’ve looked at ISO, you’ve probably learned that ISO is an acronym that comes from the Greek term isos meaning equal. It is essentially an ISO is an organization that aims to ensure an environment of consistency for businesses to operate across the globe, offering the highest quality products and services to customers.
The federation is a non-governmental organization made up of representatives from the 164 national Standard organizations that meet in the headquarters of Geneva every year to provide world-class knowledge and to develop consensus-based industrial Standards. These Standards are, in turn, issued to aid businesses in implementing efficient Management Systems into their operations.
ISO Standards are everywhere. Since its inception, ISO has published over 22,000 international Standards and related documents that cover nearly every industry – from food safety to computers as well as health and the latest technology. This means that the smartphone, tablet or computer you’re using to read this article may have been designed following the ISO standards guidelines.
ISO Standards themselves constitute the source of documentation for Management Systems. They outline the requirements and specifications that allow businesses to ensure that they have operational Management Systems.
ISO Families
ISO Standards are produced in series, often known as families. This means they contain various versions of the identical Standard.
For example, ISO 9000 is often referred to as the family’s name. ISO 9001 is the edition that you’d want to be certified for since it defines the essential conditions you need to meet to set up a Management System which demonstrates that you can consistently deliver products and services that satisfy the requirements of your clients in addition to the relevant statutory and regulatory standards.
In implementing a 9001 Management System, you could then decide to follow the procedures described by ISO 9004 because it is intended to enhance the quality control system effective in achieving your business’s goals and goals. It provides guidelines to improve an organisation’s capacity to maintain its success.
Additionally, there are additional guidelines, like ISO 19011 (guidelines for auditing Management Systems) which can be beneficial as it offers guidelines on auditing programs, the process of conducting external and internal audits, and information regarding auditor competency.
Updates
ISO regularly reviews and updates the contents they have in the ISO Standards, and generally, they release an updated version of a Standard each 3-5 years. However, it could be more. ISO Standards are represented with numbers because they don’t need to translate from one country to another. Thus, any interested person, regardless of where they are, will be able to determine the Standards you are a part of simply by looking at the appropriate ISO Number on your paperwork and marketing materials. For instance, in the case of the 9000 families, this code represents Standards that pertain to quality management.
ISO Certification
To use ISO Standards to your advantage. It is highly recommended that you obtain certification. To do this, the company has to prove that they adhere to the established specifications in the presence of an auditor who is qualified.
Companies with accredited ISO Management Systems in place not only reap the benefits mentioned earlier. but also seem more credible to potential clients since it demonstrates that they have proved an internationally recognized quality of operation. This could be an edge in competition for companies seeking to be awarded competitions.
Examples of ISO Standards
You’ve probably heard of them previously, but to be safe, here’s an outline of the most popular ISO Standards.
Number one is the ISO 9001 Standard. It is an internationally recognized norm for the management of quality. It is used by more than 1 million businesses and ensures they consistently provide top-quality products and services.
Another well-known ISO Standard is the 14001 ISO 14001 – Environmental Management. With the real dangers posed by climate change, it’s now more crucial than ever for companies to reduce their environmental footprint. This standard is designed to do just that: reduce waste and enhance efficiency in resource use.
In today’s world, the handling of data is a common routine, but it also presents risks for hackers to steal or corrupt a client’s data. ISO 27001 – Information Security Management ensures that data is secure, offline or online.
ISO 45001 is the last standard we’ll be able to discuss. It’s the standard internationally used for occupational safety and health. Implementing the bar helps companies reduce the risk of accidents and infractions of laws.
ISO Consultants
ISO Standards are not the most user-friendly document on the planet for those who aren’t acquainted with the terms. They provide an outline of standards which are subject to interpretation that is unclear. This is why you may not wish to deal with the hassle of installing the system on your own. It’s a long and time-consuming trial-and-error. This time and effort would indeed be better utilized in running your business.
This is where you can see where the ISO Consultant comes in. ISO Consultants are professionals in helping businesses implement Management Systems and achieve subsequent certification. It is extremely advantageous to have the assistance of an ISO Consultant. Who can guide you through this process and give practical advice throughout the process.
A reputable ISO Consultant will evaluate your company’s present situation. And determine the steps you’ll need to take to comply with the specifications in the ISO Standards. They are familiar with the ISO Standards completely and will remove any doubt. This significantly accelerates your progress and makes it easier to complete the process of getting ISO certified.
Rely on the professionals
The management system provides a professional award-winning, award-winning solution for ISO Management Systems.
Expert consultants offer guidance at each step of the way. So, that you can ensure that the Management System is implemented as efficiently and efficiently as possible. From the initial consultation to certification, it could be as short as 45 working days.
Take it away
If you have any additional questions concerning everything ISO related. Make sure to reach out to us via email or our live chat, which is available 24 hours a day. We’re always eager to assist.
