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Is ISO certification worth it?

Obtaining ISO certification is not a requirement of the standard or mandatory by law, but it helps the organization to meet customers and as well as the statutory and regulatory requirements. This certification demonstrates an organization’s involvement in promoting its management system performance. Also, for some companies, the ISO certification is a legal or contractual requirement. So the answer is yes, the ISO certification is worth achieving.

In this article, we will let you understand the internal and external benefits of the ISO certification as well as the applicable ISO certifications for your organization.

About ISO Certification

Still confused! What is ISO certification and why is it important? Here is a brief explanation for your queries.

ISO certification is a representation of an organization that has a well-developed management system. It ensures the organizations follow the best practices to bring effective improvement in the system performance. This increases the credibility of your business by establishing that your product and service meets your customers’ expectations.

Want are the types of ISO certification?

ISO has developed more than 20000 standards to help businesses in various sectors such as ISO 9001, 14001, ISO 27001, etc. Each ISO standard has its own requirements, benefits, and as well as ISO certification. Here are some of the ISO Certifications that IAS provides.

ISO 9001:2015 certification

Whether you want to promote the quality of products or services, the ISO 9001 quality management system certification is the ultimate choice for it. This certification is one of the popular management system certifications which are applicable for all types of sizes of the organization. It ensures the organizations to provide high-quality products and services to the customers. Also, ISO 9001 certification helps organizations to meet potentially conscious customers all over the world.

ISO 14001:2015 certification

ISO 14001 environmental management system certification helps organizations to improve environmental performance by reducing the environmental impacts on processes, products, and services. This standard certification reduces wastes and as well as operational costs.

ISO 27001:2013 certification

Prove that your security system is protected with the ISO 27001 information security and management system certification. It reduces information security threats and helps protect the confidential information of the customers/clients.

ISO 45001:2018 Certification

Create a safe working environment for employees and visitors with the ISO 45001 certification. This occupational health and safety management system certification ensures employees’ safety by reducing the occurrence of accidents and injuries in the workplace.

ISO 50001:2018 certification 

The ISO 50001 energy management system certification enhances the energy efficiency of the organization by reducing the consumption of energy. It also helps reduce energy waste and costs.

ISO 22301:2012 certification

ISO 22301 business continuity management system certification helps organizations to control and manage the business continuity risks and threats. It enhances the quality, efficiency, and continuity of the process and services.

ISO 22000:2018 Certification

ISO 22000 food safety management system certification helps food business industries to provide safe, high-quality food to the consumers by reducing the food safety hazards and risks. This certification is applicable to all types of food handlers in the food supply chain regardless of their size.

ISO 20000:2018 Certification

This ISO 20000 IT service management system certification helps organizations/service providers to provide quality services to the customers/clients consistently. 

ISO 15189:2012 Certification

ISO 15189 certification proves a medical laboratory’s competence in providing genuine results to the customers. Also, this certification standard helps the accreditation bodies and regulating authorities to evaluate the quality and competence of the medical laboratory.

ISO 17025:2017 certification

ISO 17025 Certification helps the laboratories to provide quality services to the customers. This quality management system certification enhances the reputation of your laboratory.

ISO 13485:2016 certification

ISO 13485 is a quality management system certification that specifically demonstrates the high-level performance of medical devices and equipment. This standard is applicable to all organizations that produce and deliver medical devices and as well as the associated services.

IATF 16949:2016 Certification

Enhance the quality management system of your automotive industry with the IATF 16949 certification standard. It ensures the industries to provide quality products and services to the customers.

SA8000 Certification

SA8000 social accountability management system certification helps organizations to develop socially accountable practices in the workplace. It ensures the employees are treated ethically in the working environment.

AS9100 certification

Establish the aviation, space, and defense product’s quality with the AS9100 certification. It helps to demonstrate the quality management system of the aerospace industry.

Operational benefits of ISO certification

Certifying to ISO helps you maintain a better internal management system. It ensures the continual improvement of the process and services. Some of the internal benefits of ISO are:

Increased process efficiency

Reduced customer complaints

Minimizes wastes and operational errors

Reduces failures

Helps to control and manage the errors

Helps meet statutory and regulatory compliance

Promote the working culture

Increases the profitability of your business

How does ISO certificate benefit a business externally?

Achieving ISO certification not only promotes the internal system but also helps demonstrates the overall QMS performance of your organization internationally.

Enhances credibility

Boosts the corporate image

Develops competency

Helps achieve government tenders

Customer loyalty

Employees job satisfaction

Stakeholder’s confidence

Strengthens the relationship with clients/stakeholders

New business opportunities

Moreover, brings global recognition to your business.

who gmp certification requirements

In this digital world, there are so many exciting facilities that have developed for communication. Regardless of the place there are in, people can communicate easily with each other with today’s improvements in information technology.

Digitalization is creating major changes in our society and as well as in day-to-day human activities. This also developed a great impact in our business process that is the way we are communicating with our clients. Nowadays, most of the business meetings are happening online and the companies also mostly prefer to conduct in this innovative format!

Achieving ISO certification also becomes an effortless task with this latest technology. This topic covers how can an organization obtain ISO certification online, the certification process, and as well as the benefits and drawbacks in acquiring ISO certification online.

Introduction to ISO certification

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental organization that stands strong with the membership of 164 national standard bodies. With experts’ knowledge and guidance, ISO develops international standards to support the growth of the organizations. ISO does not provide certifications! ISO develops and publishes ISO standards but it does not involve in the conformity assessment or in the certification process.

ISO Certified companies are globally recognized companies that conform to ISO standards and have a strong impression among consumers and shareholders.

This ISO Certification ensures the manufacturing process, services, documentation procedure as well as the management system has all the requirements for standardization and quality assurance.

ISO Certification is not a legal requirement for most organizations. But, for some companies, ISO certification may be required by law or contractually.

Whatever the case, obtaining ISO certification will surely bring lots of benefits to your organization. This certification helps you have the products, processes, services, and systems with standardized improvements.

What is a remote audit?

Remote audit - an amazing hand-in-solution to get certified to ISO!

Sometimes, for some reason, the certification audit could not be conducted in person. Remote audit is a perfect replacement for these kinds of situations.

Remote audit is a virtual audit which is performed online through video conference by using digital platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, Skype, etc. Through this remote audit, a certification body evaluates the organization process, system and collects the audit evidence remotely. This type of audit helps especially the organizations which are located in isolated areas.

During this Covid-19 pandemic period, Remote audit is the preferable choice for most of the organizations across the globe. Also, it creates an incredible opportunity of obtaining the IOS certification from the place you are. It avoids the need of travelling from one place to another.

ISO Certification process online

Here are the simple steps of IAS to get ISO certification online

Contact IAS:

Visit our website! Fill out the ISO certification application form specific to your organization’s management system and email it to us. Also, attach the required documents mentioned in that application form. You can also drop a mail if you’re not sure of which ISO certification helps represents the effective improvement of your organization. Our management team will help you get detailed information. Or you can contact us and have a free discussion about the certification and auditing process.

Remote audit by IAS:

After receiving the application form, IAS will initiate the procedure for conducting the remote audit. While conducting a remote audit, make sure there will be no interruptions in the internet connection. Proper communication helps the auditors to perform the audit with the flow. Also, it reduces audit duration and saves time.

Issue of certification:

The audit report will be sent to the registered mail address. If there are any deviations, our auditing team will send the audit report with a deviation report. The organizations need to implement the requirements within the specified time given by IAS.

After the effective implementation, our auditing will again conduct another remote audit to make sure your organizations meet the required ISO criteria specific to the scope you’re applied for. Finally, IAS will issue the certification. The soft copy of the certificate will be sent to your mail address. 

Certification validity:

The initial certification provided by IAS is valid for 3 years. IAS also conducts surveillance audits in the gap of every 12 months. It ensures the continual improvement in your organization’s process, services, and system.

What are the advantages of certifying to ISO?

By achieving the ISO Certification, the organization can gain the following benefits.

Global recognition

Improved reputation

New business opportunities

Better internal management

Enhanced customer confidence

Better relationship with stakeholders

Increased productivity as well as profitability

How to choose the best certification body?

It is also important to choose the right ISO certification body. Before you contact them, make sure they are providing the certification for the standard you have implemented. Verify whether they are an accredited platform and trustable organization. Some of the facts you need to check before you select the right ISO certification body are:

Accreditation – this tells the certification body is certified to provide the standardized certifications.

Reputation and credibility – this helps you gain the confidence of stakeholders/clients

Experience – look for the certification body’s experience in providing the services in the specific ISO standard

Professional auditors - Ensure the auditors have versatile knowledge about your organization’s process and system

Language – it may be the last point, but it’s also important to choose the certification body that speaks your language. This helps you communicate with the auditors comfortably.

Advantages of obtaining ISO certification online

Time and cost-effective method

By acquiring the ISO certification online, you can reduce the time required for conducting the audit.

No travel or accommodation fee

In on-site audit, sometimes the organization needs to take care of the auditors travel and accommodation expenses. This is eliminated in remote audits.

High-level performance

Remote audit is a convenient method for both the auditors and auditee. It helps auditors to conduct the audit at the comfort of their office and perform the audit more effectively.

No interruptions, happy employees 

In the on-site audit, there may be chances to make changes in the employees' daily work schedule. But in remote audit, the auditors will interact with the respective person and collect the required evidence.

Obstacles in getting ISO certification online:

Obtaining the ISO certification online also has certain obstacles. 

Lack of internet facility

While performing the remote audit, there may be chances for a slow internet connection. This disturbs the commutation between the auditors and auditee.

Duplicate evidence

The audit evidence can’t be evaluated physically. So, there may be chances of mismatching in the documents and organization’s process.

Poor interaction

Sometimes, the auditors have poor knowledge about the remote audits. So he/she may fail to collect the required audit evidence.

Be aware of fake ISO certification

There are so many spam websites available online. So, make sure you have chosen the right ISO certification body to guide you in the implementation process for the achievement of ISO certification.

certificazione ISO

Derive the process

Each organization is made up of affiliate process. The process is a set of tasks that use the resources to return the output (people, products ...).

The process is often a complex process, involving product and services. ISO 9001 is designed to manage and improve these processes. 

First, you define the main processes.

Second, you define standards for these processes.

Third, you decide how to measure and evaluate the process.

Fourth, you document your approach to quality performance, defined by measurement.

Fifth, you are always getting better.

Define the Process

Flowchart is a fantastic way to describe the decomposing process in part to help explain it easier and help improve your process. A flowchart is a simple diagram showing the process, making viewing and communication easy. They allow you to see more clearly what is really going on in the process and in addition to their interactions.

Define the Standards

Turtle Diagram is a great tool that can be used by your organization to view visual support processes. This tool helps identify inputs, outputs, standards, and other information that allow you to effectively implement and improve processes.

Methods to Measure and evaluate

At every stage there should be a specific activity management system. By combining elements of the critical process and combining actionable strategies with purposeful and objective planning, the organization can lead the best in class leadership's ability to achieve competitive advantage. Therefore, it is important how to measure and evaluate the process. The process can be measure in the following ways

Process effectiveness

Process Alignment

Process Reliability

Process Cycle

Process Efficiency

Resource Productivity

Document the process

A process document describes the steps necessary to complete an activity or process. This is internal and ongoing documentation of the process as it is happening: the documentation is more about the "how" of the implementation than the "what" of the process influence. A company is essentially a group of interconnected processes and if these processes are not written, interruptions can occur. Companies use repetitive processes, which are the basis of their success, therefore the process documentation provides important indications for employees and managers.

Not only do you need to document the processes, you also need to document them properly. A poorly written procedure can lead to failure. Common causes of poorly written procedures are:

Does not explain the purpose or motivation of the task

Release of information

Including unnecessary and disruptive information

Many working documents reveal your business philosophy. Poorly written and outdated documents may indicate lack of care. Topical and polished documents strengthen teams and improve efficiency.

Continual improvement

During activity tracking, look for specific areas that may require a quality review to improve performance, such as transferring tasks from one person to another. Try to reduce unnecessary movement between departments during the procedure. Take a look at some duplicate tasks and determine if they are useful or ineffective.

Organizations need to stay away from work with short-sightedness - getting closer to your mission will prevent you from continuing the process between work and work. You need to work on your job, not deal with it, to be able to identify the important tasks you are developing.

Full fill legal requirements

The organization must have an approach

to identify, maintain and update relevant legal and regulatory requirements,

for reporting relevant legal and regulatory requirements within the organization.

The organization must ensure that certain statutory and regulatory requirements are used as “process records”.

The organization must monitor the “results of the process” for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Implementation of ISO and consultants Role

An organization may not have the skills, time, experience, or professional qualifications to perform a QMS job without outside assistance. The QMS specialist will:

Ability to invest in knowledge and develop opportunities;

Bringing knowledge and insight into your QMS project,

Improve your chances of getting certified, by preventing any errors in QMS development and implementation.

Training

ISO 9001 needs training for all staff to understand their role in relation to QMS and its relevance. Training at the following levels needs to be necessary for effective implementation

1.Project managers and Team leaders

2.Training of team members

3.Training of Internal auditors

Conduct internal audit

Many companies believe that the internal audit process is a necessary form of damage they must suffer in order to maintain ISO 9001 registration. At best, they consider it a duplicate of the registrar, not realizing that internal audit can be much more efficient because there is time. In the worst case, internal auditors are seen as a kind of internal police force from which it is best to protect oneself by hiding important data or deceiving false data.

Indeed, as the owner of the process, the ISO 9001 internal audit process may be the best way to obtain a detailed set of external insights into the process. They can help identify areas for improvement, or perhaps someday, that will help your process run better, faster, or more efficiently. Below are five key steps that describe how an internal audit can be conducted in accordance with ISO 9001 and how they can best be used to direct owners of internal processes to the development of those processes.

Role of certification body

People often say they are "ISO certified," but they do not issue ISO certificates and do not certify individual companies by any standard. So, who can issue an ISO 9001 certificate? Issued by ISO certified bodies (also known as registrars or CBs).

Steps in auditing process

A certification audit is an audit that the IAS will perform to verify compliance with the ISO 9001 standard before your official ISO 9001 is issued. The certification audit is most often divided into two stages. A Phase 1 audit is performed to determine the organization's readiness for the second phase of the audit. If the auditor determines that you meet the minimum criteria for the first stage audit, your organization will continue the audit in the second stage. The second stage audits will always be on-the-spot audits. In this case, the auditor will interview your staff and check your documented information (procedures, records, etc.) to ensure that you comply with all ISO 9001. The certification audit is usually performed every three years.

After certification, IAS will periodically inspect you through surveillance audits to ensure that you continue to comply with QMS and ISO requirements. Surveillance audits are very similar to certification audits, except that they do not issue or re-issue a certificate. They are usually performed annually by the registrar.

certification gmp

When We talk to our customers, we often talk about the implementation of various ISO standards, and we often hear that ISO 20000 and ISO 27001 are strongly related, they have much in common and, if you have implemented one of them, the other one will be much easier. But, when we start discussing details, it’s a different story.

It’s true that these two standards do have a lot of things in common but, more accurately: they complement each other. On the other hand, they also have differences, so you can’t copy/paste a complete implementation. Let’s examine that in more detail.

Let’s start with ISO/IEC 27001 Certification based on ISMS (Information Security Management System). Although it seems that ISO 27001 Certification is related to information only, the “story” is broader. Information could be a broad term, that encompasses information, place, and instrumentation wherever knowledge is control.

It conjointly includes devices and software systems for process, management, folks and also the organization concerned. Additionally, it includes communication channels, suppliers and procurement, development and legislation. As you'll be able to see, if we are saying that ISO 27001 Certification relates to the data, we actually didn’t say nearly enough.

ISO/IEC 22000 Certification for Foods Industries is similar SMS (Service Management System). It defines, implements, manages and improves IT service from its design through management and improvement after release in a live environment. That goes way beyond what the service does and encompasses how the service is built, how it is used, and how it handles issues that occur. It also includes how you set up your organization, your handling of third parties, reporting, and customer satisfaction/complaints/compliments, etc. Many of these elements can be found in ISO 27001, but they are seen from a different point of view.

ISO 20000 is process-based. Although ISO 27001 is not explicitly process-based, if you check Annex A (list of controls to manage risks), there are many controls for which you need to define a process. ISO 20000 processes tackle a similar topic as ISO 27001 controls.

Examples that your ISMS implementation might need inside the scope of its risk assessment:

Capacity – ISO 27001 Certification needs that capability to support needed system performance ought to be provided.

ISO 20000 Certification is additional careful in capability needs, planning, and observation.

Configuration – Both standards have strong requirements related to the assets needed to support IT services, i.e. information processing. ISO 20000 Certification goes deeper and sets more detailed requirements.

Incident – Information security incidents are just one category of incidents in ISO 20000. If you have implemented incident management in ISO 20000 Certification that will also be good enough for ISO 27001 Certification implementation.

Change – Both of the standards require change management to be implemented. ISO 20000 Certification views change management as control of many activities, from planning and designing the IT service, up to control once the service is in a live environment.

Supplier – Both standards see suppliers as one of the important elements of the management system. ISO 20000 Certification requires more details to be controlled with the supplier and their sub-suppliers.

So, those who claim that, if you have one of the standards in place, you already have a significant part of the other one are, essentially, right.

Seen from the ISO 20000 Certification point of view, the standard requires Information Security Management, IT Service Continuity and Availability processes to be implemented. Requirements for those two processes are very much in line with ISMS requirements defined by ISO 27001. So, if you have ISO 27001 Certification in place, it will be a great help for ISO 20000 Certification Service implementation. See the articles ITIL Incident Management and IT Service Continuity Management – waiting for the big one to learn more.

But, are there any differences between ISO 20000:2005 and ISO 20000:2013?

Although so far, a match between standards sounds perfect, it’s not that easy. ISO 20000:2005Certification and ISO 27001:2013 Certification have many common elements, but there are differences. ISO 20000 Certification is service-based. ISO 27001 Certification is risk management-based – it has risk management at its core. ISO 20000 Certification considers risks as one of the building elements of the IT service management i.e. adding more aspects on top of the service. (See also: The basic logic of ISO 27001:2013 How does information security work?)

ISO 20000 Certification goes deep into the daily operation of the IT organization. That means it coincides with some parts of the ISO 27001 Certification (like information classification, access control, continuity concept, etc.) but looks for a broader context. Further, in addition to the information security, ISO 20000 gives a 360-degree view on the service, including financial aspects, design, release, and deployment of the IT service, service level management, business relationships with customers, etc.

So, in ISO 20000 some common processes such as incident, change or capacity management, go into much more detail to manage IT services (taking into account customer requirements, all aspects of IT service delivery, characteristics of the services, roles, and responsibilities, customers, etc...

Visit : ISO 20000 Certification

ISO 22000 Certification is a standard under ISO which has particulars for the structure of food safety management in an association. This standard is frequently considered as one of the sorts of value the management system in an organization. ISO 22000 Certification for Foods Industries which is perceived all around the globe, covering the key elements to guarantee the food safety. The greater part of the food safety specialists allude ISO 22000 Certification as a crucial structure of any food business. The certification demonstrates that your association has a legitimate food safety management system. ISO 22000:2018 Certification incorporates the following:

•Interactive communication

•Food System management

•Stopping the food safety risk by HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)

•Continuous improvement of food safety management system

Who need ISO 22000 Certification?

For the most part the people who are either legitimately or in a roundabout way occupied with food and food supply business require ISO 22000 Certification. Aside from that, in the event that you have a café or you bargain in the business of packing and re-packing, at that point additionally you need the food safety management system. It is viably viewed as that ISO 22000 Certification is a blend of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and a piece of ISO 9001(which arrangements in the Quality Management System). Individuals who are in to the matter of assembling and transportation additionally need ISO 22000 Certification.

Why is ISO 22000 Certification important to your Company?

ISO 22000 Certification for Foods Industries Certification is recognized all through the worldwide food supply chain and certification is an approach to end up a provider of decision. ISO 22000 Certification Certification openly exhibits your pledge to food safety. It depends on best in class best practices and is intended to:

•Identify, manage and mitigate food safety related risks and issue.

•Make trust with stakeholders.

•Increase your Brand value in market.

ISO 22000 Certification Certification aligns with other ISO Certification management system standards, making it simple to coordinate your food security the executives with quality, ecological or health and safety the board. 

ISO 22000 Certification aligns with other ISO Certification management system standards, making it simple to incorporate your sustenance wellbeing the board with quality, ecological or heath and security the board.

Benefits of ISO 22000 Certification

 Food Safety Management System, for the most part known as ISO 22000:2018 Certification has various advantages including the consumer loyalty and believability of the association. FSMS or the Food Safety Management System was initially presented with the goal of exhibiting how well an association can recognize and control sanitation risks. Following are the significant advantages of ISO 22000 Certification.

Global Recognition

Since ISO 22000 Certification is a universally known and recognized standard, it opens the entryways to enable you to develop your business by the acquaintance of internationally perceived procedures with your association. The Certification awards you a global acknowledgment as well as makes you progressively consistent with the International food safety standards.

More Confidence among Stakeholders

 ISO 22000 Certification is the standard certification which guarantees the nature of your food and food safety, alongside the acts of risk control which further outcomes in certainty among partners and providers in your association.

Credibility and Transparency

Validity is one of the business perspectives which isn't anything but difficult to discover in business managing the natural way of life nowadays.ISO 22000 Certification enables you to be progressively straightforward and in this way increasingly tenable to the clients and investors. This inevitably fortifies your business development.

Continual improvement of business

A nonstop improvement and refreshing of systems and practices let your association improve routinely. This procedure likewise helps an association by making the frameworks powerful. ISO 22000 Certification from the ISO 22000 Certification Body helps an association to accomplish constant improvement of food business.

Principals: ISO 22000 certification

1.Hazard Analysis: Biological, chemical & physical.

2.Identify CCP: Identify Critical Control Point of food Chain.

3.Controls: Establishment of critical control points and preventive measures thereon.

4.Monitoring of CCP.

5.Ascertain Corrective Actions.

6.Records Keeping.

7.Third Party Audit.

Visit : iso 22000 in jordan

Occupational Health & Safety Management System

Just as every company is different, so every ISO Occupational Health & Safety Management System (OHSMS) is different, even if it is implemented to meet the requirements of ISO 45001:2018. When  you are using the requirements of the international standard to design the processes for your company, you will need to take into account the I Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) environment from a ISO 45001 Certification Body that is already present. If mental health is a key OH&S concern for your company, then the OHSMS that you create needs to connect mental health and the ISO 45001 processes. So, where does this fit into the ISO 45001:2018 standard?

Mental health in ISO 45001:2018 Certification

While it is not specifically mentioned in the ISO 45001:2018 Certification standard, mental health  initiatives can become an important part of the processes that you include in the OHSMS. Many of the requirements include areas where mental health can play a key part in implementation. Some of these clauses include:

Needs of workers and interested parties: One of the first things you need to do when implementing your OHSMS is to identify the needs of workers and other interested parties. This would be where you identify mental health as a key factor in the OH&S of the workforce then use this information in other processes of the OHSMS. If it is very important, then it should be incorporated into the OH&S policy that sets the overall goal of the OHSMS. 

Hazard identification: If mental health is one of the key needs of workers, then you will want to include this in your assessment of the hazards presented by different processes and functions in the organization. If you have hazards that are increasing the risk of poor mental health, then you will want to put controls in place to address these hazards. For example, since workplace stress can be a cause of poor mental health, if you have a process that is extremely fast-paced and can cause stress in employees who need to ensure the job is done correctly, you may want to find a way to rotate employees through this job to mitigate the hazard 

OH&S objectives and plans: One of the main ways that a company shows improvement within their ISO Occupational Health & Safety Management System is to pick some key areas where they want to improve performance within the company. Mental health could beone of these key performance indicators for which a company makes a plan to reach an improvement objective. This clause would further demand that you make a plan of action to 

reach your mental health improvement goal, including timelines, resources, and how you willevaluate the results. 

Eliminating hazards and OH&S risks: Where you have identified mental health hazards within your organization, you will want to put in some controls to eliminate the hazards or reduce its impact. For mental health hazards, you may need to consider administrative or engineering controls since you may not be able to fully eliminate the hazard. For instance, you may need to institute job rotation for employees so that a person does not end up in the same mentally stressful position. An example of this is nurses who rotate between patients because some patients can be more mentally taxing than others. For more on controlling hazards in the OHSMS. See the 5 Levels of hazard controls in ISO 45001.

5 levels of hazard controls in ISO 45001 and how they should be applied

Elimination – modify a design to eliminate the hazard; e.g., introduce mechanical lifting devices to eliminate the manual handling hazard;

Substitution – substitute a less hazardous material or reduce the system energy (e.g., lower the force, amperage, pressure, temperature, etc.);

Engineering controls – install ventilation systems, machine guarding, interlocks, sound enclosures, etc.;

Signage, warnings, and/or administrative controls – safety signs, hazardous area marking, photo-luminescent signs, markings for pedestrian walkways, warning sirens/lights, alarms, safety procedures, equipment inspections, access controls, safe systems of working, tagging, and work permits, etc.;

Personal protective equipment (PPE) – safety glasses, hearing protection, face shields, safety harnesses and lanyards, respirators, and gloves.

Management of change: This clause is different from those above. In general, during times of disruption, having a change management process that minimizes impact to the OH&S is good for employee mental health. Knowing what is happening in times of change is important for the mental health of many people, and therefore many of your employees can be positively affected if you manage change well.

One of the important reasons for implementing your OHSMS is to not only improve OH&S performance, but by doing so to help improve employee satisfaction. A focus on improving employee mental health can contribute to the improvement of employee satisfaction. In turn, this makes them more content and fulfilled with their workplace and job performance. Satisfied employees can be a great benefit for an organization by improving overall company performance.

Visit : iso 45001 certification

A bank is an organization that provides services to customers. In order to improve customer satisfaction, it is essential for banks to maintain and implement the quality of services. This can be achieved with the help of the ISO 20000 standard.

In this article, we will let you know more about ISO 20000, how this standard benefits the bank, and how to obtain the ISO 20000 certification.

ISO 20000:

It is one of the globally recognized standards for IT Service Management System (ITSMS). This international standard specifies requirements for organizations/service providers to continually improve an SMS. It also helps to drive betterment in the design, transition, and delivery of services. However, this voluntary standard also supports the service providers to fulfill agreed service requirements.

The requirements of ISO 20000 are proposed to be applicable to any service provider, regardless of the service it provides. Whether it is a small start-up company or large organization, the ISO 20000 certification is suitable for all.

For financial institutions like banks, implementation of ISO 20000 helps to gain customer loyalty, promote process efficiency, and as well as to meet regulatory compliance.

What is the responsibility of ITSMS in an organization?

The service management system of the organization is responsible for providing high-quality IT services to the customers/clients/stakeholders. It helps to monitor and ensure the level of compliance. Moreover, the objective of SMS is to meet customer requirements by implementing the quality of services.

How does a bank benefit by achieving the ISO 20000 Certification?

• Effective delivery of IT services

To meet customer requirements, the banking sectors have developed so many innovative features such as mobile banking, online banking, net banking, etc. implementing the specifications of ISO 20000 helps the financial institutions to provide the bust banking IT services to the customers.

• Continual improvement in the quality of services

ISO 20000 specifies a framework to plan, monitor, operate, review, maintain, and improve the quality of IT services.

• Customer satisfaction

The improvement in the quality of IT services enhances the credibility of your business. This helps customers to trust in your business process and service management system.

• Stakeholders confidence

The ISO 20000 certification establishes your organization’s involvement in delivering high-quality services to the customers as well as stakeholders.

• Enhanced reputation

Developing the ISO 20000 requirements not only ensures betterment in the quality services but also improves the reputation of your business.

• Increased competency

Achieving the ISO 20000 certification is not an easy job. It requires lots of effort and resources. But once you implement the service management system in compliance with ISO 20000, it enhances your competency and lets you stand alone from the competitors.

• International recognition

ISO is an International Organization for Standardization. It develops and publishes international standards for the organizations to follow the best practices in their management system process. So, promoting your management system with the help of ISO 20000 lets you achieve international market access.

How to obtain ISO 20000 certificate?

Acquiring the certification is not a requirement of the standard. But, it plays a major role in promoting the competency of your organization. So if you are planning to achieve the ISO 20000 certification, the following guidelines will help you reach the desired goals.

• Scope of the certification

To achieve the certification, the organization/service provider needs to prepare a scope of the certification that should describe the main process of your business, the number of people involved in this scope, etc. Preparing a clear scope helps the organizations to be confident about their process and the certification body to conduct the audit in an effectively.

• Contact the best ISO Certification body

Find the best ISO certification body that has proven experience in the same process you have applied for. If you’re providing services to international clients, it will be helpful if you choose the certification body that has international recognition. Here are some of the factors you should verify before selecting the certification body:

• Accreditation
• Global recognition
• Proven experience
• Professional auditors
• ISO certification cost

Contact the certification body by sending a proposal that tells the information about your company. Based on the scope submitted by your organization, the certification body comes with a plan to initiate the certification audit.

• ISO 20000 Certification audit

Basically, the ISO 20000 certification audit includes 2 stages. In stage 1 audit, the auditors will evaluate the documentation provided by the organization. The audit team will also analyze the operational methods, delivery of services, etc. They will provide an audit report with a deviation report (only if the system needs further implementation).

The final evaluation is carried out in the stage 2 audit. This is the main audit that determines whether the organization met the desired ISO criteria.

• Reward of ISO certificate

Finally, the certification body will issue the certificate based on the scope submitted by your organization.

• Surveillance audits

The surveillance audit does not have stage 1 and stage 2 audit. This initial certificate is valid for 3 years. During this period, the surveillance audits will be conducted by the certification body in the interval of 12 months.

• Recertification audit

After the validity of the initial certification is over, the certification body will perform a re-certification audit. This helps the organization to ensure the continual improvement of the management system and to maintain the certificate.

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General steps followed in obtaining ISO 13485 Certifications

Before obtaining a certificate, you must first develop and document your production processes to ensure proper procedures to ensure your quality.

These are the four basic steps to becoming an ISO certified business.

1. Develop your own management system

•Identify your main processes or processes.

•Documentation process involves employees.

•Review, validate and distribute documents to those who need information.

2. Revamp your system

•Be sure to describe the procedures in your document.

•Make sure staff is made to do the tasks.

•Create effective reporting systems on inspections, audits, payout actions, preventative actions, management review meetings, target monitoring, statistical methods, and more.

•Monitor the use of your processes as much as possible.

•Review and take steps to improve needed areas.

3. Check if your system is efficient

•Conduct audits and assessments of processes and systems for compliance and efficiency. Pay attention to the people, interview them, and look for sample recordings.

•Identify and report on the strengths and weaknesses of the management system.

•Take corrective or preventive measures if necessary.

4. Register your system

•Select the appropriate audit authority for external registration.

•Obtain your management system documentation for review so that it meets the standard.

•Prepare external auditors to ensure that the system requirements are met and the management system is implemented effectively.

Internal Competence and its benefits

The Cut the costs down in ISO certification process it is an added aid to have an internally competent employee. A competent employee shall reduce the risks of Starting down the wrong path or missing the critical requirement of the standard. An internal competence of the employees largely improves the way the standard is implemented and improves the effectiveness of the Management systems.

Direct and Indirect expenses getting ISO 13485 Certification

ISO certifications are an important strategic means of addressing your business to some of the issues of the day. Obtaining an ISO certificate requires time, money and effort, which allows your company to benefit from more sophisticated processes and controls and gives you additional customer confidence.

The cost of Certification varies depending on the size and complexity of your organization and internal processes.

The first is the cost of registration, which includes the audit and registration. The cost depends on the number of jobs, the number of jobs, the number of shifts, etc.

Second. There are development costs, including time spent documenting and implementing the system.

Third, there are costs associated with staff training to prepare the necessary documentation and plan and conduct an effective internal audit.

Initial costs and annual cost incurred for ISO 13485 Certification

The Initial costs incurred in Certification process shall be including the registration fees payed to the certification body and the costs of the two stage Certification audit.

The annual costs incurred for ISO certifications may include the costs of Surveillance audit, costs of training of the employees, cost of time in implementation and updating of management system.

Is it possible to cut down the costs of ISO 13485 certification?

Yes, it is possible to cut down the costs of ISO 13485 certification process

1. You can hire a consultant who shall guide you to the right path at the first time

2. You can train your internal employees to understand the requirements of the standard and conduct periodic internal audits

How ISO 13485 certification cost is realized?

•Lower Operational costs

•Reduced waste and increased efficiency

•Reduces likelihood of fines and prosecution

•Business with a motivated and engaged workforce are more likely to remain compliant and avoid penalties or fines.

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Yes, the ISO certifications are transferrable. Most of the organizations did not aware that the ISO certifications are transferrable. But, it is true and acceptable. Whatever the stage you are in, you can transfer your ISO certification from one certification body to another. The choice is always yours!

Not all certification bodies provide high-quality customer services. So, every organization is looking to transfer their certification to a different certification body which meets all their needs. In this article, we will let you know how the transfer process work and what are the standards that can be transferred from one certification body to another.

What is ISO certification?

To say it in simple words, ISO certification is a declaration of an organization to the customers, clients or stakeholders that its management system follows the practices in compliance with international standard’s requirements.

ISO certification enhances customer confidence in your products, processes and services. It creates lots of new business opportunities by promoting the reputation of your business.

Eligibility criteria

You can transfer the ISO certification from one certification body to another. But to transfer the ISO certification, it should comply with the following requirements.

• The current certification must be obtained from the IAF accredited ISO certification body.
• If you have not achieved from accredited certification, then you can’t able to transfer your certification.
• You are not allowed to transfer if your certification is expired.
• Also, you cannot transfer the current certification; the accreditation of your certification body is expired. Within 6 months, you should transfer to a new registrar. Otherwise, you will be considered as a new client.

Why one should transfer the ISO certificate?

There may be several reasons for an organization to change its certification body.

• Lack of quality in services
• Poor technical support and guidance
• Poor knowledge of auditors
• Lack of experience in the process
• To get better services, etc.

What are the transferrable standards?

All ISO standards are transferrable including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, etc. But the standards should be approved by the accredited certification bodies. The standards AS9100, IATF 16949 are also transferrable.  

Process to transfer ISO certification

No need to be worried! Transferring ISO certification from one certification body to another is a simple process. Here are the simple steps to transfer your certification to another certification body.

• Check the terms and conditions of your certification body whether they charge for the cancellation
• Send an application form to the new certification body
• If you have accepted their quotation, the process will start for transferring your certificate
• You need to submit the copy of your current certificate and latest audit reports for evaluation
• The new certification body will analyze your previous documents to verify whether there is any non-conformity.
• Finally, the new certificate will be issued by the new certification body

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Is it possible for an individual to get ISO 9001 certified? The answer is, no. A person cannot get an ISO 9001 certification. The certificate is issued for the organization or company which has met all the requirements for standardization and quality assurance. However, the individual can become certified as a lead auditor/internal auditor through high-level training.

In this article, we covered what is a lead auditor course, what is an internal auditor course, the need for awareness and implementation training, what is CQI-IRCA, the eligibility criteria, and how to obtain the certificate.

What is CQI-IRCA?

The full form of CQI-IRCA is Chartered Quality Institute and International Register of Certificated Auditors. IRCA is a globally recognized certification body for management system auditors. It provides approval for the certification to provide training against ISO management system standards. Moreover, it is a division of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI).

Getting trained and certified by an IRCA accredited certification body, you can apply and get your name registered in the CQI-IRCA register as a qualified lead auditor. It certifies and gives confidence to an individual to conduct a management system audit at any organization.

Why lead auditor training?

To get the completed idea of what is ISO 9001, about its clauses and the principles of the quality management system; it is a must for the individuals to get high-level training. ISO 9001 lead auditor training enables you to understand everything about the ISO standard, management system, its benefits as well as its importance. It boosts your confidence to plan, conduct and manage a third-party audit based on ISO 9001. This training lets you learn the auditing guidelines in compliance with ISO 19011. You can take an audit report, prepare corrective actions, and also help your clients with follow-up activities.

• Training duration:

This training is conducted for 5 days by experienced real-time auditors. At the end of each day, you will get to know more about the auditing skills and the roles and responsibilities of a lead auditor.

• Career opportunities:

By completing the ISO 9001 lead auditor training successfully, you can work as a QMS lead auditor at any organization. It gives you the skills to manage the auditing team of an organization. You can also become a tutor who can train the individuals against ISO 9001 quality management system.

The ISO QMS lead auditor training is a must for the individuals who want to become a certified ISO 9001 lead auditor. This training is a perfect aid for anyone who wishes to understand the requirements of ISO 9001 and about the quality management system.

How internal auditor training benefits an individual?

By taking the ISO 9001 internal auditor course, you can learn the basic requirements of the ISO 9001 standard and the principles of a quality management system. This training helps you can conduct a gap analysis in your organization. By performing the internal audit, you can prepare the audit report which helps find the flaws and improve your management system effectively.

• Training duration:

This training is conducted for 2 days by the IRCA certified lead auditors. This training gives you the courage to take the ISO lead auditor course.

What is awareness training?

Want to step into the auditing world? Then the awareness and foundation training course is the perfect key to it. These courses provide delegates the basic awareness to build their knowledge and skills in quality and auditing. These training courses are specifically proposed for individuals who are new to quality.

What are the pre-requisites to participate in the auditor training?

Any individual who is interested to learn and understand about the ISO 9001 standard, can take this training. But it is a must for them to have fundamental knowledge (what is ISO 9001 and why is it used) prior to the training.

How to choose a training body?

To get a high-level training, it is important for you to choose the right certification body which provides IRCA accredited training courses. This helps you become a certified ISO 9001 lead auditor. Some of the factors to check before selecting a training body are:

• IRCA accreditation
• IRCA certified real-time auditors – trainers/tutors
• Proven experience in providing QMS training
• Cost of the training course

At IAS, we provide training courses at a highly-discounted price.

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