Issue 117 – Should I use the ISO logo?
ISO 9001:2015…
Should I use the ISO logo?
I appreciate receiving emails with questions and/or comments from readers of this Newsletter… please continue to do so since it provides me with direction on where to aim the content of these publications. In my last Newsletter (ISO 9001:2015 Newsletter Issue 116) we discussed the topic of “Auditor notes, handwritten or use a laptop?”, and now in this Newsletter we will discuss “Should I use the ISO logo?”.
The ISO 9001:2015 Element numbering…
Element 4 – Context of the organization
Element 5 – Leadership
Element 6 – Planning
Element 7 – Support
Element 8 – Operation
Element 9 – Performance evaluation
Element 10 – Improvement
Should I use the ISO logo?… This question was emailed to me from my Client since they were not sure if there were any rules on the use of an ISO logo on their website. First of all, there is absolutely no “shall” requirement within the ISO 9001:2015 Standard requiring organizations to make use of any ISO logo, or any other method of communicating that you are ISO Certified or Registered.
Secondly, as clearly stated on their website (iso.org), their ISO logo is a registered trademark and that it’s use is prohibited. They also indicate that if an organization wishes to use a logo to demonstrate certification then they should contact the ISO certification body that issued their certificate. Based on the experiences that my Clients have had, as well as the lengthy discussions with External Auditors on the use of ISO logos, I suggest that unless there is a very strong “marketing need” to use an ISO logo, I’d simply recommend not doing so because of all the problems it can cause.
If your organization decides to use an ISO logo I would recommend designing your own version or using a generic version that is publicly available (no trademarks or copyrights)… and I would NOT use the year the Standard was issued… in other words, say “Our Quality Management System is ISO 9001 Registered”… NOT… “Our Quality Management System is ISO 9001:2015 Registered”.
Be sure to watch for our next Newsletter issue where I will be answering some of the questions that I get from Readers of my Newsletters about how to implement the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 in a specific and practical way, that will also help improve business performance…
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Need Help?
ISO 9001:2015 Internal Audit Outsourcing (we can do it for you OR with you!)
For cost effectiveness, the Internal Audit function can be outsourced to an external experienced auditor on a periodic basis. This will provide an independent and objective assessment to management, of where process issues may exist, along with identifying opportunities for improvement. It will also provide the evidence needed to satisfy the Internal Audit requirements in the ISO Standards. We have used two different approaches with this service: a) We conduct the entire audit ourselves, or b) We act as the lead auditor, and along with your Team of internal auditors, we complete the entire audit together. This latter approach allows your people to receive guidance and direction from an experienced lead auditor while at the same time maintaining significant involvement in the internal audit process.
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Internal Process Auditor Training for ISO 9001:2015
The two (2) day Internal Process Auditing for ISO 9001:2015 Training Session is focused on a process approach to auditing with the objective being not only to assess conformance of the quality management system, but also to uncover process improvements during an audit. This goes hand in hand with the process auditing requirements found within ISO 19011 and the process approach covered in ISO 9001:2015, which promotes continual process improvement throughout this Standard. An enhanced checklist is developed, and there will be workshops throughout, to reinforce learning, as well as a live, practice audit. If you are looking to meet the ISO 9001:2015 internal audit requirements and to “raise the bar” for your internal audit program then this is the course you should consider.
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Until next time…
Tim Renaud
Helping Business Professionals Reduce Risk and Remove Waste!