Issue 71 – Staying ISO Registered, is it worth it?
ISO 9001:2015…
Staying ISO Registered, is it worth it?
Receiving emails with questions and/or comments from readers of this Newsletter is much appreciated… please continue to do so since it provides me with ideas on what these publications should cover. The topic I would like to discuss in this Newsletter is in regards to whether it is worthwhile to remain registered to the ISO 9001 Standard.
In my last Newsletter (ISO 9001:2015 Newsletter Issue 70) we discussed the topic of “trace audits”, now with the 3 year mark just passed on Sep 15th, we will discuss why some companies decided to upgrade to the new ISO 9001:2015 Standard and why other organizations have let their certificate expire.
Let’s start by focusing on those companies that made the effort to maintain their ISO 9001 Registration or Certification. Based on my experience in the marketplace, I would suggest that the main reason why many retained their ISO 9001 status was because of their Customers need (or perceived need) for their Suppliers to have it. The next most common reason would be that it was a corporate head-office decision to maintain it (or perhaps head-office never provided direction either way, so the Plant made the decision to keep it). In any event, a decision was made to go through the hurdles of renovating and upgrading their current QMS so that it would comply with the new requirements, prior to September 14, 2018. A number of these organizations viewed this strategy as having the least downside of possibly losing Customer accounts, in an always competitive marketplace.
I always encourage top management to pose the question to themselves as to why they continue to be ISO 9001 Registered, and they should ask this question at least once a year. Why?… because it’s important that top management see the value in this effort and to ensure that there are good reasons for maintaining it. Without this periodic self-check, the company will come complacent which sends the wrong message to everyone, especially those employees trying to maintain it.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that some organizations decided to upgrade to the new Standard because a QMS that is registered to ISO 9001 provides them with many tangible (and intangible) benefits with the internal operations of their business.
Now let’s take a look at those companies who decided that maintaining their ISO 9001 Registration/Certification wasn’t necessary. The most common reason I’ve heard happens to be the exact opposite of why the companies above kept it… because they did not believe their Customers cared one way or another. The other argument I’ve encountered is that even though they may no longer be ISO 9001 Registered does not mean they don’t have a QMS still in place and that “Quality” is still very important. On the surface, I don’t disagree, however no matter what words you tell yourself, what really matters is what your Customers will think when they are told that you are no longer ISO 9001 Registered. You really have no obligation to make any kind of announcement of about your decision to let your ISO 9001 Certificate expire (unless of course it is a stipulation within legal contracts with your Customers), nor will your ISO Registrar (Certification Body) publicize this fact. However, your Customers will soon find out because many of them send out Supplier surveys each year to update their records on who they purchase from, and many of those questionnaires specifically ask about your ISO 9001 status, and they ask you to forward them a copy of your current ISO 9001 Certificate. Also, be aware that there is another way that your Customers will find out and that’s because your competitors will tell them.
Either way, it is important that top management make a thoughtful, well researched, decision to end their ISO 9001 registration AND to prepare in advance what the response will be when their Customers discover this fact. The best approach is to discuss ISO 9001 with each of your Customers and find out from them what requirements they have regarding it. Find out what you will need to provide to your Customer if you are not ISO 9001 Registered. If after meeting with your Customers to discuss this matter you reach the conclusion that your organization does not need to maintain the ISO 9001 Certificate then the decision is clear, and the the risk to sales revenue (if any) will be known.
Unfortunately, one side-effect of dropping ISO 9001 Registration is that if your quality management system wasn’t strong to begin with, then it may suffer further deterioration as time goes on. You will need to keep a watchful eye on those “quality” indicators that you track, to make sure they don’t start going south. Maintaining a strong internal auditing process is one good way to keep your QMS functioning effectively, and the internal audit report could be used to demonstrate to your Customers that you still take “quality” seriously.
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!