ISO 9001 : 2008 - Quality management system

ISO 9001 : 2008 is the International Standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). The standard was formerly known as ISO 9001 : 2000, but was updated in 2008. It has been implemented by over a million organizations in 176 countires.

The ISO 9001 standard provides your organization with a set of standardised requirements that prove internationally that you promote good quality management practices. Regardless of your organizations activities, size or whether you are public or private sector, the standard helps to consistently achieve customer satisfaction.

For an in-depth explanation of what ISO 9001 is please click here

A satisified customer is someone that will buy from you again. In order to keep your customers satisified you must constently strive to meet their requirements. The ISO 9001 : 2008 standard provides your organization with a comprehensive framework that is tried and tested, which allows you to take a systematic approach to consistently produce products and services that satisfies your customers expectations.

Any organization of any size can benefit from implementing ISO 9001 : 2008. The requirements of the standard are set out by 8 management principles:

• Customer focus
• Leadership
• The involvement of people
• A process approach
• A systematic approach to management
• Continuous improvement
• A factual approach to decision making
• Mutually beneficial supplier relations

• There is a common, understood system of consistent and repeatable processes.
• Lower production costs - fewer nonconforming products, less rework, lowered rejection rates, streamlined processes and fewer mistakes.
• Reduced operating costs - through continual improvement of processes and resulting operational efficiencies.
• Customer satisfaction - through delivery of products that consistently meet customer requirements.
• Ensure legal compliance - by understanding how statutory and regulatory requirements impact on the organization.
• You know more quickly if things are going wrong, and where.
• Improved risk management - through greater consistency and traceability of products and services.
• Proven business credentials - through independent verification against recognized standards.
• Ability to win more business - particularly when your customers procurement deptartment require certification as a condition to supply to them.
• Many organizations are asked by a customer to obtain registration as a requirement to continue or to start doing business with them.

Batalas has assisted over 3,500 organisations to gain an internationally recognised ISO 9001 management systems certificate. We will help you to implement your system, train your staff and help you select a certification body which will add real value to your organisation.

How do I implement ISO 9001 : 2008?

There are 3 main ways in which you could implement the standard:

• Implementation Workshops - a 1 day implementation workshop conducting at your office, covering topics such as quality terminology, the requirements of ISO 9001, implementation tasks and the key do's and don'ts. For full details on this workshop click here.

• Small Business Scheme - this is a scheme setup by Batalas to help Small Businesses gain registration. If you employ less than 15 staff and want to implement ISO 9001 yourself, we offer a series of 6 bespoke workshops, at each session we provide everything you need to establish your Quality Management System. The workshops are conducting in Manchester, Birmingham and Southampton approx every 6 months. For more information click here.

• Batalas on-site implementation support - if you are lost and need someone to hold your hand all the way through the certification process, Batalas can offer on-site support using our specialist consultants. We will conduct a Gap Analysis of your current system, help you design a management system that fits your organization , guide you through the process of implementing the system and conduct a Pre-Assessment Audit ready for the certification audit. Click here for our simple guide - Batalas Route to Certification.