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When Might A Business Need Quality Management Certification?

Companies of all shapes, sizes and scales have expressed an interest in receiving ISO certification, even though it is not a strict business need per se to do so.

There are a lot of benefits to organising your business and running under ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards and practices, but whilst being certified by an accredited company brings with it a wide range of benefits, there is no regulatory or legal requirement to do so.

However, there might be some occasions where an ISO 9001 certificate becomes an effective necessity due to business requirements, rather than a system that allows a company to opt-in to more long-term benefits.

A Prerequisite To Close A Deal

One of the main reasons why companies are interested in ISO 9001, particularly if they want to get certified quickly, is because they need it to meet the prerequisite of a company or government tender.

Many larger businesses who work with a network of smaller suppliers have prerequisites before they allow a business to work with them, and whilst this will naturally vary by market sector and particular need, one of the most common requirements is ISO 9001 certification.

Many government agencies have replaced bespoke standards with one based on ISO 9001 because it allows for a more streamlined approach to tenders and enables these companies to focus on the more specific aspects of a tender application.

Getting certified, therefore, becomes a requirement for many businesses that work closely with government agencies.

This may be the catalyst for getting certified, but it is also an opportunity to make sustained, effective and long-term changes to the business that provides far more than an immediate gain.

Open For International Business

When working with international clients, there is a need for a universal language mutually understood by both parties, which in many cases involves the use of mutually understood and referenced standards.

One of the biggest benefits of ISO standards in general, but particularly ISO 9001, is that they are universal; to date, 167 countries have national ISO members, which means that the standard is understood and recognised practically anywhere you might do business.

This makes an ISO 9001 certificate an effective requirement when doing business overseas, as it means that a company knows that your business is focused on quality management in a way that is universally understood and can therefore focus on what your company brings to the table.

Get The Best Employees

Typically, when businesses talk about ISO 9001 as a requirement, they are generally referring to the needs of customers. However, it can also be an important tool for improving recruitment, with the right candidates knowing how the quality management standard can help them personally and professionally.

One of the key requirements of ISO 9001 concerns employee management and job expectations.

Having a clear set of quality objectives, procedures, instructions and process metrics allows for a culture of constant feedback and improvement, with an emphasis on constantly learning and developing.

Many employees who would be perfect for your corporate culture will see the standard as one that prioritises them and how they can contribute to the goals of the organisation.


Find out more…

If you would like to find out more about Quality Management Systems and how implementing them could benefit your business, the ISO 9001 standard, or any of the other services we offer here at ISO-Cert Online, please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

ISO certification
Article, News

What Was the First ISO Standard?

When most businesses think of ISO certification, they are generally thinking of just a handful of circa 25,000 standards that are covered by the International Organisation for Standardisation, (or ISO), by far the most common of which is ISO 9001.

The primary reason for this is that ISO 9001 (which was itself developed from the original British Standard; BS 5750) is a quality management standard that is recognised around the world, and is both a tool to help continually improve performance, and serve as a signpost to potential customers that the aim of the business is to do it right first time (i.e. efficiency is built-in). 

However, there are a lot more standards besides this and to understand the priorities of ISO 9001 and how it has become the global arbiter for standardisation itself, it is worth exploring the very first standard recognised and certified by ISO.

Global Standardisation

The first challenge for the International Organisation for Standardisation is standardising itself for all countries.

In every country, the short form of the organisation’s name is ISO, even though none of the organisation’s three official languages have an acronym that fits.

In English, it is IOS as seen above, in French, it is OIN (Organisation International de Normalisation) and in Russian, it is MOS (Mezhdunarodnaya Organizatsiya po Standartizatsii).

Officially, the organisation explains the name as a derivation of the word “isos” which in Greek means “equal”, although there are no contemporary accounts of this being the inspiration during the organisation’s founding meetings in October 1946.

Regardless, ISO was the collective name chosen and has remained the same ever since.

The first published standard would arise five years later.

The First ISO Standard

The very first standard established was ISO 1, although due to the fact that ISO described their standards as “Recommendations” at the time, it was issued first as ISO/R 1.

Compared to ISO 9001:2015, which includes numerous pages and many different requirements, ISO 1 consists of a single measurement: 20 degrees Celsius.

This temperature, which equals 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 293.15 Kelvin, is used as a standard reference temperature when making dimensional measurements.

Despite being so simple, this is an important point when it comes to standardisation of the precise dimensions of products, parts and components, because of the effects of thermal expansion.

Most materials change size and shape depending on their heat and the ambient temperature around them, so comparing the measurements of different components that are supposedly compatible but are made in different environments means that they may not be entirely compatible.

This concept was already known, and before 1951 three temperature points (zero degrees Celsius/32 degrees Fahrenheit, 16.6667 degrees Celsius/62 degrees Fahrenheit and 25 degrees Celsius/77 degrees Fahrenheit) were all used, but none of them were ideal standards that were easy or comfortable to work in.

By contrast, ISO 1 was an easy round number, it was close to room temperature in many countries, it was a whole number in both Celsius and Fahrenheit and it was easy to attain or work in, allowing for more workshops to use it.

Whilst a relatively simple ISO standard now, ISO 1 highlights the principles at the core of the standardisation process and helps foster a greater understanding of why ISO 9001 is the way it is.

Help and More Information

For more information on this and to find out how ISO-Cert Online can help you achieve your business standardisation goals, please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net

Tender
News

ISO-Cert Online Partner with We Write Tenders

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ISO-Cert Online Ltd is proud to announce that in response to the high demand for ISO certification for tendering purposes, it has teamed up with the established and highly respected organisation We Write Tenders.

This exciting (and logical) development should give both companies the resources needed to take customers who are looking to bid for work through an efficient and seamless route, thereby potentially increasing revenue.

LOGO wwt small boosted

What can We Write Tenders offer you?

We Write Tenders are able to offer:

  • Customised bid writing to suit your unique needs
  • Opportunity finding for businesses that want to accelerate their growth
  • Personalised attention, providing the highest levels of customer services
  • Customised masterclass that empowers your internal team with the skills and knowledge they need to excel

Find out more…

For more information on ISO-Cert Online Ltd’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

ISO-Update
News

Changes to ISO Standards

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In response to the rising concerns regarding climate change, the International Standards Organisation (ISO) has taken a major step forward to make it a key consideration for certified companies.

The Affected Standards

The ISO standards affected by these updates include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 27001:2022, ISO 45001:2015 ISO 22301:2019, and ISO 50001:2018.

The Updates

To boost organisational awareness and continual improvement to climate change, ISO has introduced two key changes within Clause 4:

Original Clause: 4.1: “Understanding the organisation and its context. The organisation shall determine external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and that affect its ability to achieve the intended result(s) of its management system.”

This clause now includes the statement: “The organisation shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.

Original Clause: 4.2: Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties. The organisation shall determine: 
  •    The interested parties that are relevant to the management system. 
  •    The relevant requirements of these interested parties. 
  •    Which of these requirements will be addressed through the management system.”

This clause now includes the statement: “Note: Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.”

What Does This Mean for Your Business

If the organisation already holds certification to one of these standards, they will not need a new certificate issued and there is no need to transition to a new version of the standard. The focus is on enhancing the scope and effectiveness of existing certifications to encompass climate change considerations.

However, the organisation is now required to ensure that climate change considerations are embedded within the fabric of their management system(s).

The approach acknowledges that the relevance and impact of climate change can vary significantly across different industries, organisational scopes, and geographical locations. Therefore, the business must determine whether climate change is relevant or not and if so, they will need to ensure that climate change aspects and risks are considered within their management system(s). 


Find out more…

If you would like to find out more about the upcoming changes to the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards, making sure that your business is prepared for them, or any other service we offer here at ISO-Cert Online, please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

Shrewsbury Juniors U10 Girls football team wearing their new training kit sponsored by ISO-Cert Online Ltd
Community, News

New training kit sponsorship to support grassroots football

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ISO-Cert Online Ltd is proud to announce a new training kit sponsorship deal, to support a local grassroots football team.

Shrewsbury Juniors U10 Girls plays in the Shropshire Girls’ Football League. Its home is Shrewsbury Juniors Football Club, which dates back to 1977. Boasting over 25 teams, it provides grassroots football opportunities for the people of Shrewsbury and beyond. Likewise, it encourages children of all ages to join in.

Nationally, women’s and girls’ football has seen a lift in interest over the last few years, following the success of the England team in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro championships.

“Youth football plays a valuable role in building confidence, self-esteem as well as the development of important life skills. But the nights drawing in and temperatures dropping can be a deterrent for the players to keep up their attendance. With this training kit sponsorship, we are delighted to have contributed to ensuring that the players have a smart kit that’s warm and dry. This will help them to continue enjoying their practice sessions and for the club to develop talent for the future.

“We wish the players and the management team the best of luck this season. We’ll be supporting you all the way and following your progress!”

Steve Weaver, Director at ISO-Cert Online Ltd


For more information on ISO-Cert Online Ltd’s services or to discuss your ISO requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

UPDATE
News, Update

Update on the extension of CE mark recognition for businesses

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Manufacturers across the UK will be pleased with the latest update on the extension of CE mark recognition for businesses. The UK government has confirmed that British firms will be able to continue the use of CE marking alongside UKCA indefinitely.

These updates apply to the 18 regulations that fall under the Department for Business and Trade. These are:

  • toys
  • pyrotechnics
  • recreational craft and personal watercraft
  • simple pressure vessels
  • electromagnetic compatibility
  • non-automatic weighing instruments
  • measuring instruments
  • measuring container bottles
  • lifts
  • equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
  • radio equipment
  • pressure equipment
  • personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • gas appliances
  • machinery
  • equipment for use outdoors
  • aerosols
  • low voltage electrical equipment

What should you do?

For now, you don’t need to do anything. Information is available on the government website. But, rest assured, we will update our clients on any further developments concerning CE and UKCA marking.

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

UPDATE
News, Update

Update on revisions to ISO 9001:2015

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Do you hold, or are you thinking of seeking, ISO 9001 certification? If so, you’ll want to know about the results of a recent meeting of the ISO/TC 176/SC 2. The ISO subcommittee for Quality Systems convened for a ballot about an update on revisions to ISO 9001:2015.

The much-anticipated vote determined whether or not a revision of the ISO 9001 standard should go ahead sooner rather than later. Although the next scheduled review is not until 2026, the committee voted to start a revision now.

What are the next steps?

The comforting news is that any changes won’t happen quickly, despite this decision. Before any changes can take place:

  • A working group to manage the project will need to be established.
  • The draft design specification will be circulated to all members of the subcommittee for comments. The working group will discuss these in due course.

What should you do?

For now, you don’t need to do anything. Even when the revisions to ISO 9001:2015 are introduced, you won’t have to adopt it straightaway. Once it is rolled out, we expect that certified organisations will have up to three years to switch. At least, that was grace period available after the last update (from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015). This would seem a reasonable transition period in advance of the current version becoming obsolete.

Rest assured, we will update our ISO certified clients on any further developments which will affect your ISO 9001 certification.

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

Cyber Essentials logo
Accreditations, News

ISO-Cert Online Ltd achieves Cyber Essentials certification

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ISO-Cert Online Ltd, a trusted provider of ISO standard certification to SMEs in the UK and abroad, is proud to have achieved a new certificate of its own, having been award Cyber Essentials certification.

Online fraud continues to blight businesses and individuals. Additionally it has never been more sophisticated or damaging. This government-backed and industry-supported scheme helps organisations protect themselves against common online threats.

The Cyber Essentials audit includes a series of independent assessments of the company’s processes and procedures. These relate to firewalls, secure configuration, user access control, malware protection and security update management.

Just as ISO certification reflects a business’ commitment to managing and improving elements of its operations, this endorsement gives clients peace of mind in ISO-Cert Online Ltd’s own dedication to cyber security and protecting their data.

“By achieving the Cyber Essentials certification, we aim to provide reassurance to our clients and suppliers that they can have confidence that we “practise what we preach” in terms of managing sensitive information in a responsible and secure manner.”

Steve Weaver, Director at ISO-Cert Online Ltd

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

A street scene featuring an A-board saying WARM ROOM, with an arrow pointing to a building.
Community, News

ISO-Cert Online Ltd supports local warm space‘s success

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As the cost-of-living crisis tightens its grip all over the country, with many concerned about funding life’s essentials, a team of community-minded friends in Montgomery have set up a warm space for residents to enjoy. And local business ISO-Cert Online Ltd was keen to offer support.

The warm space is held every Monday and Thursday from 9.30am – 4pm at The Montgomery Institute, providing an inclusive and welcoming hub for people to enjoy warmth, food, good company and even Wi-Fi for those who would like to bring their laptop and work in a friendly environment.

Since the initiative started It’s been heart-warming to see the community come together to make a positive difference to local residents. Contributions have included financial donations, as well as plenty of freshly grown fruit and vegetables and home-baked goodies. Furthermore, the sessions made available to residents have been well attended and are proving extremely popular.

“Montgomery is well-known for its community spirit. As a local business, when we heard about the new warm space, we thought it was a great initiative for anyone who would like a warm drink or meal, or a good chat to combat loneliness without worrying about energy costs. We are delighted to be involved and hope that our financial donation contributes towards the winter warmer group’s future goals.”

Claire Howard, Director at ISO-Cert Online Ltd

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

A desk setup, featuring a keyboard, some pens, a plant, a cup of coffee and a hand holding a mobile phone
News, Staff

ISO-Cert Online Ltd appoints new Head of Marketing

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ISO-Cert Online Ltd is delighted to announce that Nicky Gascoigne has joined the company in the brand-new position of Head of Marketing.

Nicky has spent the majority of her 20+ year career in financial and professional services, most recently Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and Markel International. She brings particular expertise in digital marketing, customer engagement and project delivery.

In her new role, she will be leading the marketing strategy across the business, including ISO certification, consultancy and training solutions.

Nicky commented: “I am so pleased to join such a dynamic and forward-thinking company. As businesses continue to embrace technology and digital operations, ISO-Cert Online has shown itself to offer exactly what they need to become more efficient, productive and successful.”

“Nicky’s appointment is an exciting development for the business. We have ambitious plans and I’m confident that her impressive blend of skills and experience will be invaluable in strengthening the organisation.”

Claire Howard, Director at ISO-Cert Online Ltd

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

Photo of SAHA FC’s Under-9s girls' team at a training session
Community, News

ISO-Cert Online Ltd announces training kit sponsorship

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ISO-Cert Online Ltd is backing girls’ grassroots football by sponsoring the training kit of a local team.

SAHA Panthers Under-9s Girls’ team, based in Shrewsbury, has nearly 20 players. Women’s and girls’ football has been growing in popularity for a number of years but has attracted a recent surge in interest following the success of the England team in the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro championship.

“As a local business, with an office in Montgomery, Powys, we look for ways to give back to the community. My granddaughter plays in the Under-9s team and it offers girls a great opportunity to learn about teamwork, keep fit and grow their confidence. Our sponsorship provides warm, new training kit which will ensure that the players continue to take part, whatever the weather.

We wish them well for the rest of the season and look forward to a long partnership with the team.”

Steve Weaver, Director at ISO-Cert Online Ltd

Ben Weaver, the team’s Manager said, “Funding local teams can be a challenge. Sponsorships such as this from ISO-Cert Online give clubs like ours a real boost and help us to develop talent for the future.”

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

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