Establishing goals for quality and efficiency is a foundational element of managing any business, but determining successful processes is often a subjective concept. ISO 9001:2015 helps companies across industries adopt internationally recognized standards for maximum efficacy.
What Is the ISO?
The International Organization for Standards (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental association that coordinates 164 national standards bodies into a single entity. The standards set forth by the ISO are entirely voluntary and census-based, and their application is not limited to any specific industry. The ISO website notes, “International Standards make things work. They give world-class specifications for products, services, and systems to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency. They are instrumental in facilitating international trade.”
What Is the ISO 9000 Series?
As it contains over 22,000 standards, the ISO is organized into many subsections, or series, for more straightforward navigation. The ISO 9000 series refers to those standards that are focused on quality management and assurance, which means they identify the elements necessary for the maintenance of quality processes. ISO 9000 standards include requirements for quality management systems, standardized terminology, and sustained improvement, as well as guidelines for auditing. Businesses rely on the ISO 9000 series for the following:
- Establishing international standards of quality
- Customer satisfaction
- Continual improvement
- Meeting regulatory requirements
What Is ISO 9001:2015 Certification?
ISO 9001 is a particular standard within the group of ISO 9000 series standards that refers to specifications for a quality management system (QMS). It is the only standard in the series in which businesses can be certified. Any company can strive and claim to be ISO 9001 compliant without being certified. Companies can develop a system and believe that it meets all the requirements of the standard.
However, to be certified, a company must engage with an accredited third-party registrar who will come in and certify it by auditing the company for adherence to both the ISO’s standard requirements and the company’s internal documented quality management system. Then, a formal certificate is presented to the company for display, and periodic audits are required to ensure continued certification.
ISO 9001:2015 refers to the most up-to-date version of the standard, which was introduced in September 2015. As of September 2018, all businesses that are ISO 9001 Certified are expected to have transitioned from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015.
At Transcontinental Advanced Coatings, we take pride in being an ISO 9001:2015 Certified company. We maintain our certification by demonstrating continued excellence in providing quality coatings for an extensive range of industries on a global scale. Contact us online for more information about our comprehensive product lines.