Importance of ISO Certifications

There needs to be checks and balances in the global markets to maintain quality and consistency across industries. ISO is one of the international standardization industries geared towards keeping a level playing field to all industry players globally. So, what does ISO certification do? It certifies management systems, service and documentation procedures, manufacturing processes, and other requirements for quality assurance and standardization. ISO is an independent organization that develops standards and guidelines for quality assurance, safety, the efficiency of services and systems.

ISO certifications cover a wider industry area, from energy to medical services. ISO standards were put in place to ensure consistency in quality, where each certification comes with separate standardization criteria and is classified numerically. For example, ISO 9001:2015.

The definition of ISO 9001

In the example mentioned above, there are three distinct components to reckon; i.e ISO, 9001, and the year component 2015. Let’s look at each component in detail:

ISO: It is referred to as an international standardization organization, where standards are developed for certifying businesses and organizations when they meet a certain quality threshold in providing goods or service delivery. These certifications are handled by third parties and are tested annually to ensure consistency.

9001: This is a standard classification that falls under 9000 family standards. 9001 falls among the best-known quality standards that define principles of management. It emphasizes efficiency and customer satisfaction.

2015: it is the final number and refers to versions of standards being met and is represented by the calendar year when they were launched. For example, 2015 refers to ISO’s fifth edition launched in 2015.

So, what does it mean to be ISO 9001 certified? In essence, it means the organization in question has met the minimum requirements under ISO 9001 that require organizations and businesses to follow a certain quality management system. While also requiring them to identify areas of improvement in their processes and take action towards achieving those improvements. It is therefore common knowledge that a business or organization that is ISO 9001 certified has products and services that meet the quality threshold as defined by the ISO, an international non-governmental organization.

ISO certification gives a layout that businesses and organizations need to follow every year in every order. It also helps keep products and services relevant in the market because standards change in tandem with the changes in the industry.

Every business or organization planning to comply with ISO standards ought to look for updated annual standards from ISO. However, there are third parties that summarize and simplify these standards to help enlighten people in the industry understand. Between 2008 and 2015, there were major changes, i.e, there could be more clauses in the latest and up to date version, there could be different structures, terminologies used, different process approaches, it could ask different industry players to keep more focus on inputs and outputs, risk analysis, look at the context of each organization and how each standard is subjected, focus on leadership and commitments plus, better integration with other ISO standard.

It is categorical that individuals cannot earn these certifications but businesses and organizations do. And it is important to note that ISO does not certify. Through Australian provider of ISO certification services, businesses and organizations get certifications but follow ISO standards and guidelines.