ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for Quality
Management Systems (QMS). It sets out
the criteria for a quality management system, providing a set of principles and
a framework to allow an organisation to satisfy customers and other stakeholder
consistently. There are seven key
principles which provide the basis for implementing and maintaining effective
processes through continuous quality management. It is the most widely used QMS standard in
the world, with over 1.1 million certificates issued to organisations in 178
countries.*as stated by the ISO
organisation 2015
There are seven basic principles which relate to the ISO quality
management standards:
2 Leadership
3 Engagement of People
4 Process approach
5 Improvement
6 Evidence-based decision making
7 Relationship management
Whether a large or small organisation, these principles help ensure
customer satisfaction through consistently providing a good service and
product, and brings many business benefits too, like reduced operating costs.
What
are the benefits?
There are many benefits for implementing the ISO 9001 quality standard,
both for the customer and the organisation.
The ISO principle of Customer Focus states that it is a requirement to
meet, and strive to exceed the customer requirements and expectations. For the customer this means that they are
getting satisfaction, and for business this is likely to improve the customer
relationship, increasing customer loyalty and enhancing the business profile.
The relationship management principle focuses on managing its
relationships with all interested parties.
This includes customers, suppliers and employees among others. Engaging and understanding the needs and
wants of the interested parties helps enhance organisational performance.
ISO 9001 is a continuous process, and requires all involved to be
engaged and invested in achieving the quality standards. Leaders play an important part in creating
conditions which allow the organisation to achieve the objectives, and engaged
employees help to deliver them, whether through creating cost effective
processes, helping to reduce operating costs, or in customer service. All areas of the business are touched by the
principles, from the accounts to the manufacturing department, all are involved
in the ongoing improvement of the organisation.
For more information about the principles, the benefits and how they can
be implemented, click here for the ISO produced Quality Management
Principles PDF document.
Freddy Products ISO 9001 certificate |
Our
quality policy statement
The Company policy
is to supply quality products and to offer best practice industry standards in
terms of availability and delivery to its customers.
The company recognises
that the involvement and co-operation of all employees in the quality concept
is an essential part of achieving the required standards and it is the function
of all levels of management to foster and promote this attitude.
The company is
dedicated to continuous improvement through established and on-going
objectives, set and constantly reviewed by the management…..
(Extract from
Freddy Products Ltd Quality manual)
We believe that by implementing ISO 9001, and through continuously
reviewing and improving our processes, we have improved our customer
satisfaction. We ask customers for feedback on a regular basis to ensure we are
exceeding expectations. Our operating
costs have reduced in key areas, and by engaging with employees and discussing
how we can go forward and improve our performance, we are seeing consistent
growth and development. This In turn has
helped to increase our business base, and improve our stakeholder
relationships, as well as being able to say we have achieved, and are compliant
with a globally recognised industry standard!
References:
*ISO
organisation. ISO 9000 - Quality management
[online] Available from: http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_9000 [accessed
18.09.2015]