Below is an excerpt from our e-book “ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 - The Ultimate Guide”. Download the full e-book for free here.
In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the most important concepts you need to know as well as the three ISO standards that we focus on in this e-book:
- ISO 9001 for quality management
- ISO 14001 for environmental management
- ISO 45001 for work environment management
What is certification?
A standard is, in short, a collection of knowledge in a specific field that is locally or internationally recognized.
A certification against a standard means that you can present proof (certificate) that you comply with a particular ISO standard. This certificate is issued by an independent certification body after an external auditor has reviewed the business.
An external auditor is a qualified individual from a certification body who is not employed by the company to be certified or those who established the management system. Their task is to audit the company's management system for compliance with specific ISO standards. They check, among other things, whether the company has implemented all the necessary processes and controls to ensure quality, safety, environmental impact, etc., depending on the standard in question.
A certification body is an independent organization that issues certificates to companies after conducting an audit. For example, AmpliFlow differs from these in that we help companies with everything from training to process design, documentation, implementation of IT tools and internal audits before the external audit. We are a support throughout the process, from idea to certification - but we do not carry out the final piece of the puzzle - the issuance of the certificate. With the help of experts like us and our IT tools, it will be easier to achieve and maintain certification while ensuring the highest possible quality of your work compared to carrying out the entire work yourself.
Often we think of ISO directly when we hear the word standard. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an independent, non-governmental
international organization that brings together experts to develop global standards.
Standards
The list of standards you can certify a management system within can be made long and ISO is
not the only ones that give out standards, there are many more and choosing the right standard from the right body can be dicey.
For example, ISO 9001 is a quality management standard that emphasizes customer focus and provides
a common language for working together as a team, while ISO 14001 is a
standards for environmental management.
In order to enable an auditor to assess different companies in different industries,
the knowledge of a standard is transformed into a number of requirements that the external auditor can see if
your management system (and you as a company) are compliant or not - no matter what type you are
organization.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system. It is a guide developed to help companies and organizations ensure that they meet the needs of customers as well as other stakeholders, while complying with laws and regulations that apply to the product or service.
What does that imply?
The implementation of ISO 9001 in your organization means that you engage in a systematic approach to the management of the business. At the heart of this standard is a strong customer orientation, which means that your entire business should focus on meeting customer needs and expectations.
The 7 Principles of Management
The ISO 9001 standard is based on seven management principles, which form the basis of an effective quality management system. These principles include customer focus, leadership, employee engagement, process orientation, continuous improvement, fact-based decision-making processes, and good relationships with suppliers.
Application
By applying these principles, you can create a work culture where everyone in the organization strives for the same goal — higher quality and greater customer satisfaction. This can lead to increased competitiveness as well as a strengthened brand.
Continuous improvement
Remember that ISO 9001 is not just about having effective processes and procedures in place. It is also about continuous improvement. This means that you should constantly look for ways to make what you do even better — whether it's how you develop your products or services, or how you manage internal processes.
Process orientation
The process orientation within ISO 9001 also means that all parts of the organization are seen as interconnected parts in a whole. Through this approach, organizational problems can be identified more quickly and addressed more effectively.
All of this contributes to the overall success of your organization. ISO 9001 gives you the tools to run your business in a more structured and efficient way - always focusing on higher quality and greater customer satisfaction.
What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 is a standard for environmental management systems. It provides a practical framework for planning, implementing and monitoring environmental management in your business.
What does that imply?
Its purpose is to help organizations identify, manage and control environmental impacts. “Environmental impact” means those components of your business, products or services that may affect the environment. This can be emissions into the atmosphere, pollution of water or the use of natural resources.
The process
The process includes the identification of relevant legal requirements, assessment of the current performance of the business against those requirements, the establishment of objectives and action plans, and the implementation and monitoring of measures.
Advantages
By implementing ISO 14001, your organization can benefit from several benefits. First, it facilitates the creation of a systematic approach to managing and reducing negative environmental impacts. By establishing responsibilities and goals, you get a clear picture of what needs to be done to achieve these goals, and through regular monitoring and measurement, you can ensure that your efforts produce the desired results.
Second, the standard contributes to legal compliance. ISO 14001 requires you to have a process in place to identify relevant legal requirements as well as other mandatory requirements relating to your environmental impact aspects. This includes not only legal requirements but also those of stakeholders such as customers or the local community.
Third, ISO 14001 can strengthen the brand of your organization and build trust with stakeholders. By demonstrating a commitment to environmental issues, you strengthen your position in the market while meeting growing demands from customers, authorities and society at large in terms of sustainability.
The effect
It is worth noting that success does not come immediately — the introduction of new processes and the change of behaviors within the organization takes time. But over time, progress will be noticeable — cost-effectiveness is increased through more efficient use of resources, the risk of legal problems is reduced through better compliance, and your reputation among stakeholders is increased thanks to your clear commitment to the environment.
What is ISO 45001?
ISO 45001 is a standard that provides guidelines for creating, implementing and maintaining an effective OSH management system. It aims to help organizations create a safe and healthy work environment for their employees, while helping to meet regulatory requirements.
Requirements
The standard contains requirements to identify, manage and continuously improve the safety of the work environment. This includes everything from assessing risks and opportunities, to establishing operational processes and control measures. When you use ISO 45001 in your organization, you will constantly strive to reduce work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses.
Management's commitment
ISO 45001 requires a strong commitment from management. You, as a leader, are responsible for the safety and health of workers in the workplace. Through proactive engagement, you can foster a strong culture of security in your organization.
Continuous Improvement
Another important aspect of ISO 45001 is its focus on continuous improvement. The standard requires you to regularly review your OSH management systems and processes, with the goal of constantly improving them. Not only will this contribute to a safer workplace, it can also lead to increased productivity.
More than laws
Working with ISO 45001 means more than just meeting legal requirements. It is a strategic tool that can help your organization achieve success through optimal health and safety in the workplace.
The effect
ISO 45001 requires organizations to identify and manage potential risks in the workplace, establish measurable work environment goals, and develop plans to achieve them. This shall be supported by operational processes for both routine and non-routine activities. The standard emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement through regular monitoring and review of the OSH management system, as well as measures in the event of deviations and incidents. All this should be documented correctly. In addition, employee participation is critical, with consultation in the design of policies and plans, participation in risk assessments and decision-making processes, and participation in the implementation of changes.
Above is an excerpt from our e-book “ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 - The Ultimate Guide”. Download the full e-book for free here.
