The simple answer to this question is that ISO QMS(Quality Management System) Certifications are internationally-recognised standards which ensure that an organisation, of any size, can be relied upon for quality. The most prominent of these certifications is ISO 9001, which is designed to facilitate business growth and innovation. It does this by:
· Encouraging ongoing improvement of service offerings, streamlining of operations and cost reduction
· Helping to win business over competitors and placing higher in the tendering process
· Instilling customer satisfaction and confidence
· Building resilience and sustainability into your business model
· Demonstrating competence in corporate governance
· Working effectively with stakeholders and your supply chain
However, the main advantage to ISO 9001 over other QMS Certifications is that it is currently the most widely used, with over a million organisations having adopted it globally. In a sense, this makes ISO 9001 the QMS standard for both client and peer review, which is recognised internationally and can therefore bolster your business’s reputation.
In terms of supply chain management and logistics, an ISO QMS certification is a good way of helping to maintain quality across your entire business and identifying areas which might benefit from a change in prioritisation or the reallocation of resources. In other words, QMS certifications promote improvement as well as just recognition of existing quality.
There have been five versions of ISO since 1987, with the most recent in 2015. It consists of 161 standards bodies and around 776 technical committees and subcommittees. The crux of whether an organisation adheres to these rigid structures is based on what is known as the ‘Seven Quality Principles’. These are:
Customer Focus
This refers to the notion of ‘exceeding customer expectations’ and ensuring that your organisation provides satisfaction and value with every customer interaction. To achieve this, an organisation must link all business objectives to the needs of their customer base.
Leadership
Though this principle might at first seem complicated, essentially it means that organisations have to commit concrete resources to quality improvement and promote the adoption of quality standards in others through participation, communication of vision and strategy, and the implementation of a ‘Culture of Quality’ across the business.
Engagement of People
All members of the organisation – from management to workforce – must be encouraged to contribute and collaborate to this ‘Culture of Quality’.
Process Approach
The implementation of a coherent structure within a given organisation, which allows for measurable results, identifies improvement areas, and addresses all any other factors that might affect a process’s quality.
Improvement
There needs to be a demonstrated commitment to improvement in a way that is adaptable to both external and internal conditions. It also refers to the development of certain contingencies in the event of hypothetical scenarios across the whole business in question.
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Relying on statistical evidence rather than personal or organisational bias to make decisions. In the long run, this allows for greater objectivity and efficiency.
Relationship Management
Organisations must be held accountable to all relationships, that is: with vendors, partners and suppliers, as well as employees, and being sensitive to the constraints, opportunities, and risks associated with each.
Our experts are on-hand to speak with you about your supply chain needs, as well as providing logistics support, from order to distribution and returns. Get in touch now and learn more about how we can help your business.
