ISO 9001

The quality standard that goes straight to your bottom line.

A person working in a factory

ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems

ISO 9001 is the ultimate global benchmark for quality management and a critical tool for boosting your company’s success, profitability, and market potential.

Are you searching for ways to improve the quality of your service, create more efficient systems and workflows, or increase employee morale? Perhaps you require an internationally recognised standard to win a new tender or to match a competitor.

No matter what you’re looking for, IMSM can talk you through how an ISO 9001 management system could lead your company to success.

Get in touch ISO 9001

What is ISO 9001?

ISO 9001 is the ultimate global benchmark for quality management and a critical tool for boosting your company’s success, profitability, and market potential.

ISO 9001 sets out the necessary steps to adopt a quality management system. It is designed to help organisations ensure they meet the needs and expectations of both customers and other interested parties, based on internationally recognised quality management principles set out by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ISO 9001 is one of the most widely used management tools globally, with over one million organisations certified. It is a ‘generic standard’ as it is designed to fit flexibility around any organisation. Our consultants are there to help you identify what is relevant for your business, whatever the size or turnover.

What are the benefits of ISO 9001?

  1. Client satisfaction
    By focusing on your customers’ experience, ISO 9001 will better equip your business to meet their needs, improving the customer focus throughout the company. The impact of this can fundamentally change your business and increase your profits through referrals.
  2. Reduced operating costs
    ISO 9001 streamlines your internal processes. This improved efficiency contains costs and saves you money whilst also improving accountability and traceability, allowing you to tackle problems better and quicker.
  3. Improved efficiency
    Do you lose time to inefficient processes and poor team communication? Efficiency also improves staff motivation. With greater clarity and focus on business objectives, time and resources are spent on what really matters to the business.
  4. Competitive advantages
    Better internal processes and customer service ultimately improve your market competitiveness, leading to higher profit potential.
  5. Open new markets
    Having poor customer retention or missing important deadlines can be detrimental to your operation, but ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised mark of quality. Becoming certified can open your business to larger clients at home and overseas.
  6. Continual improvement
    Perhaps the most crucial element of the standard is that it is not a one-off exercise. Regular reviews keep quality at the forefront of the business, and that quality will keep your business improving.

Steps to getting ISO 9001 certification

Working towards ISO 9001 certification with IMSM is a trouble-free, step-by-step approach.

  1. Initial consultation
    We help you outline your goals, focusing on what your business wants to achieve and how it defines success, particularly in relation to your client’s requirements. You and your ISO consultants will agree on reasonable outcomes and delivery dates.
  2. Producing your organisation’s ISO 9001 manual system documentation
    Next, the IMSM consultant will audit your existing procedures and help you document the new systems that will help deliver success – both existing and how you will improve these. The manual system documentation sets out how your business should operate going forward so that it can deliver ISO 9001.
    You will be able to view the manual system documentation, along with most other relevant documentation, on our client portal IMSMLoop. It offers a comprehensive insight into the progress of your ISO implementation, along with copies of the relevant audit reports, certifications, and any necessary corrective actions. The portal serves as a central hub for tracking your ISO journey.
  3. Training you to adopt the ISO 9001 framework
    While the manual is a vital document moving forward, it is even more important that it gets put to practical use. We work with the senior management team to ensure the framework is embedded throughout your organisation. We can also develop and deliver tailored training for staff to ensure that the understanding and implementation of ISO 9001 is watertight. This will create consistency across your organisation, transforming your business from day one so it is optimised for efficiency, continual improvement, and greater profitability.
  4. Submission to a third-party external auditor
    Before you can be awarded the ISO 9001 certification, your organisation applies to the third-party certifying body that you have selected to conduct your audit. This audit objectively determines whether your business conforms to ISO 9001, and the relevant accompanying documentation is accessible through our client portal, IMSMLoop.

As we have provided excellent support and guidance to your business every step of the way, you can rest assured that your ISO 9001 certification will be successful.

Get in touch ISO 9001

Why IMSM?

Simple: We make it simple. Since 1994, we’ve been helping businesses achieve ISO certification and have over 150 experts worldwide. With 15,000+ clients trusting us to implement their ISOs, we have proven to be experts capable of handling the logistical heavy lifting, saving your company precious time. With a transparent fixed fee, flexible approach, and real-time access to updates, documentation, and an array of other features through IMSMLoop, we work with your organisation to make ISO 9001 implementation as straightforward and beneficial as possible.

We strive to do this with our:

– World-class gap analysis
– Experienced and diverse ISO consultants
– Regular updates, provided through IMSMLoop
– Flexible terms and contract
– Fixed fee
– Full implementation

How can ISO specialists help your business?

Getting started with ISO 9001 certification might seem daunting; this is often the reason why businesses enlist the help of an ISO consultant. For thirty years, we’ve supported and guided organisations like yours through certification. Our experienced consultants take the lead on auditing your business, helping you use the results to enhance your quality management system. If necessary, there is also plenty of room for training.

FAQs

  1. How do I get ISO 9001 certified?
    Your first step involves contacting an ISO specialist to organise an initial consultation. You can reach out to us to set one up – our expert team will help you implement an effective, globally recognised quality management system into your organisation.
  2. What are the primary requirements of ISO 9001?
    The ISO 9001 standard is very flexible regarding what information it requires. We split these into documents and records and provide them to you on our client portal; you can learn more about what is mandatory on our blog.
  3. How long does it take to get ISO 9001 certification?
    Ultimately, it depends on the size and complexity of your business. As a benchmark, most organisations can expect certification within three to six months of beginning the ISO 9001 process.
  4. How do I pass an ISO audit?
    A business will pass its ISO audit by preparing beforehand. Your IMSM ISO specialist will help you prepare, but your organisation must be receptive to the changes. Are you analysing the results of internal audits? Are you regularly implementing corrective actions? Do you have a clear set of objectives and targets? Getting your entire team on board each step of the way will help you pass.
  5. How long does ISO 9001 last?
    Certifications with IMSM are valid for a year. Regardless of how long your ISO 9001 certification is valid, your organisation must demonstrate continuous improvement from the original certification date to the renewal date.
  6. What is the difference between ISO 9000 and ISO 9001?
    ISO 9000 is a family of quality management standards; ISO 9001 is one of them. It outlines the fundamentals of an efficient and effective QMS (Quality Management System).
  7. What is the current version of ISO 9001?
    ISO (9001:2015) is the most up-to-date version of the certification, making any qualification certified to previous editions redundant.
  8. Is ISO 9001 a legal requirement?
    Although ISO 9001 is often recognised as essential in many industries and business exchanges, it isn’t a legal requirement. However, certification helps companies adhere to their country’s respective laws and regulations.

ISO 9001 Blogs

Take a look at our most recent blogs relating to ISO 9001

What are the 7 principles of quality management?  icon

What are the 7 principles of quality management?

To help your business perform effectively, the Quality Management and Quality Assurance Committee (ISO/TC 176) established 7 quality management principles for companies to build upon their existing ISO 9001 framework.

Read more
What is the difference between ISO 17025 and ISO 9001?  icon

What is the difference between ISO 17025 and ISO 9001?

ISO/IEC 17025 was introduced in 1999 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) as an internationally recognised standard for laboratory competence.

Read more

This standard contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Contact Us

For a free quotation or remote presentation by an ISO specialist, contact us today.

IMSM Ltd Head Office
The Gig House
Oxford Street
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 9AX

Tel: +44 1793 296704

Contact Us

For a free Quotation or On-Site presentation by an ISO Specialist, contact us today!

IMSM Ltd Head Office The Gig House
Oxford Street
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 9AX

Tel: 01666 826 065