IRCA is the world’s original and largest international certification body for auditors of management systems. Located in the UK in the centre of London, IRCA certifies more than 14,750 auditors in over 150 countries worldwide. IRCA provides auditors, business and industry with certification of auditors of management systems and approval of training and certification organisations.

You come in to contact with ISO standards on a daily basis without even realising it. Hundreds of researched signs and symbols have been developed by ISO technical committees, conveying clear-cut messages crossing language barriers. Here are a few examples of ISO in action:

• The signs on packaging telling you “this way up”
• The symbols on the dashboard of your car
• ISBN numbers on the inside front cover of your book – unique to every copy of each book
• Directions and instructions in and around airports
• Features on your credit card to enable it to be used worldwide
• The nuts, bolts and screws that hold your chair, desk, bicycle together

In 1946, delegates from 25 countries formed, with the intention of creating a new international organisation, in order “to facilitate the international coordination and unification of industrial standards”. ISO is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), although, government experts often participate in ISO standard development. Although ISO is an NGO, it forms a bridge between and receives input from the public sector as it does from the private sector.

International standardisation will enable your business to compete in markets nationally and across the world. The widespread recognition and adoption of international standards means that suppliers can develop their products and services using reference documents that have broad market relevance. The following is a selection of benefits that ISO will bring to your business:

• Increased revenue
• Improved processes
• Increased efficiency and consistency
• Client satisfaction

ISO standards are reviewed at least every five years after their publication to ensure that they remain representative to industry.

International standardisation provides a reference framework, or a common technological language, between suppliers and their customers, which facilitates trade and the transfer of technology. Industry-wide standardisation occurs when the large majority of products or services in a particular business or industry sector conform to International Standards.

IMSM specialises in supporting SMEs and understands fully the issues that surround businesses on a daily basis. Your local IMSM Area Manager is able, in many instances, to access and organise partial funding for your investment in an ISO standard. IMSM can also provide an easy payment solution for your business by arranging a standing order to spread the cost over a maximum of 6 months.

The cost of ISO standard implementation and certification is a fixed fee from the beginning of your business relationship with IMSM and it will not change throughout the ISO process. The cost is not as much as you might think and is based on the following variables: The standard/s you require The number of company sites The number of employees The amount of support deemed necessary to ensure that your business is prepared and ready for certification.