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ISO 9001 Registration � 8 Steps for Success
You've made the plans, built the quality system and conducted the
audit. So how do you register your company as ISO 9001
conformant? And how can you be sure you're getting the most value
for your investment? Here's how the process works.
Certifying Your Company for ISO 9001
After your company's ISO 9001 audit, you will want to register
your company to show that you've met the requirements. And to do
this effectively, you will need to follow eight essential steps.
1. Finding a Registrar
You'll need to begin searching for an ISO registrar during the 2
to 3 months your company is still building its quality system.
You can search the Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB) at
http://www.rabnet.com to select the registrar right for you.
2. Selecting a Registrar
Select a registrar that has experience within the scope category
of your specific industry, which you can also find on the RAB
site. Keep in mind accreditation, scheduling issues, fees and
comfort level when selecting the registrar right for you.
3. Creating an Application
A company and a registrar will agree on the application,
contract. This defines the rights and obligations of both
parties, and includes liability issues, confidentiality and
access rights.
4. Conducting a Document Review
The registrar will require a copy of your quality manual and
procedures to verify that all the requirements of the standard
are addressed. Allow 2-4 weeks in advance for the registrar to
fully review all of the necessary documents.
5. Determining Preassessment
Though optional, this 2-4 week initial review of the system
identifies any significant omissions or weaknesses. It saves time
and allows the registrar to assess any issues and resolve
logistics before the actual assessment audit.
6. Issuing an Assessment
During the audit, or physical onsite inspection of procedures in
action, the auditors will issue findings if they assess anything
that doesn't meet requirements, or nonconformities. The length of
this step will depend on the scope of the audit and the size your
organization.
7. Completing ISO Registration
After all of the findings are put into the audit report and
nonconformities are addressed, your company has the option to
register as ISO 9001 conformant. You will receive a certificate
and can also be listed in a register, which the company can use
to publicize its registration and use in advertising.
8. Checking with Surveillances
To ensure that the system is maintained and that changes don't
result in deficiencies in the system, registrars perform regular
surveillances of the system. Over the three-year period of your
certificate, auditors will perform one full and two partial
checks of your system.
Considerations in Planning
The Document Review and Preassessment typically require 2-4 weeks
each. However, the number of registrars and the number of days
for each stage of the registration audit depends on the size and
complexity of your organization. So set target dates accordingly
to allow both you and the registrar time to fully prepare.
Quality Procedures Investment
Always keep in mind, registration should provide you with
valuable feedback to improve your system. So make sure to seek
the appropriate registrar, and take full advantage of the entire
audit process. After all, it's your company, it's your
registration, and so make sure you get a strong return on YOUR
investment.
Chris Anderson has over 18 years of sales, marketing and business
management experience working with business process design,
software and systems engineering. He is also co-author of
policies and procedures manual products, producing the layout,
process design and implementation to increase performance. He is
currently the Managing Director of Bizmanualz, Inc.
Visit: http://www.bizmanualz.com/?src=ART76
inkyvinny.com only sells inkjet cartridges that are ISO 9001 certified.
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