The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international body set up to create, set, and promote standards. It works on standards that apply to all kinds of industries, such as healthcare, food safety, accounting, and manufacturing. The standards are designed to help identify safety issues, promote product compatibility, and share solutions. There are numerous types of ISO standards, each designed to focus on particular types of standards.
Certified ISO Standards
Out of the many different types of ISO standards, only a few can be certified. Certification refers to a process of reviewing the program of a company independently to confirm whether the program meets all the relevant ISO standards. The independent parties that audit the business practices and internal programs have to be accredited by ISO. A company can get ISO certification only after the audit and review confirms that all standards are met. Standards such as ISO 26000, which is for social responsibility, cannot be certified. However, that does not mean organizations can ignore the guidelines and recommendations set by the standard.
ISO 9000
ISO 9000 is usually considered as the starting point, given that it forms the basis for a majority of the other ISO standards that apply to most businesses. The standard is designed to ensure the quality of services and products is maintained at high levels. Companies with ISO 9000 certification usually have the edge over competitors when it comes to bidding for jobs.
Choosing to Get Certification
Companies usually decide whether to get ISO certified or not. Before a company chooses to get a certification, it has to consider all the ISO guidelines for their program development. After that, the company can then contact an independent party accredited by ISO to carry out the certification process. ISO certification is a norm in most professional industries, though not in all.
ISO and Management Systems
Regarding ISO, a management system refers to the method used by a business to manage all the relevant tasks. Usually, it entails collecting procedures, processes, and policies adopted by a business related to the business’s objectives. A management system should fit the different parts of a business together and ensure they operate efficiently without compromising quality. ISO 9000 covers the quality management standards for the systems.