How To Become An ISO Certified Company in India
In the current economic situation, the market is very much competitive and the expectations of customers in terms of Quality, Quantity, Safety, reliability, and cost-effective products or services are huge. It is all about common expectations of customers in different economic zone across the continent. To meet these customer expectations and to be in the business the organization has worked on standard business practices to meet that customer’s requirement or Regulatory Body or Interested Party expectations.
ISO Certification is one of the ways, which provides the systematic business practices requirements to the organization to meet the requirements of the Customer or regulatory Bodies consistently, without adding any extra cost to the organization. So, the organization must think about “How to become an ISO Certified Company” to meet the market Challenges, and customer requirements and same time enhance the productivity and Leadership of the organization.
There are several Management System Standard published by the international organization of Standardization (ISO) -such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, ISO 22000, ISO 13485, ISO 22301, ISO 37001, ISO 41001, etc So on. Where each ISO Standard has its own specific requirements for use. when the organization chooses any one ISO Standard (Management System Standard) for Implementation in the organization and gets Certified by ISO Certification Body, the organization becomes an ISO Certified Company. For Example, if the organization Chooses ISO 9001 – Quality Management System Standard for Implementation, then after the certification the organization will become ISO 9001 Certified Company.
What is ISO Certification and Why it becomes a necessity for the company to get ISO Certified?
First of all, let’s understand what is ISO Certification so that it can help the organization to better understanding, so that the organization may plan for ISO Certification accordingly if they feel that it is beneficial for the organization and the process of ISO Certification is well understood.
ISO Certification is a Management System Standard Certification of ISO Standard- There are many Managements System Standard -such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 27001, ISO 22000, ISO 13485, ISO 22301, ISO 37001, ISO 41001, etc So on – These are a Management System Standards. Each ISO Standard has specific requirements and purpose for use by the Company /Business organization.
Example -1
The organization wanted to further Enhancement of Productivity, Process performance, and Customer Satisfaction of the organization. So, in this case, the organization is required to choose ISO 9001 Standard for Implementation in the organization, where ISO 9001 Standard is Known as Quality Management System Standard. When this ISO 9001 Standard is adopted by the organization for implementation and after completion of implementation the organization Chooses the ISO Certification body that provided the ISO Certification in India, applies them, and gets ISO 9001 Certification for the Company.
Example – 2
There is an IT Company or Software Development Company – that wanted to further enhancement of Information Security of the organization to meet the compliance requirements of Customers /regulatory Body / Interested Party- In this case for ISO Certification the organization is advised to opt for ISO 27001- Information Security Management System (ISMS) for implementation and ISO 27001 Certification.
Example – 3
There is an organization wanted to improve the Environmental Performance of the organization, and Enhancement of compliance obligations (Legal requirements) related to the Environment- Such as Compliance with the Pollution Control Board, CPCB, waste Disposal, Reducing the misuse of natural resources, etc so on – In this case for ISO Certification, it is advised to organization opt ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System (EMS) Standard for implementation and further ISO 14001 Certification.
With the above example and explanation, now it is clarified what is ISO Certification.
Now questions come about why ISO Certification is one of the necessities for the organization, although it is not mandatory in most case, the different ISO Standard provides the requirements to the organization, that, if the organization implement the Management System Standard in the organization and maintain the ISO requirement Consistently, it will add the lots of value to the organization. For Example, ISO 9001 Certification – helps the organization to further enhancement of Productivity, Customer Satisfaction.
ISO 27001 Certification helps the organization enhance Information security, and ISO 14001 Certification – helps the organization to enhance environmental performance and Compliance obligations, etc so on. Similarly, the other Management System Standards provide different benefits to the organization when an organization opts for ISO Certification to Company in India or anywhere the organization has its operations /Business.
How to Get ISO Certification?
As per industry best practices and experts are advised to get ISO Certification to any standard (For Example- ISO 9001 Certification, ISO 14001 Certification, ISO 27001 Certification, ISO 22000 Certification, ISO 45001 Certification, etc) as per the requirements of the organization. It’s advised that first of all understand the requirements of selected Management System Standard – by self-learning, attending the Training or by experts ISO Certification Consultants. Once the Management System Standard requirements are understood by the organization.
The next step is to implement of ISO Standard in the organization, the Following Steps of implementation can be followed, as given below
- GAP analysis (ISO Standard requirements VS Current organization Business Practices)
- Development of Necessary Documents & Records
- Training to all the Concern Team
- Implement the Documents
- Monitor the Implementation and monitor then and maintain the records
- Conduct an Internal Audit of implemented Management System to monitor the effectiveness of the Implementation
- Conduct the Management Review meeting for adequacy review of the Management System and further Continual Improvements
Once The implementation is completed apply to ISO Certification Body (OSS Certification) and get the Proposal for ISO Certification to know the Cost involved in ISO Certification. After the receipt of application and acceptance of ISO Certification Cost provided by ISO Certification Body (I.e OSS Certification, ). The Certification Body follows the Followings Steps of ISO Certification, prior to the issue of ISO Certification to Company (Such as ISO 9001 Certification, ISO 14001 Certification, ISO 27001 Certification, etc so on)
- Audit Team Assignment for ISO Certification
- Onsite Audit of implemented Management System Standard
- Audit Report Review and Certification Decision
- Award of ISO Certification to Company
What are the Benefits of ISO Certification to the Company?
We have clarified above that ISO Certification is a Management System Standard Certification of ISO Standard and each Management System Standard has its own specific requirements. So, the Benefits of ISO Certification to the Company depend on which ISO Standard, the organization has opted for Implementation and further Certification. A few examples of the benefits of Different ISO Certifications are given below.
ISO 9001 Certification Benefits
- Enhancement of Productivity
- Enhancement of Customer Satisfaction
- Potential for new business opportunity
ISO 14001 Certification Benefits
- Enhancement of Environmental Performance
- Enhancement of Compliance Obligations
- Energy Saving and Financial Benefits
ISO 27001 Certification Benefits
- Enhancement of Information Security of the organization
- Building the Trust of Customers for Information security
- Enhancement of Information Security Regulatory Compliances
The above are a few Examples of Benefits of a Few ISO certifications But are not limited, there could several other benefits of ISO Certifications to the organization, it all depends on how the organization implements Certification. Similarly, other ISO Standards have their own purpose and benefits of ISO Certification.
Further Know more about ISO Certification, the organization can reach Accredited ISO Certification Body OSS Certification or any CAB found best suitable.