By Harry Smith
You’ve probably heard this name or term around in your industry. In fact, companies with this certification often make it clear in their digital and physical landscape that they are ISO-certified. But then, what does ISO certification mean, and is it that important? How does it benefit a customer doing business with an ISO-certified company?
Companies value their ISO 9001 certification because, in short, it’s a big deal. It’s hard to get the certification, and it’s even harder to continuously maintain it simply because of the rigorous regulations that a company needs to abide by to achieve and maintain one. Before going into detail on why, let’s learn a little more about what ISO is.
What’s ISO?
ISO refers to the International Organization for Standardization. This organization is the world’s largest and leading developer that safeguards the International Standards. It’s an independent, non-governmental organization that offers solutions and best systems for a variety of businesses and technology, helping organizations and companies to improve performance, while still protecting consumer interest and the earth.
The ISO standards have been developed through a global consensus, an agreed-upon formula that dictates the best ways of doing something, be it a product creation, delivering a service, or managing a process. These standards have been drawn with the primary objective of breaking down the boundaries in international trade. The most well-known standards are ISO 9001, which focuses on quality, ISO 14001, which focuses on the environment, and ISO 27001, which focuses on information security management.
What’s the ISO 9001:2015 certification?
The ISO 9001 certification is the most widely seen, widely recognized, and sought-after certification. It relates to the Quality Management System (QMS) standard. This certification focuses on developing and helping organizations, brands, and companies meet their customers’ and stakeholders’ specific needs in a more systematic and effective way. The ISO helps organizations achieve this certification by building a framework to ensure consistent quality throughout the entire process of goods and services provision.
This standard has been created based on seven quality management principles, which are:
- Engagement of people
- Customer focus
- Leadership
- Process approach
- Improvement
- Evidence-based decision-making
- Relationship management
The certification focuses on how companies develop and sustain strong customer focus approaches, how top management is involved throughout the entire QMS process, and how companies strive toward continual improvement.
The relative importance of each of these principles differs between organizations. They aren’t listed based on priority, and it may change over time depending on shifting industry needs. For example, https://aero-flex.aero/ high quality, on-time delivery, product, and experience has been accredited with the ISO 9001 certification. Not only that, but their quality program is also certified with the AS9100D certification.
You may be wondering, “That’s great, but what’s in it for me?” For companies to go above and beyond to get certified tells you that doing business with them would bring extreme benefits to you as a customer.
Benefits of Working With an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Business
Whether you plan on working with a supplier for air compressors or hose assemblies, CNC parts, multi-power systems, or piping systems, it’s crucial to pick and work with the best option there is in the industry and one that works well with your business needs. Price isn’t the only factor of consideration – quality is, as well.
There are plenty of benefits of working with an ISO 9001 certified company, and all of it is geared to improving performance and, ultimately, customer satisfaction. Here are the top 5 reasons to work with an ISO 9001 registered company:
1. The company complies and follows industry-standard quality management systems.
One of the criteria for awarding the certification is that a company outlines and follows a specific and determined quality management system focused on driving standardization across all company levels and processes. This standardization results in a high-quality product and service that meets the required specification each time. For customers, you’ll have peace of mind when working with a company that’s certified because you’ll always receive the same high-quality and exceptional product or service.
2. Customers will get on-time delivery.
The certification also determines that certified companies always prove to be efficient, which means customers can expect on-time delivery of their products and services. Companies with ISO certification already have proven and reliable processes that are in place to calculate and manage lead times. They also have the capacity to coordinate each step in the manufacturing process from the initial order right down to the product delivery. These companies also have reliable systems and relationships with shipping companies that are trusted and time-honored, which results in fewer unexpected delays.
3. Customers can expect a cost reduction.
Standardization and QMS also result in cost reduction. This is because the ISO 9001 focuses on consistent and constant improvements to refine manufacturing, delivery, and supply processes continuously. ISO 9001 manufacturing companies, for instance, are always looking for ways to reduce waste and eliminate unnecessary processes in their manufacturing supply chain to efficiently deliver and meet customers’ expectations. This drives value and innovation.
4. Customers will receive reliable products.
There are no two ways about it. Having a reliable and proven QMS system ensures that customers always get reliable products with little to no defects. You’ll always get reliable equipment, parts that are of high quality, and exceptional customer service. ISO 9001 certification also means that quality management standards are set in place to ensure that the company is set up for success in all of its deliverables. Should there be any inconsistencies, these certified companies already have systems to identify and rectify the issue. It also involves preventing the problem from happening again.
5. Customers reap the rewards of better service.
Customer satisfaction is the ultimate goal because if the customer is satisfied, it leads to higher revenues. The guiding principle of the ISO has customers’ needs at its very core. All products and services that are offered need to be consistently improved to meet the needs of the end customer.
Of course, there are many benefits to getting an ISO certification not only for the customer, but for the company as well. The five points above are just some of the most important ones.
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