Certification of the quality management system: the basis and purpose

In the field of industrial production and business there are several international organizations regulating standards. The most significant structure describing operational and managing business processes is ISO (ISO). World standards are set out in several series. The most popular and extensive edition of the ISO 9000 code is formulated by TC 176 (ISO technical committee). Among the documents, the certification of the ISO 9001 quality management system (national ISO 9001) deserves special attention.

The receipt by the enterprise or organization of a certificate confirming the compliance of business processes with the current ISO 9001 regulations is a recognition of the professionalism of management, high level of technical equipment, compliance with legislation in the field of safety engineering and environmental protection. Obtaining a certificate of an international standard opens the way for the company to new markets, gives advantages to competitors.

ISO 9001

Certification of the quality management system (QMS) determines uniform rules and norms regarding the quality management of the enterprise. The fundamental principle is the customer orientation. The task of the QMS is not to control a separate process or procedure. It consists in minimizing managerial and production errors. In the development of the ISO system, an approach to standardization was proposed, which was finally formulated by the technical committee experts in 2008. Then there was development, supplemented by the formulated rules, which were reflected in ISO 9001 (edition of 2011 and 2015). The new document essentially raises the basic characteristic of the enterprise - effectiveness.

The order of certification of the quality management system assumes the voluntary consent of the management of the enterprise to the implementation of ISO 9001 standards. However, in some industrial groups (machine building, metallurgy, medical and food industry), a number of requirements for the relevant industries are mandatory. On the territory of Russia, the ISO 9001 standardization system has been given the national status. This ensures the success of its practical application for over twenty years.

What are the advantages of ISO 9001 for the company?

Certification of the quality management system ISO 9001 (ISO 9001) gives an advantage in the market. It is formed by:

• Effective customer satisfaction.
• Optimum consumption of working time and production resources.
• Efficiency in making decisions and eliminating errors.
• Increase the degree of involvement of employees in the work process through an effective system of motivation.
• Optimization and improvement of production technology.
• Possibilities for obtaining loans on preferential terms.
• Growth of loyalty to the enterprise of controlling bodies, investors and consumers.
• Ensuring the best quality of products and services.

The result of implementation of the QMS and further follow the requirements of the standard is the growth of the consumer audience, access to new sales markets, expansion of production opportunities, positive results of preliminary qualification of the largest companies (both in Russia and abroad), participation in state tenders.

Certification bodies: requirements

In the event that the management of the company decides on the beginning of the certification procedure, first of all, the appropriate body is selected. According to the approved rules, the organization planning to participate in public procurement should be monitored exclusively by the national appraiser. In turn, all national authorities that carry out quality management system certification are registered with the federal agency FATR.

In order to ensure the accreditation of the company that issues the national ISO 9001 (ISO 9001) certificates, the following nuances should be checked:

1. The certificate for accreditation granted by Rosstandart (FATR). A document of an approved sample and form must be provided.
2. The form shall be certified with the seal and signature of the official.
3. The certificate indicates the validity period of the rights to assess compliance and issue a document.

If the certificate of the certification body has expired, the documents issued by it are recognized as invalid.

National certification of the quality management system: the order of work

The methodology for conducting inspections for compliance with the requirements of the national standard ISO 9001 (international ISO 9001) consists of the following stages:

• Preliminary audit.
• Analysis of the company's documentation for compliance with QMS requirements.
• Monitoring the effectiveness and effectiveness of the regulations implemented within the framework of the QMS.

In the case of a positive assessment of the auditors, a certificate for compliance with ISO 9001 (ISO 9001) is issued. But that is not all.

All evaluation work is carried out by the body for the certification of quality management systems by its own auditors. The composition of the team is proposed by the head of the relevant body, which confirms their competence and valid accreditation on EA codes (industry classification codes in Russia).

Preliminary audit

Preliminary audit is preparation for the evaluation of the company's documentation and the implemented regulations. The controller examines the measure of compliance with the requirements of the standard. Based on the results, he decides on the expediency of further verification stages. Preliminary inspection consists in the analysis of company documents on the implemented quality standards. The so-called auditor gets acquainted with production instructions, technological cards, etc. A preliminary audit should identify weaknesses in the regulatory documentation (according to the QMS), as well as problems in the practical implementation of the requirements of the quality management system.

The results of the preliminary assessment are transferred to the head of the applicant company. Fixation in the preliminary audit report is carried out only with the consent of the customer's side. After this, certification of the ISO 9001 quality management system begins. A preliminary audit is conducted in order to help the company's management assess its own readiness for verification. The nature of the audit is agreed upon by the party initiating the audit.

Analysis of company documentation for compliance with QMS

The group of auditors checks the documents of the applicant company within the framework of the QMS, assesses the location of the enterprise, and tests specific working conditions. The auditors conduct an interview with the management to ensure that the customer understands the rules and norms of the ISO 9001 standard. The experts of the certifying organization gather information about the production processes and the scope of the QMS regulations. The audit determines the compliance of the company's activities with the requirements of national legislation.

Analysis of effectiveness and effectiveness

The plan for checking the effectiveness of the implemented QMS norms is submitted for verification to the customer and approved by him. Auditors, in addition to analyzing the effectiveness of the company's work on the ISO 9001 system, take into account possible comments and claims to the QMS. The task of the enterprise to show during the inspection the practical application of all regulations, norms and rules provided at the stage of documentary verification. At the end of the audit, the customer is notified of the results.

Certificate granting

Based on the positive decision taken by the officials of the certifying body, a document of the established type is issued. Certification of the organization's quality management system confirms the conformity of the business processes of the enterprise-customer, the requirements of the national standardization system ISO 9001 and international ISO 9001. The time for observing audits is also reported to the customer.