The ISO 9000 family of standards recognizes companies for outstanding quality management systems. The standards require companies to periodically audit their quality processes. When done correctly, this can help provide objective feedback to correct any quality deviations.
While this family consists of numerous ISO standards, only one offers a certification option: ISO 9001. The certification sets out the criteria for a company’s quality management system and is seen as a global benchmark for quality.
So why should your company get ISO 9001 certification? Read on to find out.
1. Meet Customer Requirements
The first, and perhaps most obvious, reason to get ISO 9001 certified is to meet the increasing demands of customers. Many customers demand that the products and services they buy are of high quality. With ISO 9001 certification, you can assure customers that you have the ability to consistently provide goods and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
2. Get More Revenue and Business from New Customers
ISO 9001 certification can open up new markets that you were unable to do business with before your certification. Several studies show that there’s a positive relationship between ISO 9001 certification and companies’ financial performance. Most certified companies report increased productivity, more demand for their products or services, better sales growth, and an increased market share.
3. Improve Company and Product Quality
Checking that systems work is a vital part of ISO 9001. The certification requires an organization to perform internal audits to check how its QMS is working and verify that it is in conformity to the standard.
Regular audits can help your organization identify quality deviations and address them accordingly. Consequently, you can increase quality in every product and process across your company.
4. Increase Customer Satisfaction
The guiding principle of ISO is to ensure that companies offer quality products and services that consistently meet the needs of customers. Not only does dedication to quality improve customer satisfaction, but it also increases customer loyalty which is key to retaining repeat clients.
5. Improve the Consistency of Your Operations
With ISO 9001, all processes from research to development, to manufacturing to shipping, are outlined and documented, reducing variations. Even the process of altering a process is documented to ensure the changes are implemented in the best way possible.
Reduced variation in processes ensures that your customers get a product or service with the same quality every time they transact from you. Additionally, you’ll be able to deliver goods on time.
6. Improve Efficiency
No organization runs smoothly 100 percent of the time. However, a certified QMS has established processes and guidelines that help your company to approach perfection. The processes and guidelines are easy to follow, making training, changes, and troubleshooting easy.
With increased consistency and streamlined processes, you can increase efficiency and reduce waste.
7. Achieve International Quality Recognition
ISO 9001 is recognized globally as the authority on quality management. It is currently in use by over one million companies around the world. Obtaining the certification places your organization in a very select group.
ISO 9001 has become a widely accepted and sought-after quality management system for good reasons. The reasons mentioned above have hardly scratched the surface. But hopefully, they’ll convince you to get ISO 9001 certification.