To maintain a successful manufacturing operation, quality control is essential. Otherwise the result is inconsistent product quality that will deter customers and eventually have a negative impact on your company’s reputation. If there are deficiencies in the manufacturing process, it can also have legal ramifications if someone is later hurt using the product.
This sobering reality emphasizes the need for a system designed to ensure quality and reliability at all stages of the manufacturing process. That's exactly why ISO 9001 and related standards are important. The ISO 9001: 2015 Standard is the latest version, which addresses supply chain management and development quality in a way that can improve the integrity of your operations.
What Are The Different ISO Standards?
The latest and most common business standard is ISO 9001: 2015, which also applies to manufacturing. Other, industry-specific standards include:
ISO 13485: medical devices and equipment
ISO 14000: environmental management
ISO 17582: government electoral organizations
ISO 18091: local government processes
ISO/TS 29001: gas and oil industry
ISO/IEC 90003: software engineering
Groups are categorized as "families" and include multiple specifications. ISO 9000 and ISO 9001, for example, are part of the ISO 9000 family.
Standards are primarily for customers since they streamline business processes to be more efficient. A global marketplace requires checks and balances. Without it, consistency and quality would be difficult to achieve across industries and nations. An organization like ISO helps to maintain a level playing field by establishing international standards.
What Is ISO Certification?
The International Organization for Standardization publishes standards for services, goods, and processes. At last count, there are over 22,000 and counting! An independent, non-governmental, international organization, ISO develops standards to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products, services, and systems.
ISO certification indicates that one or more of the following has met all requirements for quality assurance and standardization:
Manufacturing process
Management system
Service
Documentation procedure
There are ISO certifications in many areas of industry, from energy management to social responsibility. These standards ensure consistency. There are numerous certifications, each with its own standards and criteria.
How Does a Manufacturer Become ISO Certified?
Manufacturers who wish to become certified must hire a third party to audit their products and operations. These professionals compare your details to the required specifications to determine whether or not you meet the ISO standard for certification.
Note:
ISO certification is not available to individuals. Only businesses and organizations can receive it. Additionally, ISO does not provide certification. It has to be obtained from third party organizations.
The overall training timeline will be influenced by several factors, including :
How well you understand the requirements
How ready the business is to be certified
The company’s size and complexity
Most can expect to receive their ISO 9001:2015 certification within three to six months. Once you get yours, you receive a certificate that you can:
Display on your site and other public forums to show everyone that your products and services meet an exceptionally high standard.
Present during the contract bid phase to show that your manufacturing operation meets ISO standards
ISO is an international body with a worldwide reach, so adopting their standards also helps local and regional companies produce output that meet the needs of customers in other countries. Furthermore, this provides the benefit of improved national and international trade - simply because the goods are always of a high standard.
ISO 9001: How Does It Apply to Manufacturing?
With ISO, businesses and teams can identify, document, and improve processes related to product quality. In addition, it establishes methods for solving problems arising from quality, cost, and customer-related issues.
When a manufacturer claims to be ISO 9001 certified, it means that it has met the requirements specified under ISO 9001. Organizations must define and follow a quality management system that is both appropriate and effective, and they must identify and act on improvement areas. It is generally understood that a business with ISO 9001 certification provides products and services that meet quality standards.
In addition to calibration of measuring and testing equipment, ISO 9001 requires a company’s quality management system to keep improving. Company owners and managers must set the objectives that fuel continuous improvement. At the very least, the quality objectives should address internal efficiency and product quality improvement. Every business that follows the standard works relentlessly to optimize and improve their output in order to exceed customer expectations.
ISO certification proves that your team is highly effective and focused on quality over everything else. Embracing ISO standards for regular operations can:
Make your processes more productive and efficient
Minimize operational and development costs
Reduce errors overall
Give you a competitive edge over manufacturers that do not adhere to ISO standards.
Who’s Your ISO Point Person?
Your company needs an ISO 9001 management representative who will be responsible for achieving and maintaining certification. The person in charge is often a quality manager or executive, but anybody with the authority to implement and change operational processes could do so. Companies with more than one location may want to consider a decentralized approach and appoint additional local representatives. This setup will increase flexibility and simplify operations.
Quality Abrasive Materials Can Support Your ISO Certification
Since ISO emphasizes quality and efficiency, using premium abrasives for your manufacturing operations can help ensure the caliber of output that 9001 demands. Sourcing and developing a relationship with a trusted and reputable supplier is therefore an investment in ongoing product excellence.
Fintech Abrasives manufactures and sells a wide range of abrasive products that support different manufacturing applications. Some of our products include:
Our abrasives are available in a variety of grit sizes and materials, from aluminum oxide to zirconia, silicon carbide, and ceramic. We'd be happy to provide tips and recommendations regarding the best product for your application, so to place an order or speak to one of our abrasive technicians, please fill out our contact form or call (888) 223-8768.