Top 5 Ways to Get a Certificate of Compliance with an ISO Standard
As a business, you want to ensure your products and services comply with the latest standards. However, compliance can be difficult and time-consuming.
You may need more time or resources to take on compliance yourself. That’s where certificates of compliance come in — they can help speed up the process and save you a lot of time and money.
To find out more, check out our top 5 ways to get a certificate of Compliance with an ISO Standard.
What exactly are ISO Standards?
ISO standards, created by ISO members, provide frameworks, rules, or criteria that they can follow to try and achieve their original goal. ISO standards assist multiple industries in various regions in implementing internationally recognized milestones for quality, security, and safety, among other things.
Contrary to popular belief, ISO does not issue certifications for the standards it publishes. Third-party auditors carry out inspections and issue certifications for ISO standards.
To be “certified” for an ISO standard means the organization has provided sufficient proof to third-party auditors that it has met the standard’s requirements.
Are There Any Advantages to Adhering to ISO Standards?
Many businesses and organizations worldwide now regard ISO as the gold standard. Aside from certification, following ISO standards can help you achieve the following:
- Facilitate organizational consensus by using shared benchmarks.
- Keep businesses up to date on the most current industry best practices.
- Encourage global trade and business partnerships by adhering to regulatory and industry requirements.
How to Obtain ISO Standard Certification
Several approaches to preparing for ISO certification include consulting with consultants for certification advice or preparing internally before seeking third-party assistance.
Here are five steps to take to prepare for 3rd certification of an ISO standard.
Acquaint yourself with the ISO standard.
Determine which ISO standard is relevant to your organization or industry and will be most beneficial.
While following an ISO standard is entirely voluntary, some industries require organizations to be certified for specific ISO standards. Knowing the most common ISO standards is an excellent place to start.
Once you’ve decided which standard to follow, it’s time to rally the rest of the company behind the certification drive.
Obtain buy-in
Aligning with ISO standards, especially for critical processes, would necessitate the cooperation of everyone within the organization. Proper information dispersion and employee training help the rest of the staff understand why an ISO standard is being certified. Obtaining buy-in will also help reduce aversion to internal audits, a common certification requirement.
Perform audit work
Internal audits can assist in identifying gaps in current processes, identifying areas for improvement, and determining readiness for third-party certification.
Form a team to conduct internal audits using audit checklists based on the ISO standard for which you want to be certified. The auditing team will be held accountable for proper internal audit documentation, which is required for ISO certification.
Conform to the ISO standard
When areas for improvement are identified through internal audits, it should implement changes to address shortcomings.
Always document changes made and continue to conduct regular internal audits to track the organization’s progress toward ISO standard compliance.
Continue with the third-party audit.
Contact a reputable third-party auditor who will conduct the certification audit and assist your organization in becoming ISO-certified.
ISO certification is not a one-time event and is only valid for three years from the certification date. ISO certification is valid for three years, after which it must be renewed to ensure the consistency of ISO standard-aligned processes.
Even after ISO standard certification, continue implementing ISO-aligned processes and stay informed of updates. ISO standards are reviewed every five years, and ISO publishes revisions to reflect current industry best practices.
Conclusion
Conclusion: ISO standards have become a competitive advantage for many organizations, as it provides proof of compliance and increases the company’s credibility in the eyes of their customers. Some organizations may require certification before signing any contract with that company, so it is vital to understand how an ISO system will help you prove compliance.
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