One of the questions that many business owners are faced with is which ISO standard to go for. The first timers also struggle to understand the ISO certification requirements and the way to clear the ISO certification audit. If you too are planning to get an ISO certificate but are finding it hard to comprehend the nitty-gritty’s involved in the process then the information shared here should come handy.
In this article, we have shared a brief about the different types of ISO standards suitable for different sectors, the requirements for these certifications as well as the sure way to get through the elaborate ISO certification process. So, read on!
A Brief about ISO
Before we acquaint you with the various types of ISO standards and their significance, let us understand what ISO is after all. ISO is short for International Organization of Standardization. This international organization basically creates and promotes standards or best practices for different industries to help businesses enhance their performance and offer better services. So far, it has created over 22,600 standards applicable for different types of industries.
Different ISO Standards and Their Relevance
If you have been trying to figure out which ISO standard is best for your business then you must already be aware that there are a number of ISO standards suitable for different kinds of businesses. In order to identify which one matches your requirement, it is important to learn the significance of different types of ISO standards. Let us take you through the most popular ones in the league:
ISO 9001:2015 Certification
It is known to be the best certification for newbies irrespective of their employee strength and nature of business. ISO 9001 certification in Bangalore is suitable for service based as well as product based businesses. Some of the documents required for this certification are quality policy, design and development input records, management review results and internal audit program results.
ISO 27001 Certification
ISO 27001 Information Security Management System certification is applicable for businesses that need to keep their customer data and other business related information such as their financial data, programming data, research analysis reports and the likes under strict security. If you own an IT firm or a financial institution then this certification is undoubtedly crucial for you. Banks are particularly expected to attain ISO 27001 certification.
ISO 14001 Certification
ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification is the one for you if your business impacts the environment and the natural surroundings. For instance, if yours is a mining company, pharmaceutical company, oil & gas agency, mining company or any manufacturing company then you must undergo this audit. It needs to be cleared to meet the local or international regulatory requirements.
ISO 22000 Certification
ISO 22000 Food Management System has specifically been designed for food handling firms and does not hold any significance for other businesses. However, this doesn’t mean that as a food handling business you can go for only this ISO certification. You may apply for many other ISO certifications too.
ISO 45001 Certification
ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System is crucial for businesses where the manpower safety is at risk due to the nature of the job. Construction companies, manufacturing companies and mining companies are among the ones that require this certification. Your business shall be able to clear the audit only if you have all the necessary safety guidelines implemented.
ISO 50001 Certification
ISO 50001 Energy Management provides a framework to organizations to help them make efficient use of energy. Based on the framework, the organizations are expected to develop a policy to improve energy performance and set targets to meet the points shared in the proposed policy. Furthermore, they need to measure the results, review the policy from time to time and work towards improving energy management. This certification is applicable for all businesses across industries.
Other ISO Standards
Some of the other ISO standards include:
ISO 31000 –
This is a risk management standard. It helps the organizations manage risks involved in the operations in a safe manner.
ISO 20121 –
This ISO standard has been introduced to cover event sustainability. It focuses on improving sustainability of event-related activities.
ISO 26000 –
It provides guidelines to manage business in a socially capable manner. Corporate social responsibility is vital here.
ISO Certification Requirements
ISO organization publishes a set of ISO Standards that businesses need to meet in order to attain the certificate issued by an accredited certification body. In India, the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) issues the ISO certificates by conducting a thorough audit.
In order to prepare for the stringent audit conducted by the accredited certification body, organizations require the necessary documentation as per the guidelines stated in the ISO Standards. They also require training their employees accordingly. The ISO requirements aren’t very difficult to implement. The requirements set for different industries can be integrated in the organization with little effort.
Seek Professional Assistance
Many business owners make the mistake of handling the entire certification process on their own. Even after trying hard most of them are unable to clear the certification because they are not well-versed with the procedure.
In order to manage the certification process smoothly and increase the odds of clearing the audit, it is suggested to seek assistance from an ISO consultancy. You will come across many ISO consultants in Bangalore as well as other cities in India. However, not all of them may be proficient in the field. Thus, a bit of research is necessary before finalising a consultant if you want to achieve the desired result. The best way to assess their ability is by checking their clientele.
ISO certification is crucial for businesses as it helps build credibility. All you business owners planning to undergo. ISO certification must begin by understanding which certification is suitable as per your industry. Next, implement all the guidelines published by the ISO organization to meet ISO standards. Once you think you are ready for the audit you may seek assistance from a reputed ISO consultant. And complete the process smoothly and successfully. https://mind-drama.com/
