Like any other industry, the transport industry must maintain its own standards of safety and quality management.
Transport and Distribution Services need two aligned they’re human and physical assets with the demand to improve infrastructure, coordination with partners and clients as well as suppliers.
ISO certification provides the instrument necessary for transport and distribution agencies to develop and grow their competitive edge and remain viable as a business.
The ISO 9000 family of standards is a quality-management system formed by the International Organisation for Standardisation.
The series contains ISO 9000, 9001 and 9004, which refer to the fundamentals and vocabularies, requirements and management for the sustained success of an organisation, respectively.
Usually, when a company says it is ISO 9000 certified, it means it has met the requirements of ISO 9001.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 promotes worldwide industrial and commercial standards by setting a list of criteria as part of a quality management system. The standard ensures consumers’ rights are protected by confirming that products and services are of befitting quality.
An ISO 9001 certification pertains to quality management for a company’s facilities, staff, training, services and equipment.
Benefits of Having an ISO 9001 Certification
An ISO 9001 certification signals a company with a strong customer, safety and environmental focus, which provides various benefits, including:
- Competitive advantage within an industry
- Differentiating a business from others without an ISO certification
- Lower risks for business liabilities
- Providing a safety system compatibility
- Fewer product returns or refunds
- Boost business’ continual improvement and cost efficiency
- Improving the morale of an organisation’s staff
How to Apply for an ISO 9001 Certification
Ready to apply for the ISO 9001? The following four steps will set you on your way:
Understand the certification.
Research the certification purpose within your organisation and the steps you need to take to obtain it. Having a good understanding of this certification is crucial so that you will know what to expect.
Recognise the gap.
Compare your business’ current standards with ISO 9001’s requirements.
This will help you understand what you need to do to obtain the certification and stay certified, along with a rough timeline that you can work with to complete the process.
Prepare your documentation.
As with many other business-management systems and standard operating procedures, ISO 9001 requires you to keep proper documentation of your company’s organisational structure.
The responsibilities of each role and the standard procedures for information is also recorded.
You will also need to document the communication lines within your company, as well as the required actions to reach your goals and plans to maintain a smooth continuity with personnel changes.
Implement your plans.
You will need to undergo continuous training and improvements. After setting your QMS with the proper documentation, you will need to implement any actions and guidelines mentioned in your procedure manuals.
ISO 9001 is not a one-time certification, and you will need to adhere to the policies continually and undergo regular auditing to stay certified.
What is ISO 9001 Auditing?
Regular internal quality auditing needs to occur as part of the ISO 9001 certification to ensure that the procedures within your quality manual are being followed closely.
The audits will also ensure that any existing areas of concern for your company can be quickly identified and resolved.
External auditing is required also, for the same purposes mentioned above.
During the auditing process, your set QMS system will be evaluated to ensure that you are complying with the ISO standards. whether through the actions taken to meet your company objectives, your current documentation system and quality, or roles of each staff as mentioned in your procedure manuals.
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