ISO 9001 is the best known and most credible quality management standard. It shows that a business takes a lot of care when it comes to its products and services. Millions of businesses around the world are looking to implement this certification, but why? This article looks at the 10 benefits of having ISO 9001 certification and how these can positively impact upon your business.
1. Improved chance of winning contracts
Having ISO 9001 certification can go a long way to helping a business to secure partnerships with both the public and private sectors. With public sector tenders, certification to ISO 9001 is a strong signal that a business is well-run and credible, removing the need for extensive due diligence. Similarly, many private sector organisations have made it a requirement for their suppliers to be certified to ISO 9001. It signifies that quality is taken seriously and can be relied on in all aspects of the business.
2. Higher customer satisfaction
One of the most important aspects of the ISO 9001 standard is tracking customer satisfaction and responding to any issues raised. Companies that seek and maintain ISO 9001 certification prove that they take this issue seriously.
3. Reduced product or service problems
ISO 9001 certified businesses are better prepared to deal with the unexpected. For instance, if a product is not up to scratch, there will be processes in place that help to ensure that the problem is dealt with efficiently and does not recur.
4. Better management
Appropriate analysis and reporting is a key factor in running a business well. The ISO 9001 standard helps businesses to get this right.
5. Increased consistency in business practices
Implementing the practices required by the standard will offer the type of consistency that benefits everyone, including customers. It ensures that processes within a business are common and understood which helps employees be clearer on the tasks involved, rather than spending time thinking about what to do or even making things up.
6. Enhanced employee satisfaction and job security
Staff enjoy greater job satisfaction and feel more secure about their jobs in a business where processes are well-defined and clearly managed.
7. Lower costs
Achieving and maintaining certification to ISO 9001 can lead to lower insurance premiums. This is because insurers recognise that these businesses have appropriate processes and controls that reduce risks.
8. Streamlined business processes
No business wants unnecessary paperwork and yet many are burdened by precisely that. The discipline inherent in the ISO 9001 standard means that business processes should be streamlined. Regular reviews mean that processes should not become flabby.
9. Continuous improvement
A good quality management system provides a solid foundation for improvements to be made year on year.
10. Overall business improvement
The aggregate effect of the nine individual benefits outlined above is an overall business improvement and consequently profit.
Whether you’ve been considering ISO 9001 certification for some time or you are researching it for the first time, we are certain you would see many of these benefits realised once you have implemented the requirements for ISO9001 certification. If you’re unsure what is required to achieve certification or you are looking for help in achieving it, you should contact us for a no-obligation discussion about your options. Whatever level your needs are we have a solution that is likely to suit.
