ISO standards are reviewed every five years to establish whether a revision is necessary for the marketplace. The latest iteration of the international standard for quality management systems is ISO 9001:2015. Below, we outline what businesses need to know about updating their ISO 9001:2008 certification to ISO 9001:2015.

Why Do I Need to Update ISO 9001 Certification?

If you are currently certified to ISO 9001:2008, you will be required to update your quality management systems in order comply with current ISO 9001 standard. In 2015, the International Organisation for Standardisation revised the 2008 version of the quality management standard.

When Do I Need to Update to ISO 9001:2015?

ISO permits a three year transitional period for businesses to achieve compliance with the revised ISO 9001 standard. If your company is certified to either ISO 9001:2008, or ISO 14001:2004 (the standard for environmental management systems), you will need to become certified to the updated standard before September, 2018. However, businesses who update their ISO 9001 compliance sooner rather than later will benefit from improved quality management systems. 

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The ISO 9001 standard has been revised to be more compatible with other management systems standards, including ISO 14001. Postponing your transition to the updated standard can present the risk of a drawn out transition process, as businesses scramble to update their certification close to the September 2018 deadline.

How Can the ISO 9001:2015 Standard Benefit My Business?

ISO 9001:2015 provides direct value to organisations. According to ISO, the revision ‘follows a higher level structure, making it easier to use in conjunction with other management system standards, with increased importance given to risk.’ 

The revisions to the ISO 9001 standard are intended to make it suitable for all small to large scale industries and businesses, including those in the services sector. ISO 9001:2015 also features a stronger emphasis on leadership participation and simplified language and terms. 

Businesses are realising the potential of using certification to ISO 9001 to meet objectives, enhance competitiveness, and expand market share. A commitment to regularly improve the quality and customer satisfaction through quality management, provides a point of difference which can drive sales, increase profit margins, and gain clients and investors.

How Do I Update My Certification to ISO 9001:2015?

If you are currently certified to ISO 9001:2008, you will need to update your quality management systems to respond to the revised standard. At Compliance Council, we have designed a 3-Step Transition Process, so you can upgrade your ISO 9001 certification without difficulty:

Step 1 - A gap analysis comparing your current systems to those outlined in the new standard.

Step 2 - Generating required system documents.

Step 3 - Implementation and review of documentation, to ensure your systems are compliant to the updated standard, and to ensure you will reach certification when visited by a third-party certification body.

Updating your ISO 9001 certification doesn’t have to be a hassle. To speak to a Compliance Council compliance consultant about updating your certification to the ISO 9001 standard, get in contact with us today.