Lets answer some Frequently Asked Questions...
How long will it take to achieve certification?
This is a common question and there is no specific answer. There are a number of variables involved that will impact a companies timeline in achieving certification. Variables such as: company size, resources allocated to achieving certification, current business processes (or lack of), number of standards involved in certification, use of consulting services, scope of business activities, interested parties requirements.
To find out more information on this question, please do get in touch and we will discuss specifics about your business.
Can I work towards achieving certification on multiple standards at once?
Yes, it is possible for a business to achieve certification to multiple standards simultaneously. You will develop a system known as an "Integrated Management System" to manage both standards alongside each other as well as alongside the current business processes.
Likewise if the business already holds certification to a standard and wishes to adopt a new standard, this can be added to the current system to develop an IMS.
Do you need one certification to get another?
In short, No.
There is no requirement at all to hold a minimum level of certification or to achieve certification on one standard before going for another.
You can pick and choose the most relevant standard to your organisation and work towards that certification. If you then wish to add another standard to your repertoire, you simply repeat the process to gain certification to the new standard.
How much is achieving certification likely to cost?
This answer has a broad range, largely depending on how prepared your business already is upon embarking on the journey to becoming certified. If there are already systems and processes in place, and slight amendments can be made, that will limit the amount of work required from a consultant and therefore cost. The amount of and length of audit visits will be dictated by the size of the organisation and scale/complexity of operations. Again cost will be impacted either way. To find out more information on this question, please do get in touch and we will discuss specifics about your business.
What are the benefits of ISO certification?
There are many benefits to becoming certified to ISO standards depending on how you approach the standard. Yes, it can be an outward reflection of the standards your business operates to, but also can be an incredibly useful tool for an organisation to adopt, to continually improve, monitor their performance, identify weak points within a system and plan changes required to operate as efficiently as possible.
Do we need to have somebody in house to manage the system?
When working to become certified, a business is required to appoint personnel for roles & responsibilities at relevant levels throughout the organisation, in order for the management system to operate as intended. It is not a requirement to have somebody within the business that solely manages the system like a "quality manager" for example, but there is a need for somebody or group of people to take responsibility for the system, its implementation, and maintenance.
Will being ISO certified help me to grow my customer base?
For some industries and under the right circumstances... yes. Although this isn't the primary objective of adopting an ISO management system, often we work alongside companies who interested parties i.e. customers, local authorities etc, require all suppliers of products and services to hold certain standards. The most common examples we see of this are 9001 - Quality, 14001 - Environmental & 45001 - Health and safety.
