The ISO 9001:2015 Standards - Here's What You Need to Know

January 26, 2015

The ISO 9001:2015 Standards: Here’s What You Need to Know…

In the midst of ACDi’s completion of our ISO 9001:2008 audit, we decided to take a look at what future ISO audits will hold for the industry. The last changes to the ISO 9001 came in 2008, bringing few changes compared to the previous revision in 2000. These standards are reviewed every five years by the ISO/TC 176, the committee responsible for the standard. It takes years beyond the review period to fully finalize and implement the new rules. The ISO 9001:2015 revision will be the fifth since the organization was founded in 1949. (Check out the revision history and proposed ISO 2015 timeline here)

With the rapid changes seen over the last decade surrounding technology and the faces that make up the companies certified, there has been a growing need to revise and update the standards. Digitizing processes and records, increased diversity in the workplace, as well as the need for constant innovation to keep up with current trends within the EMS and OEM industries, have all called for change in the structure and verbiage contained within the current version. Increased environmental awareness and responsibility coupled with globalization require businesses to remain more connected and current to ensure efficient control over their processes.

The changes in terminology found in the new revision attempt to include companies who provide not only goods, but services too while recognizing the movement towards digital records and manuals versus printed handbooks.

Terminology changes:

Product ? Goods and Services

Documents and records ? Documented information

Continual improvement ? Improvement

The standard’s structure has changed and now contains 10 general divisions: scope, normative references, terms and definitions, support, performance evaluation, performance improvement, context of the organization, leadership, planning, and operation.

While there is continued focus on mitigating risk and better metrics for tracking and improving processes in the new revision, is this not what quality management systems are about in the first place: improvement and innovation to better satisfy customers and increase returns?

The current draft is available for viewing if you would like to take a peek into what the new revision holds, but over the next three years you will have time to determine what this means for your company, as well as prepare for the new regulations. A final release of the new requirements is expected in September of 2015.

Source:

Getting Ready for ISO 9001:2015 – A snapshot of the revised standard’s context, focus, and goals by Paula Oddy 5/13/2014 https://www.qualitydigest.com/inside/quality-insider-article/getting-ready-iso-90012015.html

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