Why should I get ISO Certification?
What are the reasons for a company seeking certification to either or both AS/NZS ISO 9001:2008 Quality management systems and AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems.
From my experience companies approach these two standards from two different viewpoints, and it is vital that before anyone decides to proceed with considering these standards they understand why they are thinking about them.
The two viewpoints are as follows:
- A potential market advantage in gaining certification or all your competitors already have it
If this is the reason that you are thinking about these two standards then you will need to know the likely costs to implement and the ongoing compliance costs. The driver here will be a risk based financial calculation of costs versus potential increased revenue.
- Wishing to use the standards as a means of improving the efficiency of the business.
With this reason while the costs to implement are still relevant, the strongest driver will be an estimate of the additional efficiencies that will be gained with using this system.
Of these two viewpoints the first option, while potentially easier to implement (as the drivers are very clear), does not ensure any lasting benefit to the company. Long term there is the danger that staff will not realise the potential benefits of the system and if additional sales are not forth coming then the advantage of holding on to the certification will be questioned.
If a company wishes to progress the second view point, significant senior management commitment will be required. This is due to the changes that may be identified through the process. In undertaking this review the full benefits of the systems can be utilised.
One of the strengths of the ISO system is its founding on a process of continuous improvement. The standards therefore provide a framework for a business to continually improve its systems, and hence its potential profitability.
For a company progressing with the second viewpoint, the actual certification is a pleasant byproduct of process of continual business improvement. In addition the culture that is attained in the company will be more firmly based and the likelihood of maintaining the certification will be strengthened.