A quality management system is a way of defining how an organization can meet the requirements of its customers and other stakeholders affected by its work. Other ISO standards look at other types of management systems, such as ISO 14001 for environmental management or the upcoming ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management.

ISO 9001 is based on the idea of continual improvement. It is designed to be flexible enough for use by many different types of organisation, so does not specify what the objectives relating to “quality” or “meeting customer needs” should be. Instead, it requires organisations to define these objectives themselves and continually improve their processes in order to reach them.

Once these targets have been attained, they must be reassessed in a quest for continual improvement. A good quality management system can bring benefits to organisations of all sizes and all sectors, from the small companies to public sector organisations employing thousands of people. In fact, when ISO 9001:2015 was revised, one of the main improvements was to make it accessible to all types of enterprises, including service-orientated organisations.

Implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) will help you:

• Assess the overall context of your organisation to define who is affected by your work and what they expect from you. This will enable you to clearly state your objectives and identify new business opportunities.

• Put your customers first, making sure you consistently meet their needs and enhance their satisfaction. This can lead to repeat custom, new clients and increased business for your organisation.

• Work in a more efficient way as all your processes will be aligned and understood by everyone in the business or organisation. This increases productivity and efficiency, bringing internal costs down.

• Meet the necessary statutory and regulatory requirements.

• Expand into new markets, as some sectors and clients require ISO 9001 before doing business.

• Identify and address the risks associated with your organisation.

Certification to ISO 9001 is not a requirement and you can use the standard to improve the way you work without being certified. However, third-party certification – when an independent certification body audits your practices against the requirements of the standard – is a way of signalling to your buyers, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders that you have implemented the standard properly.

For some companies, however, third party certification may be a requirement. For example, some governments or public bodies may only contract suppliers that have been certified to ISO 9001.

It's important to recognise ISO certification is not a single event, but rather an ongoing process that ensures your business complies with the requirements of its chosen standard.

The certification cycle is a three-year programme which starts with the Stage One audit. We investigate whether or not you have successfully managed to comply with the proposed scope and the targets you have set for your company. While this may show up some weaknesses and areas for improvement, this process is designed to be constructive, preparing you for the Stage Two audit.

Typically around 30 days later you will then have a Stage Two audit. This confirms that your processes and systems are free from nonconformities. Again, we will evaluate your performance and efficiency and make the recommendations for certification. There may still be a need to address nonconformities following this audit, but it's at this point you get your ISO certification.

The following two years will see annual Surveillance Audits by us. During these, all the elements covered in the Stage Two audit are re-assessed with a view to ensuring that all the original systems and processes are operating as specified and producing the correct outcomes.

Following these two years of Surveillance Audits, you will then get a Recertification Audit. Your ISO certificate is valid for three years after its initial issue. Recertification requires you to undergo an audit similar to the initial auditing process without the need for a Stage One audit.

Choosing AAA for your ISO certification means partnering with a trusted and experienced team dedicated to making the process as easy and efficient as possible. Our fully remote, expert-guided approach ensures that you can achieve certification quickly without the hassle of on-site audits or complicated procedures.

We offer some of the most competitive pricing in the industry, starting at just £695+VAT, making high-quality certification accessible to all businesses. Additionally, our detailed guidance and support throughout the process ensure that you meet all ISO standards with confidence, resulting in a certification that enhances your credibility and opens up new opportunities for growth.