ISO 9001 Gap Analysis

We’ve talked about ISO and what it does. But you’ve probably seen “ISO 9001:2015” and wondered what that was all about. You’ve asked yourself, “Hmm, what is the ‘2015’ all about? What is the 2015 revision standard everyone keeps talking about? And what does it have to do with me?”

Well here are the answers to these questions, as well as a few other basic facts about ISO and quality management systems (QMS).

Facts you Need to Know

1. Why do quality management systems exist?

Quality management systems help to improve processes and training, reduce waste, lower costs, engage staff and set direction for organizations.

2. What does ISO mean?

ISO stands for the International Standards Organization. ISO sets guidelines for a variety of businesses. It has published more than 21,000 international standards.

ISO conformity means that your product, service or system has been assessed against and meets the requirements of one or more of these established ISO standards.

3. What is the 2015 revision standard?

All ISO standards are reviewed every five years to establish if a revision is required to keep it current and relevant for the marketplace.

ISO 9001:2015 is designed to respond to the latest trends and be compatible with other management systems, such as ISO 14001. (In case you were wondering, the focus of ISO 14001 is on environmental management tools and standards.)

What is the 2015 Revision Standard

Creating the 2015 revision standard required three years of work by experts from nearly 95 countries to bring the standard up to date with modern needs, according to ISO.

As Nigel Croft, chairman of the ISO subcommittee that developed and revised the standard, says in a post on the ISO site, ISO 9001:2015 is less prescriptive than its predecessor. Instead, it focuses on performance.

“We have achieved this by combining the process approach with risk-based thinking, and employing the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle at all levels in the organization,” he says. “Knowing that today’s organizations will have several management standards in place, we have designed the 2015 version to be easily integrated with other management systems. The new version also provides a solid base for sector-quality standards (automotive, aerospace, medical industries, etc.), and takes into account the needs of regulators.”

4. What came before ISO 9001:2015?

Before the 2015 revision standard, ISO 9001:2008 was used which can be seen as an amendment to the previous significant change that occurred at the release of ISO 9001:2000 where the heart of the standard was placed squarely in process management.

Contact Us for Specifics

Are you still wondering: What is the 2015 revision standard, and what does it have to do with me? … That’s OK. We are here to explain it to you and give you more specific answers as they pertain to your business. Feel free to contact us through our Trident QMS website or by phone at 520-314-4343.

What is the 2015 Revision Standard

 

Posted in General Audit Topics, ISO 9001:2015 and tagged , .

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