ISO 9001 - Certification of quality management systems
What does ISO 9001 stand for?
Since the late 1980s, the ISO9001 standard provides the basis for certification of all management system standards (e. g., ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001). Wordwilde, it is the best-known voluntary standard for organisations of all kinds: There are over one million nationally and internationally issued quality management certificates according to ISO 9001 (ISO-Survey).
Quality management is all about meeting stakeholders’ expectations concerning your products and services. The ISO 9001 defines minimum requirements that an organisation must implement in order to sustainably meet the expectations and needs of its customers. The standard supports businesses to reduce costs, increase productivity, and boost customer satisfaction. The most important basic principle in this context is continuous analysis and improvement of one's own performance - at all levels.
What are the advantages of an ISO 9001 certification?
- Custom loyalty: You will gain trust and increase customer and partner satisfaction through your promise to constantly improve - especially in the B2B environment.
- Cost reduction: You will reduce sources of error, analyse targeted opportunities for improvement and increase efficiency of workflows and processes. This way, your organisation will reduce costs in the long term and thus increase its profits.
- Legal certainty: Your organisation obtains documented and certified proof that it has fulfilled all obligations to avoid or correct possible errors. This provides legal safeguarding.
- Competition: More and more companies are demanding ISO certificates from their suppliers. With a certification according to ISO 9001, you will increase your market opportunities and competitiveness.
Which companies need an ISO 9001 certification?
According to the BAM study, companies in the logistics, manufacturing and production sectors in particular, but also in the service sector, are certified according to ISO 9001. The reasons can be manifold.
Constantly increasing customer requirements are leading to more and more companies demanding ISO 9001 certification from their suppliers.
In many industries, certification according to ISO 9001 has become standard and is therefore a prerequisite for competitiveness, for example in metal processing and the plastics industry.
Export-oriented companies in particular need ISO 9001 certification to gain access to international markets, e.g. in logistics or trade.
The current revision ISO 9001:2015 is process orientated. This makes the standard applicable to classic production companies as well as service providers. Typical examples are educational institutions and training providers, service companies
(e. g. building cleaning or guarding) and or even public administrations.
The amount of documentation required in the current 2015 edition of the standard is relatively little. This rebuts the common prejudice that everything is only about documenting processes and activities.
Explicitly required documents mentioned in ISO 9001:
- Quality policy (chapter 5.2)
- Quality objectives (chapter 6.2)
- Reports of internal audits (chapter 9.2)
- Management review (chapter 9.3)
However, the specifications and records that your company commits itself to document for internal or exernal considerations are more relevant.
You can receive comprehensive information on this in our Quality Management course. Please refer to GUTcert Academy for further information.
You will receive a detailed checklist for ISO 9001:2015 including documentation requirements via your exclusive access to our our
Download Area once you assign us with the certification process.
This way, you may optimally prepare for the audit.
Consultancy funding and a variety of different funding programmes support you in establishing your quality management system - all the way to certification readiness. The services vary depending on the federal state.
Consultancy services for quality management systems according to ISO 9001 are promoted within the framework of the SME consultancy promotion programme of the Federal Government "Promotion of Entrepreneurial Know-How" (consultancy promotion from 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2022). Information on the funding programme can be found at BAFA (Federal Office of Export Control).
- Advice on the introduction of a QM system with a view to certification
- Consultancy due to loss of personnel and knowledge and to remedy deviations from certification audits
- Advice in the context of company development and necessary major changes to the QM system, e.g. introduction of further management systems
- Consultation due to the changeover to the new standard revision of ISO 9001 - the next revision is already pending!
Approximately every seven years, ISO 9001 is reviewed to ensure that it is up to date. Workshops have already been held in 2019 in preparation for a possible revision of ISO 9001:2015 in 2023.
In addition, the Strategic Planning and Operations Task Group (SPOTG) of the ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC176, Subcommittee SC2, had a web-based survey conducted last year among approximately 8,400 companies worldwide. The results from 2020 are available and the recommendations from the survey were accepted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Accordingly, ISO 9001:2015 will continue to apply and will not be revised for the time being.
However, a new review of the current ISO 9001 is planned until 2030. This will certainly include new topics from current social and technological developments:
- Industry 4.0 and the increasing digitalisation in the world of work
- Knowledge management and artificial intelligence (AI)
- The role of the environment and climate protection in the context of interested parties
- Quality of products and services in the context of globalisation and internationalisation of supply chains
On the basis of a quality management system, other management systems can usually be easily implemented, e.g. for the environment, energy, climate management or occupational safety. The introduction of the High Level Structure (HLS) has made the integration of management systems much easier.
If your company has introduced several management systems, they can be audited and certified in combination. ISO 9001 can also be audited in combination with regular sustainability reporting. It also offers affected companies the possibility to comply with the requirements of the Supply Chain Sourcing Obligations Act (LkSG), including the communication obligation.
With these integrated management systems, a joint audit for certification can take place.
Regardless of whether integrated or combined - a simultaneous certification of different systems always offers additional, also financial advantages. We would be happy to provide you with a non-binding offer.
ISO 9001 Quality Management Guide for SMEs
The 15-part guide series contains comprehensible explanations of the basics of a QMS and the corresponding standard requirements. Special emphasis is placed on good practice examples, audit focal points, the benefits for the company and typical "findings" from audits. We plan to complete the series by spring 2024.
ISO 9001:2015 for SMEs: sensible, uncomplicated, beneficial! - Part 1
Learn what a quality management system according to ISO 9001 is, what advantages it offers and what you need to implement it.
ISO 9001:2015 for SMEs: sensible, uncomplicated, beneficial! - Part 2
Learn more about the processes in the context of quality management according to ISO 9001 and how they can be better planned and evaluated.
ISO 9001:2015 for SMEs: sensible, uncomplicated, beneficial! - Part 3
Be excited....
The certification process for ISO 9001 is based on the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In Germany the requirements of the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) for the certification of management systems DIN EN ISO / IEC 17021-1 apply as well.
Details on the GUTcert certification process may be found in our Information Sheet AA144EN_Certification_Process.
- Preparation of the two-stage Initial Audit
- Stage 1 Audit (as document review or on site)
- Stage 2 Audit
- Certification decision
- Certification Mark
A certificate according to ISO 9001 is valid for three years. The certificate is maintained through annual surveillance audits. Every three years, the
ISO 9001 certification may be extended for another three years through a recertification audit.
The costs for a certification according to ISO 9001 depend on the scope to be certified. This includes size and activity of your company, i. e. the number of sites and employees. Existing certifications may reduce the audit time and thus the costs.
Any non-applicable standard requirements may also lower the audit time and therefore costs of certification. For ISO 9001, this is often:
- chapter 8.3 "Development of products and services" or
- chapter 7.1.5 "Resources for monitoring and measurement" (measuring and testing equipment).
You are welcome to contact Sindy Prommnitz, if you have any questions (phone.: +49 30 2332021-45) or to simply request an offer online.
Tired of waiting forever for audit reports? Are you looking for competent contact personnel when it comes to your company's certification? Or do you simply value new impulses for your company?
Do not wait for your new certification cycle: a change of your certification body is also possible during the annual surveillance audits. For more information look up our change service.
Competent auditors: In Germany we work with over 100 auditors, including industry experts for manufacturing and processing, logistics, trade and service providers. We will find the right auditor for your company.
Internationally positioned: GUTcert is part of the AFNOR Group. With more than 1,800 auditors in over 100 countries, we offer our services worldwide.
Fast and uncomplicated: Your personal contact person accompanies you from the offer to the certificate handover. With commitment, creativity, and conviction, our team is also available to you by telephone for questions at short notice.
Audits with added value: An audit as an examination? At GUTcert, we see audits as an opportunity. In addition to checking the ISO 9001 requirements, audits primarily provide motivation and appreciation for the work of your quality team. We always look at organisations holistically and provide impetus for improvements. The positive feedback of our customers confirms this.
Certification as a matter of trust: GUTcert strives for long-term partnerships with its clients, auditors, and cooperation partners. Internationally positioned as well as small and medium-sized companies have been placing their trust in us for years.