ISO 9001:2015 is the most widely recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard. It helps organisations of all sizes and sectors improve their performance and meet customer expectations while demonstrating a genuine commitment to quality.
The ISO 9001 standard defines how to implement and continually improve an effective QMS. Implementing it means your organisation has built effective processes and trained staff to repeatedly deliver flawless products or services.
For those wondering what an ISO certification is, it’s a formal recognition that a company meets the requirements of an ISO standard, verified through an independent audit by an accredited body. ISO 9001 certification, therefore, confirms that your quality management system has been assessed and proven effective.
The Seven Quality Management Principles
The ISO 9001 standard is built on seven core quality management principles that provide the foundation for continuous improvement:
- Customer Focus – Understanding and meeting customer needs.
- Leadership – Establishing purpose and direction throughout the organisation.
- Engagement of People – Involving all employees to use their abilities for the benefit of the organisation.
- Process Approach – Managing activities as interrelated processes that function as a system.
- Improvement – Making continual improvement a permanent objective.
- Evidence-Based Decision-Making – Making informed decisions through data analysis and evaluation.
- Relationship Management – Building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
Together, these principles form the backbone of ISO 9001 to make sure organisations don’t just meet requirements but they build high-quality businesses that value accountability.
Why Is ISO 9001 Important?
With over one million certificates issued to organisations in 189 countries, ISO 9001:2015 is widely adopted worldwide.
It’s part of the ISO 9000 family, which promotes the seven core quality management principles previously outlined, but ISO 9001 is the only one that can be formally certified. While certification is voluntary, the benefits are substantial:
Business Benefits of ISO 9001
For a business with ISO 9001 certification, various advantages can enhance overall performance and customer satisfaction. By demonstrating strong quality control processes, organisations naturally boost customer confidence and trust. The standard also provides methods for dealing with customer complaints to make sure issues are handled effectively. Not only this, but ISO9001 helps organisations to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste and continuously promote ongoing improvements with regular audits and reviews.
What are the ISO 9001 Requirements?
To achieve accreditation, an organisation must meet a defined set of ISO 9001 requirements:
- Context of the Organisation: Define internal and external factors affecting quality objectives.
- Leadership: Establish clear direction and policies from top management.
- Planning: Set measurable goals and develop strategies for improvement.
- Support: Provide adequate resources, training, and documentation.
- Operation: Implement consistent operational procedures.
- Performance Evaluation: Monitor and audit the system’s effectiveness.
- Improvement: Use data-based actions to continually refine processes..
The ISO 9001 Certification Process
Earning ISO 9001 certification requires preparation, implementation, and independent assessment by a recognised certification body. In the UK, certification is most credible when granted by a UKAS-accredited body, ensuring impartiality and competence.
The typical steps include:
- Gap Analysis: Reviewing current processes and identifying areas not yet aligned with the standard.
- Implementation: Making required changes, defining new procedures, and training teams.
- Certification Audit: An accredited auditor assesses documentation and verifies adherence to processes.
- Once achieved, certification is maintained through annual surveillance audits and continuous improvement.
ISO 9001 in Practice at Bermondsey Electronics
Bermondsey Electronics has been accredited to ISO9001 since 2022. The business continues to put itself forward for accreditation as the management system is integral to all our work.
Internally we follow a documented development procedure. We start by gathering customer requirements. We write a test plan. For customers in industries requiring it, we complete a traceability matrix, allowing traceability of requirements to deliverables. We do the expert work and return with a test report. For those customers requiring it, we may take part in product risk assessments. We do this for compliance with third party quality requirements, as needed.
There are other ways to develop products, but for customers prepared to engage in the process, there’s no more efficient way to scope the work than this. It helps us all keep within agreed scope and reduces the risk of requirements being missed.
ISO9001 certification further qualifies the process by expanding scope out from the core development process to cover the business as a whole. We have more in place than just a development process. The time and cost of certification demonstrates a willingness on our part to improve our business, not just our development process, continuously.
We have taken the decision internally not to pursue further accreditation. The Company does not want to be pigeon holed into e.g. the automotive sector, which further accreditation might imply. We can however deliver services and documentation to comply with these standards.
We do not just make bold claims about how we do business, we carry them out too.
Contact Bermondsey Electronics Today
Achieving ISO 9001 certification is not just about compliance, it’s about creating a sustainable framework for excellence. For Bermondsey Electronics, it signifies our commitment to delivering consistent, reliable outcomes for every client.
If you’re looking for a development and testing partner whose processes align with the ISO 9001 standard, contact us today.
