What is a standard?
A standard is a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.
What is ISO?
ISO is an abbreviation for the International Organization for Standardization. This organisation issues international standards called ISO
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer of voluntary International Standards.
Why is ISO certified?
The certificate documents compliance of a management system implemented in the company with requirements of a particular ISO standard.Most common motivation for ISO implementation and certification:
- acquiring greater market share through the competitive advantage of a better image
- often, it is a prerequisite for winning an important customer
- competitors have a certificate, using it as a competitive advantage
- a prerequisite for public contracts
- ensuring verifiable legal compliance
- making implementation and system processes in the company more transparent and stabilized
- reducing the need of operative interventions and problem solving
- defining responsibilities and competencies within the company
- preventing damages and financial losses
- increasing the companys value
Who can issue the ISO certificate?
Certificates for a limited time period, usually for three years, are issued by an accredited certification body. In order to keep the certificate valid, a periodic audit is performed, typically once a year. If fundamental deviations from the standard requirements are discovered, the extreme measure of the certificate withdrawal can be applied. This is a very rare, exceptional and unpleasant situation. Therefore, when a company decides to implement and follow an ISO standard, it is a voluntary commitment to continuous improvement and development, which is worth the company’s effort.
What are the benefits of ISO International Standards?
ISO International Standards ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality. For business, they are strategic tools that reduce costs by minimizing waste and errors, and increasing productivity. They help companies to access new markets, level the playing field for developing countries and facilitate free and fair global trade.
For business
International Standards are strategic tools and guidelines to help companies tackle some of the most demanding challenges of modern business. They ensure that business operations are as efficient as possible, increase productivity and help companies access new markets.
For government
ISO standards draw on international expertise and experience and are therefore a vital resource for governments when developing regulations.
National governments can make ISO standards a regulatory requirement (remember ISO standards themselves are voluntary). This has a number of benefits:
- Expert opinion - ISO standards are developed by experts. By integrating an ISO standard into national regulation, governments can benefit from the opinion of experts without having to call on their services directly.
- Opening up world trade - ISO standards are international and adopted by many governments. By integrating ISO standards into national regulation, governments help to ensure that requirements for imports and exports are the same the world over, therefore facilitating the movement of goods, services and technologies from country to country.