ISO Consultant, the benefits of hiring one

Achieving ISO Certification for Staffordshire Business Owners

Benefits of employing a Quality Systems Consultancy ISO Consultant.

Obtaining a Quality Standard like ISO 9001 isn’t particularly complicated and it’s possible if you have the internal resources, you could probably do it all yourself. However, this may mean taking your eye of other possibly more pressing business issues, so for this reason many companies appoint a consultant to help them through the process and to ensure that all of the correct procedures are in place to get you through the registration process and with the best chance of success. If you’re unfamiliar with the way quality accreditation bodies operate, then you could find yourself tripped up by something that could have been easily avoided.

All of our Consultants are qualified Auditors with a wealth of experience and are experts on ISO. They will work with you to ensure that your Management System is a true reflection of how your business operates. We only write bespoke Management Systems for all our clients to ensure complete accuracy and integrity. As with any Management Systems that are implemented into business, they are only as good as the users and ISO is no different. If the systems are developed around what the business does and disciplines are implemented, ISO can be very useful. It is not essential to be certified by a UKAS or non UKAS certification body, but certification does help to show clients your Management System whether it be a Quality, Environmental or Health & Safety System has been independently verified and checked.

Quality Systems Consultancy offers a Gap Analysis Audit & Report Service of your current system against the requirements of your chosen ISO Standard(s) to identify the strengths as well as weaknesses. We will write a System adapted to what your business does to meet all of the ISO requirements. We will also issue training and awareness should this be required.

Typically we have found businesses struggle with identifying the context of the business and associated Interested parties along with some other associated clauses linked to these key areas that need to be addressed. We will provide you with as much or as little support as you require.

Internal auditing is one of the key elements of any good system. But audits are only as good as the auditor. A good Internal Auditor should be fully trained to be able to produce an audit schedule based on the requirements of the ISO Standard and prepare an audit plan based on the activities to be audited. We always recommend that auditing be planned, prepared and implemented in a systematic manner. Areas to be audited should be carried out by competent auditors who are impartial from the area being audited.

Quality Systems Consultancy offer Internal Auditing and Third Party Auditing as well as implementation of Management Systems – we also provide training for Internal Auditing. With every Audit we carry out we are thorough, professional and pragmatic to give you the best possible service.

Here are a few things to consider when implementing a Standard:

Are you covering all the clause numbers for your choice of ISO? Take time to read the Standard.  Do you have evidence to support you are compliant to the requirements? So many times when we audit companies we invariably ask for documented evidence to support statements made by the company, and invariably there is insufficient documents , or records have not been up dated for months on end. To achieve certification to ISO you have to have sufficient evidence in place to prove the compliance. This could be photo’s, certificates, toolbox talks, minutes from meetings etc. Having nothing can cause un-necessary non compliances and records must be kept up to date,

Our consultancy and auditing costs can be tailored to suit your budget and requirements, we will advise support where we think you need it. Some of our clients prefer to take advantage of our ISO Retainer Scheme to spread the cost, whilst other prefer to pay as they go-whatever suits you best. One thing is for sure, you can look forward to the following benefits as a business:

• Increase in employee morale.
• Efficiency and revenue.
• Improved record keeping and document control.
• Reduction in costs and returned products.
• Reduction in complaints.
• Globally recognised ISO Standards.
• Improved supplier relationships.
• Improved customer relationships.
• Expanded customer base.
• Increased customer confidence in your ability to supply products and services.
• Continuous improvement with use of non-conformity reporting and trend analysis.
• Better decision making and the opportunity to win more tenders and contracts and repeat business.

If you’re thinking of going for a ISO Registration and employing an ISO Consultant, call Andy Adams at Quality Systems Consultancy on 01889 881887 / 07900 558547 or for an informal and confidential discussion. Our head office is located in Staffordshire and we work throughout the UK.

Andy, our ISO Consultant has 30 years wealth of experience and knowledge, is a chartered member of IOSH and a fully qualified ISO Consultant and UKAS Auditor.

If you are looking to implement or audit your Quality ISO 9001:2015, Environmental ISO 14001:2015 or ISO 45001:2018 Management Systems or require any of the above services please call 01889 881887 or email andy@qscconsultancy.co.uk.