How Getting an ISO Certification is the Best Decision for Your Business

The intricate and complex world of trade and industry needs to keep up with time and humanity’s constant development. Therefore, each member of the business world must adhere to standards regarding the services or products they offer; following the said standards will help maintain and prosper the commerce.

So, who sets these standards? The organization responsible for setting worldwide industrial and commercial standards is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The ISO is an independent organization that aims to promote established standards that aid product and service providers worldwide.

Some countries have laws requiring companies and industries to get an ISO certification to ensure that they provide people with quality services and goods. To inform you more about ISO certification and why a company needs to have it, we provide you with a list of valuable facts.

What is ISO certification?

Owning an ISO certificate is proof that the company is following international industrial and commercial standards. It guarantees that the entire system of the business, from management to the processing of goods or services, clicks all the requirements that the ISO demands.

Here are five systems for standardization from the ISO responsible for different concerns and a quick explanation of what each encompasses.

• ISO 9001. This is known as Quality Management System, and it ensures that the holder of this certificate provides good services and meets customer demands.
• ISO 45001. The Occupational Health and Safety Management System certifies that the workplace is safe and free of health hazards for all employees. 
• ISO 14001. The Environmental Management System guarantees that the business’s environmental impact is within acceptable bounds and constantly improved. 
• ISO 22000. This is also known as the Food Safety Management System, and it ensures that food products are safely handled throughout their processing.
• ISO 27001. The Information Security Management System certifies that all digital information considered sensitive and essential is appropriately managed.

But how did ISO come up with these standards? The ISO has 165 members divided into three categories; the member bodies (124), correspondents (37), and subscribers (4). Each of these members has a vital role in making and implementing the ISO policies. 

The member bodies are involved with the development of the standards through meetings. At the same time, correspondents observe the progress of the meeting; subscribers get updated by the changes in policies yet cannot participate in any of the meetings.

Another thing that one should be informed of is although ISO is responsible for setting the international standards, they do not give the certifications. So the ones responsible for handling out ISO certificates are certification bodies warranted by accreditation bodies.

Why is ISO certification necessary?

The standard set by ISO influences the lives of many people. From what people choose to eat to the vehicles they ride from one place to another, the manufacturer or providers of such products and services follow the standards set by the ISO.

Because companies follow the ISO standards, the consumers are guaranteed that what they get are quality, safe, and dependable goods and services. In addition, consumers and other people involved are also assured that their subscribed company has a certified quality management system.

Owners of ISO certificates are sure to meet the average expectations of their customers. The companies are expected to increase their productivity and minimize errors and waste, thus, achieving remarkable progress in their growth.

There are numerous advantages when a business is ISO certified. One edge is the upgraded system management and efficient processing of products and services. This is one of the goals that ISO has kept in mind when they formulate their standards.

Another advantage is the increase in consumers and customer satisfaction. One proof that a business is steadily developing is the number of customers and the rocketing level of satisfaction from the said customers. Being ISO certified helps to achieve this.  

One of the good things that come from being ISO certified is it leads the company to be more competitive in the marketing world. Competition pushes the company to progress from their status and improve their credibility and integrity as well.

The ISO ultimately wants to impart a better way of providing products and services to the people. And so, this is the goal they want to extend to the producers who follow their set of standards. Such a mission reflects their organization’s passion for making the world a better place.   

Takeaways

ISO helps create credible international standards, but the companies and industries also have to cooperate by following these standards and implementing them to their systems to achieve the best outcome from their products and services. This cooperation is the key to a steadfastly developing economic world.

Companies or groups that have ISO certification do extremely well in their fields. ISO helps solidify reputation and certainly brings in positive attention, along with a number of possible clients.