ISO 9001 Standards & ISO 14001 Standards

In order to assist organizations to have a full understanding of the new ISO 9001:2008, it may be useful to have an insight on the revision process, how this revision reflects the inputs received from users of the standard, and the consideration given to benefits and impacts during its development.

Prior to the commencement of a revision (or amendment) to a management system standard, ISO/Guide 72:2001 Guidelines for the justification and development of management system standards recommends that a “Justification Study” is prepared to present a case for the proposed project and that it outlines details of the data and inputs used to support its arguments. In relation to the development of ISO 9001:2008 user needs were identified from the following:

-the results of a formal “Systematic Review” on ISO 9001:2000 that was performed by the members of ISO/TC 176/SC2 during 2003-2004
-feedback from the ISO/TC 176/Working Group on “Interpretations”
-the results of an extensive worldwide “User Feedback Survey on ISO 9001 and
The Justification Study identified the need for an amendment, provided that the impact on users would be limited and that changes would only be introduced when there were clear benefits to users.

The key focuses of the ISO 9001:2008 amendment were to enhance the clarity of ISO 9001:2000 and to enhance its compatibility with ISO 14001:2004.

A tool for assessing the impacts versus benefits for proposed changes was created to assist the drafters of the amendment in deciding which changes should be included, and to assist in the verification of drafts against the identified user needs. The following decision making principles were applied:

1) No changes with high impact would be incorporated into the standard;

2) Changes with medium impact would only be incorporated when they provided a correspondingly medium or high benefit to users of the standard;

3) Even where a change was low impact, it had to be justified by the benefits it delivered to users, before being incorporated.

The changes incorporated in this ISO 9001:2008 edition were classified in terms of impact into the following categories:

-No changes or minimum changes on user documents, including records

-No changes or minimum changes to existing processes of the organization

-No additional training required or minimal training required

-No effects on current certifications

The benefits identified for the ISO 9001:2008 edition fall into the following categories:

-Provides clarity

-Increases compatibility with ISO 14001.

-Maintains consistency with ISO 9000 family of standards.

-Improves translatability.

Why Implement ISO 14001 Environmental Management System?

Why Implement ISO 14001 Environmental Management System?

All business, regardless of size and activity, has some impact on the environment. An Environment Management System (EMS) is a tool that allows a company identify and address their particular environmental impacts.

Environmental issues should not be considered in isolation to other management issues. By adopting an EMS a company is making a commitment to incorporate environmental issues into existing management systems.

Environmental management is based on the concept of continuous improvement in environmental performance over time. An EMS will continuously change as a company changes, for example as a business expands and takes on new staff. The EMS must also take account of external factors, such as changes in environmental legislation, technology, and market competition.

Ultimately the aim of the environmental management approach adopted by a company is to prevent or minimise the environmental impacts of operations, while retaining competitiveness. Environmental management is more than simply managing environmental impacts after they are created. Effective environmental management should aim to prevent or minimise the environmental impacts in the first place.

All companies are under increasing pressure to ensure the proper management of the environmental impacts of their activities. Small businesses are subject to increasingly stringent environmental legislation, reflecting the increasing importance of environmental issues in political debate. Customers, suppliers, staff and the general public increasingly demand a commitment from business to better manage the environmental impacts of their activities.

Benefits of an EMS include:

- Cost savings from reduced raw material and resource consumption, e.g. better management of your energy and water needs and consumption.

- Reduced waste collection, treatment and disposal costs.

- Compliance with legal obligations.

- Reduced risk and liability associated with poor environmental performance.

- Improved relationships with key stake holders e.g. customers, suppliers, staff, regulatory authorities and local communities.

Third Party Certification of ISO 14001 Standards

Third Party Certification of ISO 14001 Standards

A recognised international accredited EMS standard such as ISO 14001 is a positive message that can be easily conveyed and recognised by customers, suppliers, staff, investors, local authorities and other regulators.

However a company does not necessarily require third part certification for its EMS. A company EMS is a system designed to best meet the specific requirements of that particular company.

Third party certification does provide a useful support or framework within which to develop an EMS. By achieving an internationally recognised EMS standard, a company demonstrates an ongoing commitment to external stakeholders to manage its environmental impacts in a responsible manner. If a company decides not to develop an EMS that meets an accredited standard, the framework provided by these standards may still be useful as a starting point to developing an effective EMS tailored to the specific requirements of a company.

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) international accredited standard for environmental management, the ISO

14001, is the most widely used and accepted EMS standard. This standard is voluntary, certifiable and is accepted by

stakeholders across the world as the preferred model for environmental management.

The European Union recognises ISO 14001 which is considered a stepping stone for the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). EMAS is a management tool for companies to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance, incorporating the ISO14001 environmental management system. Participation in EMAS is voluntary.

Basic Steps in Environmental Management System

Basic Steps in Environmental Management System

1. Preparation

- Consult and involve all staff at an early stage. This may include discussion and training sessions on environmental issues to encourage involvement and better awareness and understanding.

- Identify staff with knowledge/expertise/understanding of environmental issues within the company.

- Assign responsibility to one member of staff or a team.

- Identify external expertise and support e.g. Enterprise Ireland provide funding towards meeting the costs of hiring an external consultant to assist in the installation of an EMS.

- Identify environmental objectives to be achieved.

- Develop an environmental action plan to achieve these environmental objectives.

2. Identifying the Environmental Impacts

Before a company can begin to better manage its environmental impacts it must first identify and quantify the issues. An environmental audit will help identify the key environmental impacts of company activities. This may include:

- Raw materials used, e.g. use of nonrenewable resources and hazardous chemicals.

- The production process, e.g. waste generated, air, noise and water emissions.

- Distribution of goods e.g. fossil fuels used in transport of raw materials and final product.

- Use of final products, e.g. what packaging is necessary.

- End of life, e.g. collection, recycling and disposal.

As you undertake your environmental audit you should also consider:

- Your environmental legal obligations

- Market and financial pressures for improving environmental performance, e.g. have any of your competitors achieved certification to the international EMS standard ISO 14001?

3. Opportunities to prevent and minimise environmental impacts

Set realistic objectives and targets for improving your environmental performance as part of an action plan.

What Should Be Documented In Quality Management System?

What Should Be Documented In Quality Management System?

Clause 4.2.1 in ISO 9000 Standards requires quality management system documentation to include 5 types
of document:
(a) Quality policy and objectives
(b) Quality manual
(c) Documented procedures
(d) Documents needed to ensure the effective planning, operation and control of processes
(e) Records
Other than the requirements in clause 4 for documentation, there are 14 other references requiring documentation. These are as follows:
(a) The output of the planning
(b) The quality manual
(c) A documented procedure for document control
(d) A documented procedure for the identification, storage, retrieval, protection, retention time and disposition of records.
(e) Planning of the realization processes
(f) Inputs relating to product requirements
(g) The outputs of the design and development process
(h) Design and development changes
(i) The results of the review of changes and subsequent follow up actions
(j) A documented procedure for conducting audits that includes the responsibilities and requirements
(k) Evidence of conformity with the acceptance criteria characteristics of the product
(l) A documented procedure for nonconformity control activities
(m)A documented procedure for corrective action
(n) A documented procedure for preventive action
This list is somewhat inadequate for documentation purposes because it does not tell us what types of things we should document or provide criteria to enable us to decide what we need to document. ISO 9000 clause 2.7.2 includes a more useful list of document types that are classified as follows:
(a) Quality manuals
(b) Quality plans
(c) Specifications
(d) Guidelines
(e) Procedures, work instructions and drawings
(f) Records

Certification Of ISO 14001

Certification Of ISO 14001

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is functioning from Geneva in Switzerland as a worldwide federation of national standards organizations. The mission of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing corporation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity. ISO’s works result in international agreements which are published as international agreements which are published as international standards.

ISO 9000

Previous version of ISO 9000 (1994) emphasize on documents and document control. But as per new standard the extent of documentation can differ from company to company in a simplified manner.

ISO 9000 system requires records at relevant stages which provide data for continual improvement and can be used for legacy as a data bank.

ISO 14000

ISO 14000, the environmental management system family of standards, was formally published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on September 2, 1996. ISO 14001 is the conformance standard within the ISO 14000 series. After extensive groundwork, the revised version of ISO 14001 was released on 15th of November 2004. ISO 14001:2004 will replace ISO 14001:1996 after a transition period of 18 months, ending on 14th May 2006, and will become the basis for the certification procedure for environmental management. All ISO 14001:1996 certificates will be rendered invalid on 15th May 2006

Since 1996 the ISO 14001 has formed the basis for structuring, implementation, review and further development of environmental management systems. It lays down the applicable demands for organizations of all kinds and sizes as well as for diverse geographical, cultural and social conditions. The overall objective is to promote environmental protection and the prevention of environmental stress in harmony with economic, social and political requirements.

OHSAS 18001 is an Occupation Health and Safety Assessment Series for health and safety management systems. It is intended to help an organizations to control occupational health and safety risks (OH&S). The importance of managing Occupational Health and Safety is recognized by all interested parties – employers, employees, customers, suppliers, insurers,shareholders, the community, contractors, and regulatory agencies. It enables an organization to control occupational health and safety risks risks and to improve performance.

The Needs Of ISO 14001 Standards

With the growing concerns of global warming, many industries are taking recourse to corrective measures so as to reduce the carbon emissions and abide by the government policies that lay stress on quality control measures so as to reduce the harmful gases in the atmosphere. Apart from following government policies, industries try to introduce various measures so as to reduce the pollution and minimize the risk it involves to the lives of workers and consumers.
To avail the highest quality standards, one has to get the ISO 14001:2004 certification from the International Organization for Standardization. It is an international governing body that lays specific standards for quality controls. Given the fact that environment pollution is the biggest menace that can affect the progress of any organization, to avail the best quality standards one has to get the ISO 14001:2004 certification so as to provide clean and safe environment that is not affected from industrial works.
All those who get the ISO 14001:2004 certificate make sure that their industrial practices do not interfere in the environment by emanating any harmful substance in the atmosphere that can lead to hazard.
ISO 14001:2004 is universally known as Environmental Management System (EMS) that is based on specific environmental aspects and policies that are implemented. Basically, ISO 14001:2004 is not based on finished product as it lays emphasis on the procedures that are adopted in the manufacturing and production of the product. According to ISO, ISO 14001:2004 certificates are provided to those industries and organizations that try to reduce pollution.
Those who avail ISO 14001:2004-certificate benefit from reduction of cost from waste management, saving fuel and energy while lowering the cost of distribution. This leads to improved industrial and corporate image amongst customers, regulators and public. ISO 14001:2004 strives for consistent quality control that helps in providing the best industrial support to an organization by helping in the reduction of global warming and pollution.
For all those organizations that are looking forward to reduce pollution, ISO 14001:2004 is a practical tool that helps an industry in managing its energy consumption along with finding an alternative way so as to enhance the productivity along with reducing pollution levels.
In case an industrial unit is not following ISO 14001:2004 guidelines, it will not be able to avail ISO 14001:2004 certification that provides it quality control features. Apart from ISO 14001:2004, ISO offers numerous other certificates that deal with specific standards such as specification for shipping containers, IT software and languages, Iron Ores, country codes, safety labels, graphics, Standard Generalized Markup Languages and numerous other features that make it a useful guideline.
So, in case one is planning to set up an industrial unit or is an existing owner, it is essential to have quality control measures based on ISO 14001:2004. This certificate provides Environmental Management System. An ISO 14001:2004 certificate will help you in reducing the cost of manufacturing and energy consumption. Manage your business solutions with ISO 14001:2004 guidelines and reap benefits of Environmental Management System.

Health, Safety, and ISO 14001

Organizations considering the implementation of ISO 14001 often ask if the standard is applicable to safety and health programs as well as environmental issues. We believe that the answer is unequivocally yes.
Not only is ISO 14001 applicable to health/safety programs, it can also provide the same benefits that it makes possible in the environmental area. These include:
Meeting and/or exceeding regulatory requirements, Placing greater attention on significant issues not driven by regulations (establishing a safety culture, raising employee morale), Establishing a commitment to improve and measure performance, and Improving communications between managers and hourly employees.
In addition, using ISO14001 to integrate environmental/safety/health programs into the business system produces other benefits. Measures that reduce environmental incidents can decrease or eliminate worker exposures to hazardous materials. Conversely, increasing awareness of safety practices can focus employees’ attention on environmental concerns. In fact, the success of health, safety, and environmental programs often hinges on worker understanding, attitude, and commitment. The corporate culture must change to make these matters a natural part of each employee’s approach to his or her work.
The ISO 14001 standard assumes that such cultural transformation occurs through employee involvement and responsibility from the bottom up, not via dictates from the top. That assumption, and other concepts present in ISO 14001, is applicable to health and safety. Therefore, it’s reasonable to consider the use of the standard in an integrated approach that can bring about change for all three. Some organizations have done so, and many others will eventually see the wisdom of employing ISO 14001 for that purpose.
How can ISO 14001 be useful for health and safety when it was intended to address the environmental aspects of organizations? These three areas are so linked that a management standard for one can have equal applicability to the others. The reason ISO 14001 was not specifically aimed at health and safety had more to do with professional parochialism and the politics of international standards writing than with any concern about the logic of doing so. In ISO 14001, the only acknowledgement that it could be useful for health and safety appears in the introduction, which recommends its use to those who may need to apply the standard to those areas. No other specific references appear in the document, because the standard’s developers felt that health and safety professionals would eventually develop their own version of ISO 14001. This new version has not emerged, and the likelihood of it happening anytime soon is rather low, because current stakeholders’ views militate against it.

About ISO 14001:2004 Standards

The ISO 14001 aims to reduce the environmental carbon footprints that many businesses leave behind today because of not taking the right steps to be environmental sustainable. This standard promotes the decrease in the waste of necessary business resources and also reduces the pollution that can sometimes be a by product of a business.

About ISO 14001

The most updated version of the ISO 14001 was released in the year 2004 by the International Organisation of Standardization (ISO), which was attended by members from all the committees from around the world. In order for a company to be awarded the ISO 14001 standard certificate, an external auditor has to audit the company by an audit body that has been accredited by an accreditation body. The certification auditors are required to be accredited by the International Registrar of Certification Auditor and the certification body has to be accredited by the Registrar Accreditation Board in the USA or by the National Accreditation Board in Ireland.

The structure of ISO 14001 is very much like the ISO 9000, which is management standard, so these two standards can be implemented side by side to achieve the best results. As a part of the ISO 14000 family, which deals with different aspects of environmental issues, ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 14002 deal with environmental management system (EMS). ISO 14001 gives the requirements for the

EMS and ISO 14002 gives the basic guidelines for EMS.

Environmental Management System with ISO 14001:2004

The EMS, as per the requirements of the ISO 14001, enables the company, may it be of any size, location and income to:

• It helps the company improve its environmental strategy and this positively affects their environmental performance.
• It helps in identifying and controlling the environmental impact that the activities, services or products of the company might have.
• And it helps in carrying out a systematic approach to set environmental targets and objectives, to achieve these and also to demonstrate that they have been achieved.

How does it work?

ISO 14001 does not specify or chalk out a definite level that each business has to reach. If the performance was determined, then it would have to be done for every specific business. But that is not how it works and has a very different approach, like:

• The ISO has various standards dealing with environmental issues. ISO 14001 deals with a framework provided for a strategic and holistic approach to the businesses environmental policy, actions and plans.
• It gives the general requirements for the EMS.
• This also states the reference to the communication requirements for the communication of the environmental management issues between the company, stakeholders, the public and the regulators.
• As these standards are not company specific, any and every business can undertake them as long as they are dedicated to the continued and improved environmental performance and they have a commitment to comply with the set norms.

ISO 9001 Standards Gap Analysis

One of the first steps in implementing ISO 9000 is to perform a gap analysis. This is the technical name for an initial comparison of the Quality Management System to the ISO 9001:2008 Standard. The goal in find the gap between the standard and the QMS. The Gap Analysis will establish the scope of the implementation project and will therefore be important information for determining the amount of resources that will be required to complete the project in the given timeline.
Typically the gap analysis is based on a Gap Analysis checklist. These can be purchased from several different sources on the web ( like theISOstore.com). A second option is to use the internal audit checklist from this web site as a gap analysis checklist. Either way, the key to have a list of questions based on the standard that will uncover any weaknesses in the QMS before the project begins.
Gap Analysis Auditors
Performing gap analysis is best done by someone who is familiar with the ISO 9001 standard. If the company has no one with this experience, then consider outside training for the person who will be the lead internal auditor. Without grasping the goals behind the standard, you and your company can waste a lot of time improperly documenting flaws and over engineering solutions.
Performing a Gap Analysis
I recommend performing a basic ISO 9000 awareness training before the gap analysis. The awareness training will help reduce fear or resistance to the change that sometimes comes with a large company wide project. Once everyone understands the goals of the ISO project and is ready to be audited, start the gap analysis in sections. Covering sections 4,5,6,7 and 8 all in one audit is a mind melting experience. Start with section 4 to see how fast you can properly document the a section. Then schedule the remaining section based on your experience.
As you go through each section, you will either find that a system is already in place that meets the requirements of the ISO9001 standard or you will write a finding for that section. If you find that the system is in place, simply log the document numbers on the gap analysis sheet and move on. If you find that a large portions of the quality systems are missing, then you can write the equivalent of a major finding with a larger scope and not waste too much time listing every detail of what is missing.
How to use the result of the gap analysis
Once you have completed the gap analysis, you will have a list of missing or under-developed documents, records and systems. If you use the checklist from this web site, the result of the gap analysis will be a list of individual item that must be corrected. If the check sheet said “what document is used to the describe record retention?” and you found no document, then the document should be created. Once you feel that everything is in place, then you will want to repeat the audit to confirm that you can answer every question on the internal audit checklist with a positive response.
If the gap analysis show that your systems are in relatively good shape with some area for improvement, then I would make the gap analysis the first record in your internal audit notebook. This will help build a history of audits. If the gap analysis shows major flaws, you may want to fix them and then perform an internal audit as the first record to meet your internal auditing requirements. External auditor will frequently look at your internal auditing records to see if there are any blatant problems with the QMS, so don’t make their job too easy.

Business benefits of ISO 14001 Standards

Business benefits of ISO 14001 Standards

Any manager will try to avoid pollution that could cost the company a fine for infringing environmental legislation. But better managers will agree that doing only just enough to keep the company out of trouble with government inspectors is a rather weak and reactive approach to business in today’s increasingly environment-conscious world.
There is a better way. The ISO 14000 way. The ISO 14000 standards are practical tools for the manager who is not satisfied with mere compliance with legislation – which may be perceived as a cost of doing business. They’re for the proactive manager with the breadth of vision to understand that implementing a strategic approach can bring return on investment in environmentrelated measures. Implementing an ISO 14000-basedenvironmental management system, and using other tools from the ISO 14000 family, will give you far more than just confidence that you are complying with legislation.
The ISO 14000 approach forces you to take a hard look at all areas where your business has an environmental impact. And this systematic approach can lead to benefits like the following:
a. Reduced cost of waste managementb. Savings in consumption of energy and materialsc. Lower distribution costsd. Improved corporate image among regulators, customers and the publice. Framework for continuous improvement of your environmental performance.
The manager who is “too busy managing the business” to listen to good senseabout environmental management could actually be costing the business plenty. Just think, for example, of the lost opportunities for achieving benefits like those above.
The ISO 14000 standards are management tools that will help your businessachieve environmental goals that go way beyond acquiring a mere “green sheen”.

ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

Global warming, ozone depletion, pollution and extinction of numerous species of animals. These are just a few of the environmental issues that the world faces, in the name of development. As responsible corporate citizens, companies can play their part in preserving our natural environment for our next generation by implementing ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System.

So, what is ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System? What is the requirement of the ISO 14001 standards? What is the content of Environmental Management System? What are the steps in implementing ISO 14001:204 Standards – Environmental Management System? You will find the answers in this “ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System” DVD.

The “ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System” DVD will elaborate in details on:

1. Introduction to ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System.
2. The history & origin of the standards.
3. Requirement of ISO 14001:2004 Standards.
4. Contents Of ISO 14001:2004 Standards.
5. ISO 14001:2004 Implementation Steps & Checklist.

No matter how simple or complex the business, each can benefit from the implementation of a management system based on ISO 14001:2004. This international standard has as its focus the prevention of pollution, accomplished by a teamwork approach to identifying those aspects of the organizations processes that have the potential for harming the environment and the development of ways to reduce or prevent this harm.

In the process, many organizations have found ways to reduce costs by elimination of scrap, changes to their waste disposal processes or reduced use of natural resources. It is the application of the system approach that has proven to be successful. And, once the system is in place, it is logical and beneficial to have that system certified and registered. This provides added assurance that the management system remains effective and also provides public recognition to numerous stakeholders that your organization is committed to the prevention of pollution.

ISO 9000 Standards Training DVD

ISO 9000 Standards Training DVD
The major reasons that company leadership or management decides to seek ISO 9000 certification are to gain continued or increased business and to maintain effective operations.

A company can maintain a relationship with customers, as well as get increased business through complying to the ISO 900 standards or becoming certified. This comes from satisfying customer demands, the desire for European business, and to advertise.

The Introduction to ISO 9001:2008 DVD covers 3 major areas, which will help companies in the process of implementing ISO 9000 Standards. It consists of:

First, to describe some basic information on ISO 9000 Standards. It will specifically refer to ISO 9001:2008 Standards. The video will explained on topic like what is ISO 9000 Standards, The origin, history & evolution, Series of ISO 9000, version & certification in ISO 9000 Standards.

Then, the DVD will go into the introduction on quality management. It will explained on topics like what is quality, quality characteristic, quality management, Quality Management Principles, ISO 9000 vs. Quality, what is Quality Management System & etc.

Finally, the DVD will technically highlight the requirement of Quality Management System in ISO 9001:2008. It also going through in details the steps in implementing Quality Management System in ISO 9001:2008.

Evaluation of Compliance In ISO 14001 Standards

Evaluation of Compliance In ISO 14001 Standards