How to Make a Smooth Transition to the ISO 9001 2015
(image via www.iso.org)
With thousands of ISO standards out there, the transition between them can be overwhelming at times. It’s important to understand the changes with each new standard issued and what this will mean for your company. How substantial are the changes from ISO 9001: 2008 and ISO 9001:2015?
First, more importantly, when will you need to make this transition? For companies that registered with the ISO 9001:2008, they will need to make the transition to the 2015 version by September 14th, 2018. This means that after the end of September 2018, a certificate to ISO 9001:2008 will no longer be valid.
Why has this standard been revised? Businesses change. With the innovations that technology, globalization, and the economy, businesses can’t expect to run the same as they did even just a couple of years ago. ISO 9001 needs to reflect these changes in order to remain relevant.
Now for the transition. This new version has been the first significant revision to this document since the 2000 version was released 15 years ago.
Where to begin? First, obtain a copy of the new standard itself here and familiarize yourself with the content. Then, understand the main changes. While researching these changes, keep in mind and look to see how your company already manages these significantly changed areas and how it relates to your systems already in place. Will your employees need new or extended training on any of these concepts? Where are the organizational gaps that need to be addressed? You will then need to develop a schedule for when it makes the most sense for your company to transition.
Lastly, update your existing quality management systems to meet these new requirements the ISO 9001: 2015 requires. Need help? Call us today for assistance: (330) 915-2355.