Friday, December 10, 2010

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

Thursday, November 25, 2010

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 14000family, 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.

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 14000family, 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.

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.

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.

Contents Of ISO 14001 Standards

Contents Of ISO 14001 Standards

The ISO 14000 family addresses various aspects of environmental management. The very first two standards, ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 14004:2004 deal with environmental management systems (EMS). ISO
14001:2004 provides the requirements for an EMS and ISO 14004:2004 gives general EMS guidelines.

The newly revised ISO 14001:2004 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system (EMS), which provides a framework for an organization to control the environmental impacts of its activities, products
and services, and to continually improve its environmental performance. It applies to those environmental aspects which the organization can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence. It does not itself state
specific environmental performance criteria.

ISO 14001:2004 is applicable to any organization that wishes to:
• implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system
• assure itself of its conformance with its stated environmental policy
• demonstrate such conformance to others
• seek certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organization
• make a self-determination and self-declaration of conformance with this international standard.

All the requirements in this standard can be incorporated into any environmental management system. Having been revised, the improved ISO 14001 is now expected to bring the benefits of implementing an EMS to more businesses than ever. The standard is now easier to understand and use and has more detailed checklists for inputs and outputs from the management review and has increased compatibility to ISO 9001.

Key Elements Of ISO 14001:2004
• Environmental policy
Develop a statement of your organizations commitment to the environment. Use this policy as a framework for planning and action.
An environmental policy is top managements declaration of its commitment to the environment. This policy should serve as the foundation for your EMS and provide a unifying vision of environmental concern by the entire organization. Given its importance, your policy should be more than just flowery prose.

Since it serves as the framework for setting environmental objectives and targets, the policy should be brought to life in your plans and deeds. Everyone in the organization should understand the policy and what is expected of them in order to achieve the organizations objectives and targets.
Your policy should reflect three key commitments, including a commitment to continual improvement. While this does not mean that you must improve in all areas at once, the policy should drive your organizations efforts to continually improve environmental management (and the improved performance that results from these efforts).

Saturday, June 12, 2010

ISO 9001 Standards In General


ISO 9001 Standards In General

The adoption of a quality management system should be a strategic decision of an organization. The design and implementation of an organization’s quality management systemis influenced by
— its business environment, changes in that environment, or risks associated with that environment,
— its varying needs,
— its particular objectives,
— the products it provides,
— the processes it employs,
— its size and organizational structure.
It is not the intent of this International Standard to imply uniformity in the structure of quality management systems or uniformity of documentation.
The quality management system requirements specified in this International Standard are complementary to requirements for products. Information marked “NOTE” is for guidance in understanding or clarifying the
associated requirement.
This International Standard can be used by internal and external parties, including certification bodies, to assess the organization’s ability to meet customer, statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the
product, and the organization’s own requirements.
The quality management principles stated in ISO 9000 and ISO 9004 have been taken into consideration during the development of this International Standard.