ISO 9001:2015: Avoiding the pitfalls

The publication of ISO 9001:2015 in September last year makes the standard more relevant to the challenges faced by business today. SGS United Kingdom has updated its pitfalls booklet ‘The Route to ISO 9001:2015’ to assist with the implementation of ISO 9001 by outlining common pitfalls experienced by others.

The booklet adheres to the 2015 version of the standard and SGS offers extensive support to guide clients through the implementation process. For that hold ISO 9001:2008, SGS experts can carry out a gap analysis against the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 to make the transition as smooth and transparent as possible.

Paul Stock, UK product manager for ISO 9001 said: “If your organisation wants to improve its overall performance and establish a solid base for sustainability then it is worth adopting a quality management system and the pitfalls booklet helps ensure this is done correctly. The booklet outlines real issues experienced by real people and that’s what makes it such a useful tool when implementing ISO 9001 or preparing for a third party audit.”

The most noticeable change to the standard is its new structure. ISO 9001:2015 now follows the same high level structure as other ISO management systems. The Annex SL template provides a fixed structure of core text, common terms and core definitions, making it easier for anyone using multiple management systems.

There is a three-year transition period from the date of publication for organisations to move from ISO 9001:2008 to the 2015 version. However, for Mr Stock an early transition is the key to establishing a strong foundation to build on, due to significant changes between the versions of the standard.

“There are many benefits from transitioning early: ISO 9001:2015 has a new focus on risk-based thinking, greater emphasis on leadership engagement and addresses supply chain management more effectively. For an organisation, the adoption of a quality management system is vital for improving its overall performance and providing a solid foundation for sustainable development in an environment that is increasingly dynamic and complex. We work closely with clients to generate the maximum benefit from any transition processes no matter what standard they are striving for.”

The updated booklet can be downloaded from the weblink below. Those who are planning to implement the Quality Management System are strongly advised to also purchase a copy of the standard which is available at www.sgs.co.uk/iso9001.

SGS UK www.sgs.co.uk/9001pitfalls