ISO 14000 - ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

ISO 14000 is a family of standards related to environmental management that exists to help organizations (a) minimize how their operations (processes, etc.) negatively affect the environment (i.e., cause adverse changes to air, water, or land); (b) comply with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements, and (c) continually improve in the above.

ISO 14000 is similar to ISO 9000 quality management in that both pertain to the process of how a product is produced, rather than to the product itself. As with ISO 9000, certification is performed by third-party organizations rather than being awarded by ISO directly. The ISO 19011 audit standard applies when auditing for both 9000 and 14000 compliance at once.

 The ISO 14000 family addresses various aspects of environmental management. It provides practical tools for companies and organizations looking to identify and control their environmental impact and constantly improve their environmental performance. ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 14004:2004 focus on environmental management systems. The other standards in the family focus on specific environmental aspects such as life cycle analysis, communication and auditing.

ISO 14001:2004

ISO 14001:2004 sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified to. It does not state requirements for environmental performance, but maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. It can be used by any organization regardless of its activity or sector. Using ISO 14001:2004 can provide assurance to company management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved.
The benefits of using ISO 14001:2004 can include:

• Reduced cost of waste management
• Savings in consumption of energy and materials
• Lower distribution costs
• Improved corporate image among regulators, customers and the public

10 STEPS TO YOUR ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION

Recently, we had told you what is ISO 9000 right? So today we going to tell you how to make it real. There is some step that you must consider. First, you must know that achieving ISO 9001 certification does NOT need to be complicated or expensive. Nowadays, companies implement ISO 9001 in-house without the services of expensive consultants.

  The secret to success is the use of the right tools:
- no-nonsense, step-by-step instructions and guides;
- easy-to-customize documentation templates and forms;
- convenient online training, and more.

You must implement ISO 9001 in 10 Steps and with the right Tools

1) Step 1: Decision

 The first step is for your company's top management to decide if the company should pursue ISO 9001 certification or not. For that, your company's top management needs to have a good understanding of ISO 9001 from a business point of view.

What is Needed?
Concise training program specifically designed for the needs of executives

Our Recommendation:
e-learning course ISO 9001:2008 Management Overview

2) Step 2: ISO 9001 Management Representative

 Going forward with the ISO 9001 implementation, one of your company's managers needs to be appointed to be the “ISO 9001 Management Representative”. The ISO 9001 Management Representative is your company's point-person and expert on ISO 9001. Having been appointed, the ISO 9001 Management Representative needs to learn much about ISO 9001 and its various requirements.

What is Needed?
Comprehensive training in all ISO 9001:2008 requirements, and in the intent and purpose of the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS)
(required by ISO 9001:2008 section 6.2.2)

Our Recommendation:
e-learning course ISO 9001:2008 - Benefits and QMS Requirements

What is Needed?
At the time of appointing the ISO 9001 Management Representative you will need:
–  a job description, and
–  a training plan
(required by ISO 9001:2008 sections 5.5.1, 5.5.2 & 6.2.2) 

Our Recommendation:
These materials are only available as part of an Implementation Package.

However, these materials are also relatively easy to create by yourself with the help of our ISO 9001 Documentation Templates (step 5).

3) Step 3: ISO 9001 Implementation Plan

In order to properly plan your company's ISO 9001 implementation, you will first perform a gap analysis so that you know which ISO 9001:2008 requirements your company already meets, and where you will need to concentrate your ISO 9001 implementation efforts. After performing the gap analysis, you are able to plan the ISO 9001 implementation project, set important milestones, estimate time requirements and set a date for the ISO 9001 certification.

What is Needed?
The gap analysis is best performed using a questionnaire. 

Our Recommendation:
A gap analysis questionnaire is available separately: The Gap Analysis; it is also included in all Implementation Packages.

What is Needed?
A step-by-step implementation guide that explains each step of the ISO 9001 implementation project in sufficient detail, while at the same time being concise and efficient. A good ISO 9001 implementation guidebook makes the ISO 9001 implementation lean and efficient without wasting time on unnecessary charts and committees.

Our Recommendation:
An ISO 9001 implementation guide is available separately: The Project Guide; it is also included in all Implementation Packages.

4) Step 4: Employee Introduction

It is important to inform all employees as early as possible of your company's plan to get ISO 9001 certified. You will need to explain the concept of ISO 9001 and how it will affect your company's employees in order to gain buy-in and support. Don't delay this simple step because once negative rumors and gossip have developed, your ISO 9001 implementation efforts will become more difficult!

What is Needed?
A short and easy-to-understand ISO 9001 introduction course that focuses on how employees are affected and that prevents any misconceptions and fears
(required by ISO 9001:2008 section 6.2.2)

Our Recommendation:
DVD video training ISO 9001:2008 Basics - What Employees Need to Know

5) Step 5: ISO 9001 Documentation

ISO 9001:2008 requires extensive documentation addressing all its requirements. Writing all the required documents is very difficult and extremely time-consuming if you start from scratch, but it can be quite easy and fast if you use good pre-written templates with detailed customization instructions. The selection of templates is very important because the templates will have a significant impact on both, the time and efforts you spend for the ISO 9001 implementation, and even more importantly, on how efficient and business-friendly your company's ISO 9001 quality management system will be. Please choose wisely.

What is Needed?
Pre-written templates for the entire ISO 9001 documentation including customization instructions. (required by ISO 9001:2008 section s 4.2.1 & 4.2.2)

Our Recommendation:
Extensive ISO 9001 documentation templates are available separately: Quality Manual & Procedures Templates; they are also included in all Implementation Packages.

What is Needed?
The ISO 9001:2008 standard

Our Recommendation:
The downloadable PDF version of the ISO 9001:2008 standard is the most convenient version

What is Needed?
An easy-to-understand interpretation of the ISO 9001:2008 standard to clarify the rather abstract requirements

Our Recommendation:
ISO 9001:2008 Explained

6) Step 6: Realization

Put the new business processes contained in the ISO 9001 documentation into practice throughout the company. In this step, company management and staff are notified of new or changed work processes as formalized in the ISO 9001 documentation (step 5). This step also includes the writing of some detailed and position-specific work instructions; these work instructions are best written by those employees who perform the work.

What is Needed?
Forms and checklists – they will make the ISO 9001 implementation and compliance with ISO 9001 requirements significantly easier.

Our Recommendation:
Forms and checklists are available separately:Forms & Checklists; however, they are also included in all Implementation Packages.

What is Needed?
Brief and easy-to-understand employee newsletters are one possible option to inform staff about new and changed work processes.
(required by ISO 9001:2008 section 6.2.2)

Our Recommendation:
Employee newsletters are only available as part of an Implementation Package.

However, these materials are also relatively easy to create by yourself based on your company's new ISO 9001 quality procedures.

What is Needed?
Work instructions are written by those employees who perform the work. (required by ISO 9001:2008 sections 7.5.1 & 7.5.2)

Our Recommendation:
Work instructions don't require a particular format and can be written “free style”. However, guidelines and templates are included in the Implementation Packages.

7) Step 7: Internal ISO 9001 Audits

ISO 9001 requires that your company periodically self-evaluates its ISO 9001 quality management system through internal ISO 9001 audits. These internal audits will also be of help during the ISO 9001 implementation phase; a complete and successful internal ISO 9001 audit is required before you can get ISO 9001 certified. Therefore, one or more employees will need to be appointed to serve as internal ISO 9001 auditors; they will require training and then perform at least one complete internal audit.

What is Needed?
Comprehensive training in both
(a) the ISO 9001:2008 requirements, and
(b) in auditing techniques.
(required by ISO 9001:2008 section 6.2.2)

Our Recommendation:
The combination of these two courses is ideal:
(a) e-learning course ISO 9001:2008 Internal Auditor
(b) DVD video training Internal Auditing Basics - An Introduction to Auditing for Employees

What is Needed?
Audit tools that include forms, a complete audit checklist and an audit report form. (required by ISO 9001:2008 section 8.2.2) 

Our Recommendation:
Audit tools are available separately: The Audit Package; however, they are also included in all Implementation Packages.

8) Step 8: ISO 9001 Registration

Before your company can get ISO 9001 certified, you need to select and appoint an ISO 9001 registrar. The ISO 9001 registrar is an independent organization that is officially accredited to issue ISO 9001 certifications in your country. The ISO 9001 registrar will audit your company's ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) and – if the audit is successful – issue the ISO 9001 certificate. It is important to select an ISO 9001 registrar that is appropriate for your company's individual circumstances.

What is Needed?
You need to carefully select an ISO 9001 registrar from among the many local and international ISO 9001 registrars available in your area. (required by ISO 9001:2008 section 7.4.1)

Our Recommendation:
ISO 9001 registrar selection materials are only available as part of an Implementation Package.

9) Step 9: ISO 9001 Certification

The most important step is to pass the ISO 9001 certification audit and get ISO 9001 certified. Steps 1 through 8 were designed to implement an ISO 9001 quality management system so that you can achieve ISO 9001 certification. However, since your company's employees are likely not familiar with undergoing external audits, it is strongly recommended to prepare them for the audit and how to interact with the external ISO 9001 auditor. Don't let an uninformed or nervous employee spoil your company's ISO 9001 certification!

What is Needed?
Good employee preparation for the ISO 9001 certification audit, including instructions on how to interact with the auditor, expected auditor questions, and areas that the audit will likely focus on.

Our Recommendation:
Some of the Implementation Packages contain useful materials to prepare for the ISO 9001 certification audit. However, our DVD video training course may prove most effective and easily worth its cost: How to Deal with External Auditors - A Basic Guide for Employees.

10) Step 10: Maintaining ISO 9001 Certification

It is a common misconception to think that the ISO 9001 certification is the last step. In order to maintain the ISO 9001 certification, your company needs to keep the ISO 9001 quality management system alive, use it in daily operations and continually improve upon it. In order to reap the marketing benefits of ISO 9001, your company needs to properly publicize its ISO 9001 certification. In addition, your company will only reap the many internal benefits of ISO 9001 by really utilizing the ISO 9001 quality management system in day to day business. Therefore, once your company reached ISO 9001 accreditation, you should properly leverage the certificate for marketing, use the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) in daily business, and continually improve the ISO 9001 QMS in order to maintain your certification.

What is Needed?
An ISO 9001 marketing guide – to get ideas on how to best leverage the ISO 9001 certificate in marketing. 

Our Recommendation:
ISO 9001 marketing guides are only available as part of an Implementation Package

What is Needed?
Using the ISO 9001 quality management system in daily operations and continually improving it. (required by ISO 9001:2008 section 8.5.1)

Our Recommendation:
If your company is serious about using ISO 9001 in daily operations, meeting this requirement will not be a problem. However, there is also another interesting alternative: implementing a streamlined and efficient 2nd generation ISO 9001 documentation after 1-2 years: Streamlining Manual

ISO 9000 - QUALITY MANAGEMENT

The ISO 9000 Series is a set of international standards for quality management and quality assurance. The standards were developed to help companies effectively document the elements they need to maintain an efficient quality system. They are not specific to any one industry.

ISO 9000 can help a company satisfy its customers, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve continual improvement. But it’s a first step, many quality professionals will tell you, the base level of a quality system, not a complete guarantee of quality.

ISO 9000 Facts

• Applies to any organization regardless of size or industry
• Implemented by more than one million organizations in over 170 countries
• Includes ISO 9000:2005 (definitions), ISO 9001:2008 (requirements) and ISO 9004:2009(continuous improvement)
• ISO 9001:2008 is the only standard in the ISO 9000 series to which organizations can certify
  

History

• Originally published in 1987 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a specialized international agency for standardization composed of the national standards bodies of more than 160 countries
• Underwent major revision in 2000
• Next revision is underway, with anticipated publication in 2015

There are many standards in the ISO 9000 family, including:

• ISO 9001:2008 - sets out the requirements of a quality management system
• ISO 9000:2005 - covers the basic concepts and language
• ISO 9004:2009 - focuses on how to make a quality management system more efficient and effective
• ISO 19011:2011 - sets out guidance on internal and external audits of quality management systems.

 so let take one example of ISO9OOO, ISO 9001:2008

ISO 9001:2008 sets out the criteria for a quality management system and is the only standard in the family that can be certified to (although this is not a requirement). It can be used by any organization, large or small, regardless of its field of activity. In fact ISO 9001:2008 is implemented by over one million companies and organizations in over 170 countries.

Quality Management Principles

The standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. These principles are explained in more detail in the pdf Quality Management Principles. Using ISO 9001:2008 helps ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services, which in turn brings many business benefits.

Audits

Checking that the system works is a vital part of ISO 9001:2008. An organization must perform internal audits to check how its quality management system is working. An organization may decide to invite an independent certification body to verify that it is in conformity to the standard, but there is no requirement for this. Alternatively, it might invite its clients to audit the quality system for themselves. Read more about certification to management system standards.

Preview ISO 9001:2008

You can preview the freely available sections of ISO 9001:2008 on ISO's Online Browsing Platform.
To purchase this standard please visit the ISO Store.

ISO 9001 Revision

ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems is under review and an updated version is expected by the end of 2015. All ISO standards are reviewed every 5 years to make sure they remain as helpful and relevant.

Documents required by ISO 9001:2008

1) Quality Manual

2) Six Quality Procedures

3) Quality Policy

4) Quality Objectives

5) Process Flowchart

6) Work Instructions

The best ISO 9001 documentation combines the Quality Manual and the Quality Procedures into a single, user-friendly document.

Who needs Training in ISO 9001?

All Employees:
Overview/Introduction to ISO 9001

Management:
Executive Overview of ISO 9001

ISO 9001 Management Rep:
Intensive Training in ISO 9001 Requirements

Internal ISO 9001 Auditor(s):
Intensive Training in ISO 9001 Requirements and Auditing Methods

Are ISO 9001 Forms Required?

ISO 9001:2008 does not require any specific forms but good forms and checklists will make compliance with ISO 9001:2008 much easier. The best ISO 9001 forms and checklists will:

1) save time by requiring only necessary data without duplications;

2) help employees follow procedures without the need to look up separate instructions;

3) increase productivity by combining several ISO 9001 requirements in one efficient form;

4) meet the record-keeping requirements of ISO 9001:2008.

The ISO 9001 forms and checklists presented on this website provide all of these advantages.

ISO 9001 Software

Many companies think that they will need to purchase specific ISO 9001 software, for example, for document control, corrective action or for internal ISO 9001 audits. While there are many software solutions available that help with some aspects of ISO 9001, it isnot necessary to use any such software.

Most small and mid-size companies will only need the features and functionality already included with their existing word processing and computer network software. Even a simple paper-based system may work just fine for smaller companies! Note that none of our ISO 9001 products require that you purchase any specific ISO 9001 software.

TQM TOOLS

Pareto Principle

The Pareto principle suggests that most effects come from relatively few causes. In quantitative terms: 80% of the problems come from 20% of the causes (machines, raw materials, operators etc.); 80% of the wealth is owned by 20% of the people etc. Therefore effort aimed at the right 20% can solve 80% of the problems. Double (back to back) Pareto charts can be used to compare 'before and after' situations. General use, to decide where to apply initial effort for maximum effect.

Scatter Plots

 

A scatter plot is effectively a line graph with no line - i.e. the point intersections between the two data sets are plotted but no attempt is made to physically draw a line. The Y axis is conventionally used for the characteristic whose behavior we would like to predict. Use, to define the area of relationship between two variables.

Flow Charts

 

Pictures, symbols or text coupled with lines, arrows on lines show direction of flow. Enables modelling of processes; problems/opportunities and decision points etc. Develops a common understanding of a process by those involved.

Cause and Effect , Fishbone, Ishikawa Diagram

The cause-and-effect diagram is a method for analysing process dispersion. The diagram's purpose is to relate causes and effects. Three basic types: Dispersion analysis, Process classification and cause enumeration. Effect = problem to be resolved, opportunity to be grasped, result to be achieved. Excellent for capturing team brainstorming output and for filling in from the 'wide picture'. Helps organise and relate factors, providing a sequential view. Deals with time direction but not quantity. Can become very complex. Can be difficult to identify or demonstrate interrelationships.

Histogram or Bar Graph

 

 

  

A Histogram is a graphic summary of variation in a set of data. It enables us to see patterns that are difficult to see in a simple table of numbers. Can be analysed to draw conclusions about the data set.

A histogram is a graph in which the continuous variable is clustered into categories and the value of each cluster is plotted to give a series of bars as above. The above example reveals the skewed distribution of a set of product measurements that remain nevertheless within specified limits. Without using some form of graphic this kind of problem can be difficult to analyse, recognise or identify.

  

Check Sheets

 

A Check Sheet is a data recording form that has been designed to readily interpret results from the form itself. It needs to be designed for the specific data it is to gather. Used for the collection of quantitative or qualitative repetitive data. Adaptable to different data gathering situations. Minimal interpretation of results required. Easy and quick to use. No control for various forms of bias - exclusion, interaction, perception, operational, non-response, estimation.