M-Tek UK Ltd have recently been accepted by the BSI as a member of their Associate Consultant Programme. The ACP registration follows a comprehensive review of our portfolio of work on certified management systems, and our supporting processes and procedures.

In order to be able to direct clients to consultants that BSI has thoroughly assessed, the Associate Consultant Programme (ACP) was established. The ACP is only open to consultancies that have demonstrated to BSI their experience and competence with respect to certified management systems.

The British Standards Institute (BSI) is a world-leading business services organisation. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, the BSI Group has grown to supply services to over 100 countries worldwide. As a certification body, the BSI is entirely independent and as such, is unable to provide any form of consultancy service.

A recent change to the standard was released in Nov 2008 – ISO 9001:2008. Whereas the2000 version introduced major changes, the current changes are more of a clarification of points already in the standard rather than the inclusion of new requirements. Changes have also been made to be consistent with the current ISO 14001:2004 standard Environmental Management) in order to make an integrated Quality & Environmental system easier and more efficient to implement.

The main changes are the following:

• Reinforcement of control over outsourced processes that affect product conformity to requirements.
• Management representative has to be a member of the certified organisation and not an external individual.
• Competence is much more a key issue in the new standard as it specifies that the competence of personnel affecting the performance of conformity to product requirements must be controlled by the organization.
• Additional guidance to explain the different methods on measuring and monitoring customer satisfaction.
• Concerning the internal audits, the management of the audited units must ensure that necessary corrections and corrective actions are taken.
• Clarification that information systems are included as a part of the company’s infrastructure, and therefore the management system.

What does this mean if you are ISO 9001:2000 certified?

As the changes to the standard are very minor, there will be little impact on surveillance audits by your certification body, and this should not require any additional auditing time. The Internal Audits (normally carried out by M-Tek UK Ltd) will be revised and modified to ensure the changes are addressed prior to your next certification body visit.

The transition to the new revision will be performed either during the next surveillance audit or the next re-certification whichever comes first and no later than the 15th of November 2010. A new certificate will then be issued replacing your current certificate.

ISO 9000 is a series of documents that define requirements for the Quality Management System Standard. ISO 9001:2008 is one of the documents in this set.  It states the requirements the organization must meet to be in compliance with the standard.  ISO 9001:2008 is the current version of the Standard. Past versions of ISO 9000 included ISO 9002 and ISO 2003, but those are no longer in use. Companies are now only Registered to ISO 9001:2008

An ISO 9001:2008 compliant Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of controls developed, implemented and monitored to ensure that the processes used to provide services or to manufacture products meet customer expectations consistently and in the most efficient, cost-effective way.

ISO 9001:2008 relies on a quality policy and a quality manual which defines management and employee responsibilities, procedures, work instructions and the system designed to guarantee a company’s service or product quality goals. This QMS provides companies with a method for consistently improving both service and product quality; thereby surpassing customer expectations.

The Standard itself consists of a set of requirements.  These requirements specify what a company must do, but not how.  For example, it says you must plan how you will achieve quality, but it does not say specifically how you must plan, nor specify a format for the planning.

The Standard is based on these 8 underlying principles:

• Customer focus
• Leadership
• Involvement of people
• A process approach
• A systems approach to management
• Continual improvement
• A factual approach to decision making
• Mutually beneficial supplier relationships.

Because the standard states generic requirements, and is intended to apply to all kinds of businesses, some interpretation and experience is required to apply it to your particular business.

Most of the requirements are just sheer good business sense. For example, there are requirements that you must know what your customers want, and deliver it to them. You must make sure your people are competent and that they have the right skills, training and experience.  You need processes suitable for producing and delivering your products or services.

Top reasons given for registration:

• Internal operational efficiency improved
  Lower production costs because of fewer nonconforming products, less rework, lowered rejection rates, streamlined processes and fewer mistakes.
• Access to new markets
• Some markets require ISO 9001 Registration, some markets favour companies with ISO 9001 Registration
  Customer request – Many organizations are asked by a customer to obtain registration as a requirement to continue or to start doing business with them.
• Reduced cost – Organizations are recognizing that an effective Quality Management System leads to reduced costs and greater operating margins

What will ISO 9001:2008 do for my organization?

A well designed and implemented Quality Management System, based on ISO 9001:2008 has been shown to provide organizations with the following benefits:

Reduced costs through:

• - Improved product reliability
• - Better process control and flow
• - Better documentation of processes,
• - Greater employee quality awareness
• - Reductions in product scrap, rewords and rejections

Can I do ISO 9001:2008 myself?

Getting ISO 9001:2008 certification does take time, effort and resources. You must know what the Standard says, identify your gaps, and work out how to fill them. You’ll also need to know how to interpret the Standard and apply it to your business. But it will take you time to figure out what’s involved, so expect it to take longer, and it may involve more effort and cost.

Who gives the certificates?

The organisations that do this are called certifiers, registrars or external auditors. Only companies who are accredited can award certifications – provided of course you meet the requirements at the audit. You make a formal application with them, agree on the particular Standard (e.g. ISO 9001) and a suitable scope, pay the fees, and jointly agree the scheduled date(s) for assessment.

Are all certifiers the same?

Definitely not. While they all assess you against the same Standard, they are service providers, and there are differences between them. You should choose who you want to use. Contact at least 2, preferably 3, discuss your needs, and choose one you think will suit your business. See the Certification link for more information.

What do consultants do?

There are consultants and certifiers. Certifiers award the certificates: think of them as something like an examiner – they test (audit) your system, and provided it meets requirements, they give the certificate. They don’t coach you, or help prepare you, or tell you how to ‘pass’! But good certifiers will adopt a partnering-type approach, rather than a dictatorial or inspector-like attitude.

Consultants assess your system against the requirements, tell you where the gaps are, give advice, help you with the process, prepare you for the external audit, show you how to meet the various requirements, and will usually coach you too. A good consultant can add enormous value, speeding up the process and making it easier and more efficient, and thus will save you time and money. They should make sure you avoid the common mistakes. And good consultants should help you get a system that supports you, as well as getting certification.

An Environmental Management System (EMS) helps you to:

• Manage environmental risk
• Reduce costs
• Gain competitive edge
• Minimise environmental impact

The process involved in implementing an EMS will include:

• Creation of an ‘Environmental Policy’
• Evaluation and recording of the operation’s environmental aspects/effects
• Setting of measurable goals and targets that will comply with legislation
• Documentation of policy objectives and proposed action
• Audit and review of policy

ISO 14001:2004 is the most comprehensive standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) recognised on an international basis. It replaces ISO 14001:1996, and is designed to more closely align with ISO 9001:2008. The adoption of ISO 14001:2004 publicly demonstrates a commitment to environmental concerns, equipping the organisation with both a valuable management system and a most powerful marketing tool.

The process of implementing and maintaining an EMS highlights opportunities for significant cost savings regardless of industry sector

1. Scope
2. Normative Reference
3. Terms and Definitions
4. Environmental Management System
   4.1 General Requirements
   4.2 Environmental Policy
   4.3 Planning
      4.3.1 Environmental aspects
      4.3.2 Legal and other requirements
      4.3.3 Objectives, targets and programme(s)
   4.4 Implementation and Operation
      4.4.1 Resources, roles, responsibility & authority
      4.4.2 Competence, training & awareness
      4.4.3 Communication
      4.4.4 Documentation
      4.4.5 Control of documents
      4.4.6 Operational control
      4.4.7 Emergency preparedeness & response
   4.5 Checking
      4.5.1 Monitoring & measurement
      4.5.2 Evaluation of compliance
      4.5.3 Non-conformity, corrective action & preventive action
      4.5.4 Control of records
      4.5.5 Internal Audit
   4.6 Management Review

Curtis Moore (Cladding Systems) Ltd gain ISO 9001:2000

Curtis Moore (Cladding Systems) Ltd, based in Hillington, have been awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification from BSI after an intensive audit from two BSI auditors.

Curtis Moore are one of the fastest growing and most innovative cladding companies in the UK. Projects include many large new build schools and innovations include ‘green’ cladding, which has grass growing on it! They recently doubled the size of their premises, with a large investment in a dedicated training room to further enhance the capabilities of their staff.

M-Tek UK Ltd designed and implemented the Quality Management System, and carried out training to ensure all staff were involved in the user friendly systems.

When you hire a consultant, you look for a high degree of expertise, and at M-Tek, we offer just that. Our fixed-rate, guaranteed consulting plan gives you everything you need. We take you step-by-step through the entire process.

Our services include a gap assessment, writing procedures, training employees, helping with the selection of UKAS accredited assessment bodies and assisting with the implementation. We will even be with you to assist during the assessment.

This is a typical timeline. You can find out more about a section by clicking on it.

During the first part of the project, our consultant conducts a complete gap assessment. The consultant will observe the operations of your company, interview key employees and observe operations in order to get a complete picture of your compliance status. The consultant will use the information to write a comprehensive initial report telling you where you company complies with the standard and where it does not. The consultant will also use the information to write any procedures that are required.

As part of our service, consultants document the management system for your company. This documentation will be the MINIMUM amount required to meet the requirements of the standard and to meet the needs of your company. Our experience allows us to write procedures that are compliant but not bureaucratic. The procedures outline your business in a clear and concise manner.

By allowing us to write your procedures you avoid the hassle of trying to write them yourself. You also avoid the pitfalls that people commonly encounter when trying to write procedures themselves. Often, fear of failure will cause people to write procedures that are more detailed, inflexible and bureaucratic than is necessary. Because we’ve assisted with the registration of many companies, we know how to write procedures that are lean and efficient.

Training is an important part of implementing a successful project. M-Tek provides awareness and internal audit training by lead assessor trained consultants. Certificates are issued to all trained auditors.

Having assisted many companies to gain certification with several different assessment bodies, we have plenty of experience when it comes to working with auditors. Over the years, we have worked with many of the assessment bodies. In many cases your consultant will know the individual assessor conducting the audit. We can assist you in the selection of the registrars, help you interpret their quotes and proposals and ensure you get the service you need at the price you want.

Many companies struggle with the implementation of their quality system. At M-Tek we know the pitfalls that companies commonly find. We will help you avoid these pitfalls. Our consultants are available during your implementation phase to answer questions, provide tools and to assist you in your implementation.

Included in our service is a complete pre-assessment. An expert M-Tek consultant will conduct a full pre-assessment of your company against the requirements of the standard in order to ensure that you are ready for assessment.

The pre-assessment is like an insurance policy against failure. The consultant will give you a written report that points out any places were your system is weak or noncompliant. This allows you to fix the system and to go into your assessment with confidence.