Competition and markets are now more complex than ever , and misunderstandings are numerous , regardless of the business sector concerned . An orientation system that is understood across all sectors and countries and makes quality comparable is a helpful basis for many decisions . Anyone who clearly communicates performance and quality has all of the advantages .

This is precisely where ISO9001 comes in . ISO9001 is an internationally recognized quality management system that not only provides companies with a significant competitive advantage , but also with the basis of universal and market-oriented corporate development .

What is ISO9001?
ISO 9001 has become the most popular of all ISO Standards . Enterprises from all industry sectors understand that an ISO 9001-based management system effectively supports their operation .

This voluntary standard is concerned with quality management-all the organization does to ensure that its products conform to its customer’s requirements .

Why ISO9001?
Customer satisfaction , from the first contact until the final product or service is supplied , including after sales service , is the ultimate objective-a total quality system .

Enterprises from all industry sectors understand that the implementation of a quality system according ISO 9001 will contribute to improved quality performance , a better reputation and more profit by specifying corrective and focusing on management systems and documentation that proves the effectiveness of these systems .

With the Plan-Do-Check-Act(PDCA) approach , ISO 9001 provides enterprises with management tools to improve their business performance (defining policy and objectives , monitoring and measuring process and product characteristics , specifying corrective and preventive actions and encouraging continuous improvement) .

What are the Benefits of ISO9001?
International experience shows that significant business benefits are accrued by companies that comply with the standard .

• Complete customer satisfaction
• Efficiency and productivity (minimizing defect costs and optimizing process sequences)
• Minimization of risks in product liability
• Reduced inspection and testing costs
• Reduced costs through fewer communication and manufacturing errors
• Consistency of service or product performance
• Motivation of employees due to fewer errors and complaints
• Transparency through clearly defined processes
• Continuous process and structural improvements
• Identification and minimization of weakness
• Competitive edge through an internationally recognized certificate

Active environmental protection is an increasingly important factor for your success today . Consumers are critically aware of whether the manufacturing process , distribution and the use of a product are designed with the environment in mind . Active environmental protection thus promotes a convincing company profile and has become a real marketing advantage .

Ecology and economy in harmony
An ISO 14000 environmental management system provides a verifiable systematic approach to help you identify hazard potentials and control them , thus preventing critical incidents and reducing your risk of legal liabilities . Functional environmental management is built on the basis of clear operational sequences and responsibilities . By identifying applicable legal requirements and building environmental protection right into your processes , you take a proactive and preventive approach . This often leads to more efficient manufacturing processes , thus reducing costs and balancing your economical and environmental needs . Environmental protection does not need to be expensive if you take control of it systematically .

ISO 14000 in brief:

• Aims to find an efficient balance between ecological and economical requirements
• Focus on significant environmental impacts and their control
• Plan-Do-Check-Act process to achieve continuous improvement
• Concentrates on results and performance management tools , communication , education and training
• Requires a management policy , structured documentation , clear objectives and the involvement of all employees
• Designed to be part of an integrated system incorporating ISO 9001 , OHSAS or similar standards

Your benefits from ISO 14000

• Reduces energy and material costs
• Reduces pollutant and waste output
• Prevents environmental accidents and reduces risks of legal liabilities
• Improves the company’s financial standing and supports sustainable development
• Compliance with local environmental regulations and adaptability with their future development
• Improves the company image among regulators , customers and the public
• Improves management effectiveness through a continuous improvement process

Step by step to an environmental management system
Formulating objectives: As a first step you define your environmental policy along with clear targets , adapted to the environmental impacts of your company and the statutory regulations . You present the concept to your staff , a definitive plus in terms of positive awareness .

Planning: The next step involves the planning of suitable activities and introducing procedures for determining and monitoring environmental effects . Record your activities together with the set targets . responsibilities , budgets and time spans involved .

Preventive measures: Formulate and document special prevention and emergency plans for measures to prevent and minimize harmful effects on the environment as a result of accidents .

Staff: It is important to determine the needs for training among your staff at all levels , so that your environmental policy can take hold with the best possible motivation and competence.

ISO/TS 16949 Revised standard
As a harmonized standard , ISO/TS 16949 brings together the requirements of QS-9000 and VDA6.1 . The first edition of ISO/TS 16949 was produced in 1999 on the basis of ISO 9001:1994 . The major revision of ISO 9001 in 2008 also made a revision of ISO/TS 16949:2009 necessary .

In this connection , many new requirements were adopted by the automobile industry so that more effective compatibility is ensured with other management systems , including environmental management , industrial safety management , financial management and risk management systems .

Time and costs savings
The newly revised ISO/TS 16949:2002 standard can be regarded ad trend setting . The expenditure involved with multiple certifications such as VDA6.1 and QS-9000 will no longer be necessary .

In the past , many suppliers saw themselves compelled to have their quality management system certified both according to VDA6.1 and QS-9000 . This meant not only increased time expenditure , but also additional costs involved with the setting-up and maintenance of an extended system .

New standard – Worldwide recognition
The new standard offers process-orientated harmonization between ISO9001, VDA6.1 and QS-9000 which is recognized by the American , Japanese , as well as European automobile industries , thus providing worldwide recognition .

Who benefits from a changeover?

• Internationally-operating automobile industry suppliers; companies which are already certified according to QS-9000 and/or VDA6.1 , and for which a follow-up audit is due .
• Suppliers who can provide proof of a QS-9000 or VDA6.1 certificate and would like to extend their systems.

Suppliers who are planning first-time certification should consider ISO/TS 16949 directly .

First get certified-Then reap the benefits !
Certification also provides these many advantages :

• Improved product and process quality
• Coordinated quality assurance approach in the supply chain worldwide
• Release of valuable resources to fulfill other tasks
• Additional trust for your firm in global procurement processes
• Cost savings due to lower expenditures
• Competitive advantages at the international level
• Increased opportunities to realize the benefits of internationalization