What Is Quality Management Systems Certification and Why Does It Matter?

Organisations seeking to improve the consistency and effectiveness of their quality processes often pursue quality management systems certification. A certification provides for an independent assessment of a management system against the requirements of the standard.

A Quality Management System (QMS) is a systematic way to managing procedures, responsibilities, customer requirements, performance and constant improvement.

Understanding how certification works can help organisations prepare in the right way and select certification services that suit their scope and requirements. 

What Is a Quality Management System?

A Quality Management System is a systematic framework that allows an organization to design, administer, monitor and improve procedures connected to quality.

A QMS could include areas such as: 

• Customer requirements
  
• Process controls
  
• Roles and responsibilities
  
• Risk and opportunities
  
• Documented information
  
• Performance evaluation
  
• Internal audits
  
• Corrective actions
  
• Continual improvement

ISO 9001 is one of the most well-known standards used for certification of Quality Management Systems. Organisations can use the standard to develop a management system that meets the applicable requirements. 

What Does Quality Management Systems Certification Involve?

Quality management system certification is an independent assessment of the organization’s management system against the relevant certification requirements.

The procedure usually starts with determining the scope of the company’s certification and understanding the necessary standards.

Assessment activities may include (depending on the certification process):

• Application and certification scope review
  
• Audit planning
  
• Readiness or Stage 1 assessment, where applicable
  
• Certification audit
  
• Review of audit findings
  
• Corrective-action evaluation, where required
  
• Certification decision
  
• Ongoing surveillance activities

The exact assessment arrangements depend on the applicable standard, certification scheme, scope, and certification-body procedures.

Why Do Organizations Seek QMS Certification?

There are a number of business and operational reasons why organisations may seek certification.

A certified management system can help a business show that an independent assessment has confirmed its procedures meet relevant standards.

Potential business considerations include:

• Demonstrating conformity with applicable requirements
  
• Supporting customer and buyer expectations
  
• Improving process consistency
  
• Establishing clearer responsibilities
  
• Supporting supplier or tender requirements
  
• Providing a structured approach to continual improvement
  
• Strengthening confidence in the organization's management system

Certification does not replace effective implementation. The organization remains responsible for operating and maintaining its management system.

How to Choose Quality Management Systems Certification Services

Selecting a certification provider requires organizations to consider more than certification price alone.

Important factors can include:

Accreditation and Scope

Organizations should check whether the certification body has the appropriate accreditation and scope for the certification activities required.

Auditor Competence

Auditors should have appropriate competence for the applicable management-system standard and, where relevant, the organization's sector and technical activities.

Impartiality

Certification bodies should maintain appropriate impartiality and conflict-of-interest controls throughout certification activities.

Certification Process

A clear process helps organizations understand audit stages, responsibilities, timelines, findings, corrective actions, and certification decisions.

Certificate Verification

Organizations can also consider how certificates are verified by customers, procurement teams, and other stakeholders, such as through a certificate number, verification system, public register, or QR-code mechanism where available.

What Happens During a QMS Certification Audit?

During an audit, auditors review important elements of the management system against the applicable requirement and established certification scope.

The assessment may include analysis of documentation, interviews of personnel, observation of procedures, and examination of appropriate documents or evidence.

If findings are identified, the company may need to take appropriate corrective actions to address the findings. The certification decision thereafter is made according to the relevant procedures of the certification organization.

The method provides an impartial evaluation of how well the management system meets applicable certification requirements.

How NACE Certification Supports Management System Certification

NACE Certification offers certification services to organisations who want independent evaluation of relevant management system criteria.

Before picking a certification organization, organisations intending to get certified for quality management systems can evaluate certification scope, applicable standards, audit phases, auditor competence, impartiality arrangements, surveillance activities and certificate verification.

A systematic certification process helps organisations understand what is expected of them before, during and after examination. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is quality management systems certification?

Certification of quality management systems is an independent review of an organization's management system against the standards of a given standard and certification scheme.

2. Is ISO 9001 a Quality Management System?

ISO 9001 is a standard that defines the requirements of a Quality Management System. Organisations implement the requirements. The system can be evaluated for certification by an independent certifying authority. 

3. Why do organizations obtain QMS certification?

Organisations may choose to get certified as a means of demonstrating adherence to the relevant requirements, fulfilling customer expectations, ensuring process consistency and for fulfilling some contractual, tender or supply-chain requirements. 

4. How long does QMS certification take?

The timeframe varies according to factors such as organization size, scope, number of sites, complexity, readiness, applicable standard, and audit requirements.

5. Is QMS certification mandatory?

Certification is not universally mandatory. However, particular customers, contracts, tenders, industries, or regulatory arrangements may require or encourage certification.

6. Does QMS certification require ongoing audits?

Management-system certification generally includes ongoing surveillance activities and a recertification assessment according to the applicable certification cycle and requirements.

Wrapping Up

Quality management systems certification provides organizations with an independent assessment of their management system against applicable certification requirements.

Before selecting certification services, organizations can consider accreditation scope, auditor competence, impartiality controls, certification procedures, audit methodology, surveillance arrangements, and certificate verification.

A well-understood certification process can help organizations prepare effectively and maintain a structured approach to quality management.

Organizations exploring certification can review their requirements, define their certification scope, and discuss applicable assessment arrangements with NACE Certification.

Learn more about NACE Certification:
https://nacecertification.com/

phone: 0120-4934552

E-mail: [email protected]

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