- Is ISO Certification compulsory?
ISO Certification is not compulsory but by opting for an ISO Certification, an organization can avail various benefits. Some advantages are listed in the above question.
- Can my organization get ISO certified?
Any Organization irrespective of its industry, area, size, operations can opt for ISO Certification. ISO Standards Are Management related & can be implemented by any Organization for efficient management system.
- How do I ensure my certification is genuine?
You are requested to follow below steps
- Check whether your certification body has accreditation. You may check it by visiting the website of the accreditation board to verify the validity of the accreditation of your certification body.
- You can also check the authenticity of the certificate by visiting the web site of the accreditation board and checking whether your certificate number and name of your company is appearing in the list of certified organization. Most of the accreditation boards have offered this facility to certified organization for verification of the authenticity of the certification.
- If the certification body is not accredited for the certified standard, your certificate is unaccredited and has no international traceability.
- I already am ISO certified but don’t see any benefits? How can PQS help in a different way?
PQSmitra provides a Routine System Verification & Support service which helps your organization to adhere to the ISO standards in return helping your organization to achieve the desired results and benefits.
- What is Certification?
Certification is a documented recognition that an organization receives from a Certification Body when an organization successfully follows and complies with the Standards and Requirements set by the concerned Standard setting body.
- What is the validity of ISO certificate issued by the certification body?
ISO certificate have validity of 3 years subject to timely & successful completion of surveillance audit every year or as per the frequency stated by the certification body.
- At what intervals are the ISO surveillance audit conducted?
ISO Surveillance Audit is conducted at a frequency of 1 year for 3 years from the date of issuance.
- What is a standard?
Standard can be defined as a set of criteria and procedures set by an International Organizational Standard to which an organization should have to adhere to and meet requirements in order to get certified for the respective certification.
- What is ISO Standard? How many types of ISO Standards are available?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations. Founded on 23 February 1947, the organization promotes worldwide proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards.
There are many ISO standards available like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001 and many more depending upon specific requirements.
- What is a Quality Management System(QMS)?
Quality Management System is a term that refers to a system in charge of documenting all processes, responsibilities, and procedures for achieving quality objectives and policies. The QMS helps an organization to direct and coordinate their operations to meet both regulatory & customer requirements as well as improving its efficiency & effectiveness on regular basis.
- What Standard is suitable for my industry?
The ISO 9001 Quality Management System is a Standard that is applicable to any Organization irrespective of its shape, size, operations. But for few Industries in Addition to this there are some specific standards which can be implemented which are developed specifically for them. For ex: IATF 16949 QMS is specifically developed for organization in Automotive sector. Many such types of Operation Specific Standards are listed in our website which you can refer for further clarification.
- How can ISO Certification be of significance for my organization?
ISO Certification is recognized across the globe and offers many advantages for an organization. Some of them are:
- International Certification and Business opportunities worldwide.
- Great Marketing tool.
- Streamlined documentation.
- Elimination of nonvalue added activities resulting in more profit.
- Better Customer Satisfaction.
- What is cost of ISO Certification?
The Cost of ISO Certification depends upon the Various Parameters such as the numbers of process in an organization, number of man-days required to conduct an audit and many more. You can contact PQSmitra to avail most competitive proposal for genuine certification.
- Will ISO Certification guarantee more profits and growth of organization?
A proper implementation of the ISO standards in an Organization makes an Organization a better Operating Unit eliminating non value adding activities and indirectly helping with more profits and better business.
- How can ISO help me in my business?
By complying to ISO standards an Organization can improve and monitor all areas of its business which helps to focus on all the important areas of Business and improve overall Efficiency of the organization.
- Does PQSmitra provide certification?
No PQSmitra does not provide certification. PQSmitra is basically a consultancy acting as a connecting bridge between the Organization & certification bodies. We help our Clients in all the parameters which are essentials to achieve the Certification along with the overall prosperity of organization.
- Is ISO certification, just documentation?
No, ISO Certification is not just a Documentation. It is a proper Guidance tool which helps an Organization to maintain a quality management system. Documentation is required to verify that an organization has complied to requirements of a standard during Internal Audits as well as Surveillance Audits.
- What are requirements to get certified?
To get Certified an Organization needs to understand its processes & how to maintain the record of all activities that are carried out in the organization. We at PQSmitra helps your Organization to understand its processes & its activities. We also provide support for the documentation which is required for the Certification.
- How many days does it take to get certified?
The answer for this question is relative.
One must understand that the authentic certificate is awarded only after audit and verification of the compliance to the relevant standard. Your company will have to demonstrate the system for the period of at least 3 months. If your company has already established a system in accordance with the standard requirement, you may invite certification body for the audit. In such case, the certificate is awarded after verification of compliance. It takes approximately 2-3 weeks for getting approval and award of the certificate. However, the period differs in case of various certification bodies.
- How can PQS help my organization in getting certified?
PQSmitra has developed a methodology for simple, practical, and effective system implementation at its client organizations. PQSmitra team supports client organization in following sequence
- Initial review at your organization to verify the status of the system
- Gap analysis and suggesting what is to be done
- 100% documentation support
- Onsite training, guidance and hand holding to your team members
- Assisting your organization while selection of the certification body
- Support while final certification audit and getting the organization certified.
- Does PQS ensure successful implementation of ISO Certification?
Yes. 100% support is offered for effective system implementation. Also Internal audits are performed to check the compliance prior to the certification audit to ensure the success.
- What is Consultancy, Documentation & Certification service? Are they individual services or part of single service?
Consultancy, Documentation & Certification service as a whole is offered by PQSmitra wherein we consult organizations of various industries in simplifying and improving their documentation, indirectly helping them to get certified without much difficulty.
These services can be availed individually but in overall context of Quality improvement are interconnected.
- What is consultancy? What consultancy does PQS provide?
Consultancy is a service provided by PQSmitra wherein our experienced professionals constantly guide and direct an organization in reaching the set goals, improving their overall day to day functioning and resolve any problems.
We at PQSmitra provide Management Consultancy Services to organizations for various International certifications and also for business performance improvement at client organizations from all sectors from India & overseas.
- What is Documentation? How can PQS help?
Documentation is a process of maintaining information in the form of records and data, which can be referred at any time, making it easy for an organization to access data.
PQSmitra with its rich 21 years of experience can help in simplifying the documentation process and making it a value added process instead of a time consuming activity.
- Can PQSmitra support my company even after certification?
Yes, PQSmitra has Routine Assistance Services specially designed for certified organizations. You may get in touch with us to know more about these services and benefits to your organization.
- What all location does PQS offers its services?
PQSmitra offers its services PAN India & overseas.
- What are the other services offered by PQS?
PQSMitra offers services mainly focusing on Performance Improvement at client organization.
The consultancy services are mainly in 6 verticals
- Consultation, Documentation & Certification for ISO and other International standards in the field of Quality, Environment, Safety, Security and Social Compliance etc.
- Consultation for customer specific compliances
- Business Management Consultation
- Business Promotion Services
- Training and Professional Qualifications
- Online MIS (Management Information System)
- Does PQS offer online consultation and documentation?
Yes. ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 consultation and certification services is provided online through Digital Platform such as Google Meet, Microsoft Team.
- What is IAF, Accreditation boards & Certification Bodies?
The IAF is the world association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation Bodies and other bodies interested in conformity assessment in the fields of management systems, products, services, personnel and other similar programmes of conformity assessment. Its primary function is to develop a single worldwide program of conformity assessment which reduces risk for business and its customers by assuring them that accredited certificates may be relied upon.
Accreditation boards are the members of IAF. Accreditation assures users of the competence and impartiality of the body accredited. There are many accreditation boards such as National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies – India (NABCB), United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ), German Accreditation (DAkks) etc.
These accreditation boards have control over the operations of the respective affiliated certification bodies such as TUV, ABS, DNV, RINA etc. These certification bodies have authority to audit the organization and recommend certification to accreditation boards.
- Are all the certification bodies with IAF member accreditation board? Does it make any difference while selection of the certification body for my company?
There are many certification bodies where the respective accreditation board is not the member of IAF for the specific standard. In such case, you may have to study further to check whether such certificate is acceptable to your customer. PQSmitra always suggest certification with IAF member accreditation board.
- Which points shall i consider while selection of the certification body for my company?
Some of the Important points which one needs to consider while selecting the Certification body are as follows:
- Authenticity of proposed certificate
- Recognition / Reputation of the certification body worldwide
- Cost of certification audit and issuance
- Are there any changes in document requirements by different certification bodies?
The Document requirements are based on the clauses mentioned in the ISO Standards only and does not change with certification bodies.
- Do I need to make major changes to get ISO certified?
The most important change required to avail the benefits of ISO Certification is change in mindset. ISO is a Quality Management system and is beneficial to improve overall Business of organization. The documentation involved is beneficial to monitor progress and track improvement rather than just an additional task.
- Is ISO similar to financial audits?
ISO audits is related to the System Management in which the overall process of the organization is taken in consideration. Whereas, in financial Audits only the financial aspect of an Organization is taken in consideration.