17 Feb How to Get ISO Certified: 4 Stages
We understand that whole process of becoming ISO compliant can be a little confusing at first. We get asked, “How does my organization get ISO certified?” and, “Where do I start?” SafeWrite is here for you. We’ll help keep the entire process on the rails and see it through to completion. Now that we’re on this journey together, let’s start with a step-by-step guide of the 4 stages of your ISO accreditation to get started:
Gap Analysis
All business owners and managers should start their ISO journey by reviewing their current systems and comparing how it stacks up against the ISO framework. Once the gaps are identified, these should be highlighted and form the focus of improvement.
Documented Information
The central point of all internal business systems should be your manual. This gives all staff a clear direction of internal processes and procedures which helps reduce errors, re-works, and lead time. Not only does it help business operate, it’s also the first thing auditors will review during your ISO audit.
For most business owners, the idea of documenting all of their internal systems and re-working them to align to the ISO standard can be a daunting task. However, the SafeWrite platform offers a pre-built library with approximately 70-90% of the required content ready to go.
Implementing Your Management System
The next step in the ISO certification process is implementation. How do you show to an auditor that you are performing the processes and tasks outlined in the manual?
This one can be tricky, and it’s often where an organization can fail an audit. Mainly its because many organizations believe that just having the documentation in place is enough to get them through the audit. However, this is not the case.
A proper registers and reminders is required to prove to an auditor that you are implementing your management system effectively. Without a proper register with reminders, a document alone will not pass the audit. Luckily, SafeWrite comes pre-built with appropriate registers and reminders designed specifically to meet the requirements of the audit. The tool even has reminders and notifications so nothing is left behind.
Audit & Ongoing Management
Once the three steps above have been successfully completed, the auditor will then issue the business with the ISO Certificate and registered on the JAS/ANZ register. The accreditation is valid for three years. Surveillance audits are conducted every twelve months.
This is why it is important to continue to maintain and update your management system beyond your certification audit. Not only will it keep the auditor happy, it will allow you to identify improvements and modifications to make your internal processes more efficient and effective.
How to Get ISO Certified Quickly
Getting ISO certified can be a serious investment of time, resources, and ultimately money. But the cascade of benefits that come with receiving ISO accreditation are huge, so the upfront investment is well worth the time. What if it were possible to halve the average time it takes to become ISO complaint? You could save time and money.
Implementing the SafeWrite platform as a means of becoming ISO compliant has helped organizations across the globe get ISO certified in up to half the time it can take an organization not using our platform. The first step of becoming ISO compliant is to not waste time, money, and resources throughout the process.
Becoming ISO certified provides your customers with assurance regarding key elements of your organization depending on the standard. Get SafeWrite today, and we’ll be there to help guide your organization through the process. This will significantly reduce the amount of time and help to eliminate snags along the way.
