ISO created a standard with a system that is intended to be flexible and adaptable for any industry. Systems such as ISO 9001:2015 is a very simple outline stating the requirement of the company’s quality management. There are 10 main clauses with some additional sub-clauses relating to the Plan-Do-Check-Act system. The system can be tailored to your company needs and to successfully implement it within the organisation, company must satisfy all the requirement along with meeting the customer needs and appropriate statutory requirement.
ISO Certification can be revoked. Each certificate is valid for 3 years and during this 3-year period, the certification body will return to verify that the company are still meeting the required standards. Surveillance audit will be conducted annually to ensure they meet their obligations and prevent the company from losing their certificate.
ISO 9001:2015 certification is credible. Everyone understands the standard of ISO 9001 in improving quality of the organisation and recognises the responsibility that comes along the certificate. In result, clients will be more inclined to do business with the ISO certified company because it conveys a professional image and ethics.
However, it’s a fact that company can be ISO 9001 certified by providing bare minimum documentation. This notion adds to the view that the value of certification has weakened. For instance, In India ISO rapidly lost its credibility due to no significant different between ISO company and non-ISO company. This is due to the main reason of satisfying just the basic requirement.
The ‘credibility’ problem rooted from the certification bodies. Very common cases are company being denied but still getting certified by another certification body. Demonstrating how some certification body works only for money and not for value, which influences the reputation of ISO and its credibility.
There will be organisations that will just fulfil the obligations. Some who will conduct a thorough study, and few will go beyond the extent of understanding the ISO and costumer requirement. After all, it is the auditor’s responsibility to confirm companies are following the requirements; not only providing the minimum threshold but showing improvement and commitment.
Every certification system does have its shortcoming. Hence, ISO 9001:2008 have been re-evaluated and upgraded to ISO 9001:2015 to address some issues and making sure it can adapt to the new changes and trends in both economic and social environment. In addition, accredited bodies are becoming more vigilant to avoid frauds within the consultancy and certification bodies.