Are you already ISO 27001 certified and considering ISO 9001 certification? Leveraging your existing management system can significantly simplify the process. Let's explore how to build on your ISO 27001 foundation to achieve ISO 9001 certification efficiently!
Understanding ISO 9001 and ISO 27001
ISO 27001 is centered around Information Security Management System (ISMS), aiming to protect information assets.
On the other hand, ISO 9001 is a globally recognized standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS). It helps organizations of all sizes and sectors improve their performance, meet customer expectations and demonstrate their commitment to quality. Its requirements define how to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve a QMS. Within the ISO 9000 family, which defines 7 quality management principles including a strong customer focus and continual improvement, ISO 9001 is the only standard that can be certified to.
But why should an organization pursue ISO 9001 certification? 🤔
▸ Customer Satisfaction: Being compliant with ISO 9001 means that you understand your customers' needs and reduce errors. So you can increase customer confidence in your ability to deliver services.
▸ Better Supplier Relationships: Using best-practice processes contributes to more efficient supply chains, and better collaboration.
▸ Winning Contracts: As the ISO 9001 is recognized globally and can increase the organization's reputation, clients is more likely to stick around.
▸ Cost Savings: You can reduce costs by following industry best practices and focusing on quality.
Common Elements between ISO 9001 and ISO 27001
While the focus areas of ISO 27001 & ISO 9001 differ, both standards share several common elements that can be leveraged to streamline the certification process. There are a lot of similarities between ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 that can be accomplished together.
✓ Context of the Organization - Both standards require organizations to identify and define the internal & external factors that impact them, including values, culture, resources and regulations. Additionally, organizations must recognize the interested parties, such as customers, suppliers, employees, and regulatory bodies.
✓ Allocation Process - Both standards require businesses to assign owners to execute different duties of the compliance process. Although the roles and responsibilities within the QMS and ISMS differ, they must both be clearly defined.
✓ Competence, Awareness, Communication and Document Control - These requirements are not only common to ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 but also to other standards. They can be addressed simultaneously and using similar approaches.
✓ Measurement and Monitoring - Both standards require organizations to continuously monitor their business systems to ensure that the desired levels of efficiency are consistently achieved. Also, organizations must follow a systematic process of assessing and quantifying various aspects to ensure that the requirements and objectives are met.
✓ Internal Audits and Management Review - While the audit requirements and the inputs & outputs of reviews differ, the process of conducting them remains the same.
✓ Nonconformity and Corrective Action - The process of managing nonconformities and corrective actions can be identical for both standards, so there is no need to distinguish between them.
Specific Requirements for ISO 9001
While there are several commonalities, ISO 9001 has specific requirements including a strong focus on customer satisfaction, and comprehensive risk management related to product and service quality. In contrast, ISO 27001 primarily focuses on managing information security risks.
Steps to Transition from ISO 27001 to ISO 9001
1️⃣ Gap analysis
Conduct a gap analysis to identify areas where your current ISO 27001 management system meets ISO 9001 requirements and where additional work is needed.
2️⃣ Document the processes
Develop and document the necessary processes and procedures specific to ISO 9001. A process is a set of activities that uses resources to transform inputs into outputs. The ISO 9001 is based on a process approach. Processes must have defined objective(s), input(s), output(s), tools or resources that are required, and ideally, a flowchart.
3️⃣ Training
Ensure your team is trained on the new requirements and understands their roles in the QMS.
4️⃣ Implementation
Implement the new requirements, integrating them with your existing management system.
5️⃣ Internal audits
Conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 standard.
6️⃣ Management review
Perform a management review to assess the effectiveness of the QMS and make necessary adjustments.
7️⃣ Certification audit
Engage with a certification body to conduct the ISO 9001 certification audit.
Achieving ISO 9001 certification may seem daunting, but by leveraging your existing ISO 27001 management system, you can streamline the process. Focus on the specific requirements of ISO 9001, conduct thorough gap analysis, and ensure your team is well-prepared. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to enhancing your organization's quality management and customer satisfaction.
"Quality is everyone's responsibility"
W. Edwards Deming
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