What is an ISO standard?

You may have encountered the concept of ISO certification or heard of ISO standards on various occasions — be it in negotiations with international partners, as a quality stamp in marketing, or as a requirement in public procurement. But what does that really entail?

The role of the ISO standard

An ISO standard is an internationally recognized guideline that describes best practices in a specific field. These standards are developed by experts and aim to ensure the quality, safety and efficiency of products, services and systems worldwide. Think of it simply as “an ISO standard describes the best way to do something”.

Basic principles:

• Universal application: An ISO standard can be used by any type of organization, regardless of size or industry.
• Fair guidelines: ISO standards create a level playing field for companies and facilitate international trade through common yardsticks. Do you just want suppliers who maintain the high quality of their products and services without scrutinizing each supplier in detail? Require that they are ISO 9001 certified.

How is ISO certification done?

The process of becoming ISO certified can be summarized in the following steps:

1. Choose the right standard: Depending on the company's orientation, there are different ISO standards to choose from, such as ISO 9001 for quality management or ISO 14001 for environmental management. The number of standards available is measured in the thousands, but some are more popular than others.
2. Prepare your organization: This means that you adapt your processes and procedures to meet the standards required. In fact, this is where the big work takes place when the organization needs to change to actually work in the new way.
3. Internal Audit: Before the external audit, you need to do one or more internal audits to ensure that everything is in place.
4. External audit: An independent auditor from a certification body evaluates your management system.
5. Improvement work: After the certification, the continuous work on maintaining and improving the system begins.

Remember, it's not just documentation.

A common misconception is that ISO certification is solely about producing a thick binder of documents. In fact, the focus is on creating efficient and sustainable work processes that contribute to the development and success of the company.

ISO certification — an investment in the future

As a leader, it is important to see ISO certification not only as a cost but as a fundamental investment in the quality and credibility of the company. By embracing these standards, you can ensure sustainable growth and a strong position in the market.

We at AmpliFlow understand that the path to ISO certification can seem complex. That's why we offer advice and support throughout the process to make it as smooth and rewarding for your business as possible. Contact us today to take the first step towards a certification that can transform the way you do business.

Interested in learning more about how ISO certification can benefit your business? Contact us at AmpliFlow for a consultation and let us help you on your journey towards successful ISO certification.

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