ISO 9001 Changes
As many of you realize, the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) is required to review
standards approximately every 5-8 years, and, if warranted, make
changes. Regarding ISO 9001, a Technical Committee, TC 176, is
charged with this responsibility. Many clients that have been
certified for some years may have been through this experience in
the past, for example when ISO 9001 changed from the 1987 version to
the 1994 version and then again when it changed to the current, 2000
version. The last change was quite significant, moving the approach
from one that was based on twenty elements to one that is process
based. That change took some time to implements and make needed
adjustments to internal and external audit processes.
Well, ISO 9001 is about to change again. But, the good (no GREAT)
news is that the changes are cosmetic or explanatory in nature - in
other words, no big changes, NO NEW REQUIREMENTS. So what does this
mean to clients, both certified and not-yet-certified.
*** Whitepaper: ISO 9001:2008 – A detailed checklist for
upgrading
Following is
a list of actions that will take place or things to consider.
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The ISO 9001 standard is due to be released as
ISO 9001:2008 some time before year’s end.
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As soon as it is issued, SQA will notify its
clients that the standard is now effective. We will also provide
information as to where to purchase a copy. (Typically, a copy
can be purchased from ASQ or ANSI.)
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Clients already certified to ISO 9001:2000
will need to:
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Obtain a copy of the revised standard.
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Review the changes and make a
determination if any of the changes will require a change to
your organization’s Quality Management System (QMS).
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If changes are needed, make and implement
them in a timely manner (try not to exceed six months).
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Clients not yet certified to ISO 9001:2000
have two options (at least for about six months).
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Move forward with certification under the
requirements of ISO 9001:2000; update to ISO 9001:2008 at
the first surveillance audit.
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Wait; obtain a copy of ISO 9001:2008;
review changes; make changes; then proceed with
certification to ISO 9001:2008.
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SQA cannot update any existing certificates
until both of the following actions have taken place:
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NOTE: There are some standards that have ISO
9001 as their foundation, e.g., ISO/TS 16949 or the AS9100
series. The changes to ISO 9001 (2008 revision) will not have
any immediate effect on these standards. However, it is to be
expected that the “owners” of these standards will take steps to
incorporate the changes into their respective standards. If your
organization is currently certified to ISO/TS 16949 or AS9100,
take no immediate action. Instead, wait to see what transpires.
As with the ISO 9001 standard, as soon as SQA knows what is
changing, we will notify our clients. In those special cases
where an SQA client has a certificate to ISO/TS 16949 or AS9100,
and also has an ISO 9001:2000 certificate, SQA will be able to
treat it in accordance with the steps outlined above.
As with all such changes, you should discuss them
with the SQA auditor assigned to your organization. Of course, you
are also free to call the SQA office at your convenience
SQA stands out in the crowd of ISO 9000 Registrars –
contact
us today to begin.
*** Whitepaper: ISO 9001:2008 – A detailed checklist for
upgrading
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Choose SQA
as your ISO 9000 Registrar today.
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 A
representative from SQA would like to discuss your certification needs.
Contact us at 330-762-4231 today
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