Creating a high-quality workflow system is essential to achieving success in nearly every business. In addition to ensuring a company operates effectively, obtaining a quality management system standard, such as ISO 9001, is also a necessary part of product manufacturing in a variety of foreign countries. Lloyd Industries is proud to announce it has obtained an ISO 9001 (2015) quality management system standard certification for operations in Hong Kong, demonstrating its commitment to delivering top-notch products and services while adhering to internationally recognized quality standards.
What Is an ISO 9001 Certification?
A well-designed workflow guarantees the consistent quality of the products and services a company offers. The certification approves a company’s workflow and identifies who is responsible for each process involved in the production concerning an item’s quality. Over one million companies around the world possess an ISO 9001 certification. Utilizing this certification ensures your customers are receiving products and services that consistently meet their expectations.
How Does ISO 9001 Work?
There are five stages a company must undergo to receive this certification:
- Optional preliminary audit
- Certification audit
- Issue of certification
- Annual surveillance audit
- Recertification within three years
The first step involves an optional audit by qualified staff that determines the current workflow system’s success. This audit allows a company to make changes to its processes before applying for ISO 9001 to ensure it receives its certification. The second step is the official audit in which the company is subjected to assessment and evaluation of efficiency and quality by the certification board. Once the company’s processes are within the standards for certification, the company is officially approved. Each year, the company must undergo a surveillance audit to ensure it is still in compliance with the certification standards. Three years after the initial certification, the company undergoes a full audit again to determine whether or not it has continuously improved and evolved its processes.
Complying With ISO 9001
To comply with ISO 9001, a company must ensure its quality standards are understood and accepted by its employees and leadership team. If a company is interested in achieving this certification, there are nine steps that it can complete to safeguard itself for certification.
- Learn about ISO 9001: Understanding the certification requirements is essential to guaranteeing compliance.
- Gap analysis: Determine any weak points in your workflow and correct them before applying for ISO 9001.
- Develop a project plan: Decide how you will break down each team, which team will be responsible for each task, and how leadership will steer each team.
- Train employees: Employee awareness and training are some of the most critical parts when obtaining ISO 9001. If a company’s employees don’t understand or appreciate the role they play in the company’s success, the lack of buy-in will create harm in the plan’s overall success.
- Provide documentation: Don’t forget to document your processes in line with any ISO 9001 requirements.
- Implement the plan: Employ any new procedures and conduct reviews to determine successes or failures.
- Internal audits: Train employees to serve as internal auditors and encourage frequent internal audits.
- Prepare for the official registration audit: Schedule your audit and appropriately prepare your organization.
- Improvements: Continuously monitor your results, update your project plan, and provide updated training to employees.
Lloyd Industries
Lloyd Industries has more than 35 years of experience designing and manufacturing HVAC products and fire dampers. The company’s commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction are evident in its products and certifications. Lloyd Industries is proud to be ISO 9001 certified and continue producing fire protection equipment in Hong Kong. For more information about our products, visit our website at www.firedamper.com.
