How–to Make a Smooth Transition from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015
Your company may already be ISO 9001:2008-compliant and certified, but with the revision of the standard, you may find that you now no longer meet requirements for the 2015 standard. For recertification purposes, you will need to make the transition from ISO: 2008 to ISO 9001:2015, and it may seem like a daunting task. Here is where the professional help of experienced ISO 9001 consultants comes in handy.
Fortunately, our team works with ISO 9001 transitions on a regular basis and can assist you in making the transition smoothly and successfully, without breaking the bank. Our ISO 9001 consultants will advise you on the steps to follow and will also be able to perform a GAP analysis to help you identify the areas where change is required. It is thus best to first speak to our ISO 9001 consultants regarding the changes in the standard before proceeding with the transition. Below are the main steps to follow for a smooth transition.
Step 1 – Get an Overview
Skip all the Internet research and small talk about changes and get the right information. Our ISO 9001 consultants will help you understand aspects such as the transition deadline, which is set for September 2018. It gives you adequate time, if you start now, to ensure that the transition is made by then. Keep in mind that the transition deadline can be earlier, based on your certification body’s regulations. Understand when transition audits must be made. Ask our ISO 9001 consultants whether your firm will need to have a standalone transition audit done, or where it will be scheduled as part of the recertification process. You will need to set dates for the audits, with consideration for time needed to address appropriate changes. In most instances, companies want to stay compliant with their existing ISO 9001:2008 requirements and if your firm falls within the above category, find out from our consultants what needs to be done. Make a note of the current certification expiration date.
Step 2 – Get the Standard
Knowledge is power. It might be a cliché, but it is still true, and the best thing to do is to get the source document to ensure that you understand the new structure requirements. Order the standard and supporting documents to keep at the office and study it. Better yet, make sure your executive managers, quality control officers, everyone involved in the development and implementation of the new standard, and audit teams undergo training in ISO 9001:2015. We offer relevant training and our consultants can advise you one the correct training. Let our consultants conduct a GAP analysis to identify shortcomings that should be addressed as soon as possible. In many instances, your company’s processes may already be compliant and as such, you will save time and money by focussing on the areas where changes must be made, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. Some areas may need additional work and here you will also benefit from our consultancy services.
Step 3 – Implementation
Once you have an overview of what needs to be done, and have ensured that everyone has been trained and have the standard, as well as having had a GAP analysis done, you are ready to address the implementation of the changes. Once done, it will be time to review the implemented changes and perform an audit to ensure that weaknesses can be identified and the necessary steps taken to ensure compliance with ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
The review process must be completed before you have the audits conducted. It is essential to allow enough time to conduct internal audits before the transition audit. Leave about two months between the internal audits and the transition audit date. This will make it possible to address shortcomings adequately before the transition audit. The management review is essential to determine how effective your updated ISO 9001 quality management system is. Ask our consultants about a checklist and use it for the internal audits. You will not need to renumber documents and you do not have to throw out all the documents and the quality manual. There is room for flexibility and you can start with what you already have in place.
Important clauses are sub-clause 4.1, dealing with the organisation’s context, sub-clause 5, dealing with leadership, and sub-clause 6.1, dealing with risk and opportunities. Make a smooth and successful transition from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015 with the help of our ISO 9001 consultants.