Quality Management System according to ISO 9001

ISO 9001 is the most widespread International Standard that sets out the basic principles for ensuring the quality of products and services a company offers to its customers.

The role of quality in the business world has been upgraded and has become vital for businesses. This is since competition based upon selling price has turned into competition based upon the quality level of products and services.

Thus, the intensifying competition on a global scale and the growing awareness of buyers – users around quality issues, leads to a generalized movement of quality awakening, and the companies’ certification according to ISO 9001 is now the only way for their business continuity. In recent years, the implementation of a Quality Management System and its corresponding certification, is a prerequisite for the participation of a company in tenders announced by public or private organizations. Customers also, if they do not require, they at least appreciate the fact that a company has a Quality Certificate.

The development of a Quality Management System according to ISO 9001 ensures that the company implements all the necessary actions to:

demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services,
prove that its products and services meet customer requirements, and legislative and regulatory requirements
achieve customer satisfaction for products and services
continuously improve its operations to achieve its goals and aspirations for the quality of products and services.

The Quality Management System generally covers the following areas:

Stakeholders identification and their requirements and needs’ identification.
Assessing the risks and opportunities inherent in business activities and taking measures to minimize the risks and increase the benefits of the opportunities.
Definition of goals, indicators and targets for monitoring the effectiveness of both the quality of products and services and the quality management system itself.
Monitoring and control of the company’s production and administrative processes.
Procurement Control and Suppliers’ Assessment.
Measuring customer satisfaction and managing their complaints
Management of Non-Conformities
Identification and Implementation of Corrective Actions to prevent nonconformities.
Continuous improvement of the quality of products and services.

The development of a Quality Management System according to ISO 9001 essentially gives an “answer” to the above and can be combined with the implementation of other Management Systems, creating a Total Management System with reference to Quality, Environment, Occupational Health and Safety, Information Security, etc.

For more information about Management Systems, see the “Information Material” section.