ISO 9001 Certification: What It Means for Your Business’ Reputation (Demo)

Since 1987, the ISO 9001 standard has been recognized internationally as the basis of a well-managed, customer-focused business system. For companies that have achieved certification, the benefits are numerous, including cost savings, enhanced customer satisfaction, access to new markets, increased market share, and environmental benefits. Recently, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), a consortium of American universities located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, became an ISO 9001:2008 certification recipient. ORAU announced this in a press release dated Jan 27, 2014. Here is an excerpt from that announcement:

ORAU announced today (Jan 27, 2014) it has received the ISO 9001:2008 certification for its quality management system. This recognition from the International Organization for Standardization validates that ORAU’s quality processes and systems meet specific criteria for ensuring consistent and continuously improving quality systems that fulfill customer requirements. “We are pleased to achieve this internationally known recognition for our quality systems and processes,” said Andy Page, ORAU president and CEO. “ORAU employees are proud of the quality of products and services we consistently deliver to our customers. And to further emphasize how much quality is a priority for us, even in this era of tough economic times, ORAU made the conscious decision to invest its resources to pursue ISO 9001 certification.”

Page added that the certification is “another means to demonstrate to our customers that we will continuously adhere to a high set of standards, whether it’s in our quality management system or our environmental programs.” If your company’s vision is similar to that of ORAU, it will greatly benefit from an ISO 9001 certification, as well. Many organizations make claims that the quality of their products and services are ‘up to standard’. However, only with an ISO 9001 certification can a company demonstrate that it has an established and functional quality management system (QMS) that meets the highly respected requirements of the international community. Once your organization is certified, you’ll have the proof you need to tell your customers and the world that your QMS is, indeed, ‘up to standard’. Firms like International Standards Authority, Inc. are accredited ISO certification 9001 registrars. Talk to their representatives to learn more about the process and what it can mean for your business. (Source: ORAU receives ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality management systems, Orau.org, Jan. 27, 2014)