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The much-anticipated ISO 9001 Revision 2015 has been formally published! What does this mean to you and your organization?
ISO 9001 hasn’t been updated since 2008, and that update was a ‘clarification’ update; the last time the standard saw a wholesale overhaul was the 2000 revision, when it went for 20 elemental clauses to 5 process-based clauses. This new ISO 9001:2015 revision may appear, at first glance, to be another wholesale change; however, closer inspection shows that many of the core values, clauses, and structure stays the same.
Answers to some commonly asked questions:
How long will I have to transition to ISO 9001 Revision 2015?
The ISO 9001 Revision 2015 allows 36 months to transition – so all ISO 9001:2008 certificates will have to be converted by September 2018. The International Accreditation Forum, or IAF, has also issued IAF ID 9 – which provides additional info on transition for organizations, certification bodies, and accreditation bodies.
What are the major changes to ISO 9001 Revision 2015?
The main changes in the new version of ISO 9001:2015 are:
i) The adoption of the HLS as set out in Annex SL of ISO Directives Part 1.
ii) An explicit requirement for risk-based thinking to support and improve the understanding and application of the process approach.
iii) Fewer prescribed requirements.
iv) Less emphasis on documents.
v) Improved applicability for services.
vi) A requirement to define the boundaries of the QMS.
vii) Increased emphasis on organizational context.
viii) Increased leadership requirements.
ix) Greater emphasis on achieving desired outcomes to improve customer satisfaction. – IAF ID 9
How should I start transition to ISO 9001 Revision 2015?
Organizations using ISO 9001:2008 are recommended to take the following actions:
i) Identify organizational gaps which need to be addressed to meet new requirements.
ii) Develop an implementation plan.
iii) Provide appropriate training and awareness for all parties that have an impact on the effectiveness of the organization.
iv) Update the existing quality management system (QMS) to meet the revised requirements and provide verification of effectiveness.
v) Where applicable, liaise with their Certification Body for transition arrangements.
– IAF ID 9
Where can I go for additional assistance?
You can attend our ISO 9001:2015 Revision Workshop or contact us for more info on making a seamless transition to ISO 9001 revision 2015.