Discussion
I've started to chase more government work lately for one of my businesses (distribution) and am seeing pretty much continuous demands for ISO 9001 or equivalent as part of any tender responses.
Anyone got any experience in achieving this? Much effort involved? Costs?
We take our quality control etc serious and other than government work don't "need" this certificate.
Anyone got any experience in achieving this? Much effort involved? Costs?
We take our quality control etc serious and other than government work don't "need" this certificate.
How many employees do you have?
Are you a manufacturer, sales/export, design, warehouse where do you fit?
Costs are dependent on what you have to cover, the time involved to set up is dependent on how many procedures / work instructions you have to raise.
You will need to set up a formal documented quality management system in line with the standard ISO 9001 standard.
The word Shall appears in the standard 136 times, i.e.
Excerpt from the ISO9001 standard.
4.1 General requirements
The organization shall establish, document, implement and maintain a quality management system and continually improve its effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of this International Standard.
End.
So as long as you comply with all these shall’s then you will attain the ISO accreditation.
I've worked in most environs in engineering over the years, 10 within Quality management & consultancy.
I would suggest you first get a copy of the standard and have a read through.
HTH
Are you a manufacturer, sales/export, design, warehouse where do you fit?
Costs are dependent on what you have to cover, the time involved to set up is dependent on how many procedures / work instructions you have to raise.
You will need to set up a formal documented quality management system in line with the standard ISO 9001 standard.
The word Shall appears in the standard 136 times, i.e.
Excerpt from the ISO9001 standard.
4.1 General requirements
The organization shall establish, document, implement and maintain a quality management system and continually improve its effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of this International Standard.
End.
So as long as you comply with all these shall’s then you will attain the ISO accreditation.
I've worked in most environs in engineering over the years, 10 within Quality management & consultancy.
I would suggest you first get a copy of the standard and have a read through.
HTH
Kudos said:
thanks - just so some bloody civil servant can tick a box!
More positively....You then have a chance at tenders others don't
If a small outfit, then probably easy to do (less training of staff and.. alternative views..)
the government gets a supplier it has confidence in ability to provide the service.
ETR: stuff that wasn't related to distribution
Edited by lestag on Tuesday 16th November 01:21
Just to throw a curved ball.
W are not ISO9001 certified and have secured long term contracts via tender & reverse auctions with Kellogs, Land Rover, Budweiser, Mr Kipling, Hovis & Kingsmill to name a few.
We have not lost business because of it!
When evaluating a tender the ISO9001 question is just part of the "scoring" We have found that if you are good enough in the other areas it is not a must have.
Talk to the tender issuer!
W are not ISO9001 certified and have secured long term contracts via tender & reverse auctions with Kellogs, Land Rover, Budweiser, Mr Kipling, Hovis & Kingsmill to name a few.
We have not lost business because of it!
When evaluating a tender the ISO9001 question is just part of the "scoring" We have found that if you are good enough in the other areas it is not a must have.
Talk to the tender issuer!
mikey k said:
Just to throw a curved ball.
W are not ISO9001 certified and have secured long term contracts via tender & reverse auctions with Kellogs, Land Rover, Budweiser, Mr Kipling, Hovis & Kingsmill to name a few.
We have not lost business because of it!
When evaluating a tender the ISO9001 question is just part of the "scoring" We have found that if you are good enough in the other areas it is not a must have.
Talk to the tender issuer!
I note these are all private companies whereas my tenders are all public sector. Private companies can be "talked to" and explain situation on certification, however I believe public sector are purely box tickers. W are not ISO9001 certified and have secured long term contracts via tender & reverse auctions with Kellogs, Land Rover, Budweiser, Mr Kipling, Hovis & Kingsmill to name a few.
We have not lost business because of it!
When evaluating a tender the ISO9001 question is just part of the "scoring" We have found that if you are good enough in the other areas it is not a must have.
Talk to the tender issuer!
To be fair to them, any time I see a tender and it asks if we have 9001, it also states what alternative is in place.
For a £30k tender, is giving it to someone with certification worth it?
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