Talk with business owners and management about ISO 9001 Certification and they might recognize the term, but most are unable to explain what it is or why it is beneficial. Experts would say that it is valuable to both the company and the customer, and for several reasons.

• To the company that seeks and maintains ISO 9001 Certification, it is an internal evaluation process that ensures the firm is following the very best business practices
• To the consumer, it means that the firm is following ISO standards voluntarily, ensuring the highest quality end results that are certain to meet or exceed their expectations

How does this all happen? That has to begin with a thorough understanding of ISO 9001.

So, to begin with, what does ISO 9001 mean?

ISO 9001 Explained

As one machining company explained, “The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) gives requirements for a company’s quality management system (QMS). Although ISO is the organization that came up with these standards, it’s important to note that they do not certify companies.”

That, according to ISO, is true. They also say that any firm seeking ISO 9001 certification will want to take some time in choosing the entity that does provide the ISO 9001 Certification. They explain it this way, “a company or organization cannot be certified by ISO. However, ISO’s Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO) has produced a number of standards related to the certification process, which are used by certification bodies.”

They go on to explain that certification means “the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements.”

The groups are also accredited, which means a second group ensures that the “certification body operates according to international standards.”

That tells you several important things. A company’s processes and end products are reviewed by a group that applies relevant CASCO standards. They will then certify that the company is at the ISO 9001 standards. That firm itself is also evaluated by an accredited group that says the certification practices are valid and reputable. There are many checks and balances in that array of evaluations, but it is the only by which the firm you choose to purchase from can be seen as upholding those ISO standards.

Choosing the Right ISO 9001 Certification Process

To guarantee the companies you work with create and implement those better processes and generate the best outcomes (whether it is products or services) for your customers, we’d suggest you ensure that they have done the following:

• See how they are certified
• Ensure that the certification body selected relied on the right or the most relevant CASCO standards
• Ensure that the certification body is also accredited. NOTE: This is not mandatory, and a firm that is NOT accredited should still be considered reliable or reputable. However, you want to be 100% certain that the standards you uphold are backed up by this double level of confirmation. So, work with a certification body accredited within its industry. The ISO suggest using the International Accreditation Forum to find the right agencies for your area of work or specialization

Reasons to Purchase from ISO 9001 Certified

If the company you are going to buy materials, products, or services from is ISO 9001 Certified by an accredited body, it is quite likely that you are ensured the very best outcomes. As that machining firm noted, when “products and services conform to International Standards, consumers have confidence that they are safe, reliable and of good quality. ISO 9001 means that all of a company’s processes (customer service, sales, customer support, purchasing, product development) are audited annually to ensure that they are offering the best possible quality of service.”

The companies reap benefits too, such as consistent output, low to zero defect rates, and an increase in sales or revenue based on reputation. It is a marker that sets any company apart and ensures customers that they can and should return repeatedly.

Barcodes, Labels, and Tags with ISO 9001 Certification

At Express, you are able to rest assured that you can find a wide array of barcodes, custom barcodes, and other identification products in complete compliance with ISO 9001:2015. Their mission is to lead the barcode and label manufacturing industry, lead in the creation of new identification products, and always have the capabilities to provide customers with the highest quality products and services. Their commitment to retain their ISO 9001 certification is evidence of upholding that mission, and they offer premium products and services to back it up.