Why ISO 9001:2015 is important for your Computer Imprintable Durable Labels
Every detail matters when your products have strict industry regulations to meet, and one poor-quality batch from a component supplier can make all the difference. Whether your labels need to be chemical resistant, or stay secure in cryo storage at -196°C, by sourcing them from an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer, you can be sure that your labels will perform exactly as your product specifications demand, every time.
The New Certification
ISO 9001:2015 is the latest revision of the world’s most prevalent quality assurance standard, and was officially introduced in September 2015. While the previous version, ISO 9001:2008, will not be immediately outdated, companies must transition by 14th September 2018 to maintain valid certification.
The ISO 9001 framework helps companies to maintain and improve efficient working systems and, as a result, deliver consistently high-quality goods and services to their customers. It has been adopted by over 1 million companies around the world, and certification is recognised globally – with many organisations making it a “must have” for their suppliers and partners.
Several parts of the system have been revisited and refreshed for the 2015 edition. Its focus now includes all stakeholders – including suppliers and partners as well as customers, and the overall structure helps businesses make continual, incremental improvements to their operations. While thorough documentation is still considered a key element of managing quality, ISO 9001:2015 recognises that the production processes themselves are more important.
The Importance of Standards in the World of Labelling
Quality standards are a simple way to confidently assess that the labels you’re buying are consistently fit for purpose, and will meet your product specifications and industry regulations every time.
To guarantee quality, it’s worth checking ISO 9001 certification throughout your supply chain - from manufacture to delivery. For example, if your current label supplier holds an ISO 9001 certificate, it ensures that their working practices meet the standard, and that they have a system in place to reasonably vet their own suppliers. However, if they source their labels from a third party, it doesn’t guarantee that the actual manufacturing conditions will meet the same rigorous requirements. For this reason, it’s more reliable to source products directly from an ISO certified manufacturer, wherever possible.
If this is ever a concern for you, ask for a copy of your suppliers’ ISO 9001 certificates, as the scope of their certified ISO 9001 quality management practices – and whether it extends to manufacturing – should be clearly defined.
So whatever it is you need; from sensor calibration labels or aircraft component identification, to medical freezer labels or custom laboratory barcode labels, understanding the guaranteed level of quality could save costly or damaging errors from happening further down the line.
Benefits for Everyone
ISO 9001:2015 places greater emphasis on the satisfaction of all company stakeholders, including staff and suppliers as well as customers. By working to this framework, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to:
- Maintaining their “right first time” approach with the products they deliver
- Lowering costs, reducing waste and improving time-effectiveness internally and externally
- Listening to stakeholder feedback and responding quickly and appropriately
- Increasing staff empowerment, ultimately providing a smoother end-to-end service
- Working to maintain consistent and reliable quality, through well-managed and documented processes
Ensuring Excellence - Independent ISO Certification
How familiar are you with the organisation that issued your suppliers’ certificate? While ISO 9001 is a uniform standard, it can be reassuring to have the extra level of security that comes with a trusted name on the certificate seal.
The British Standards Institution (BSI), for example, is one of the world’s largest and most recognised certification bodies, providing quality assessments in over 180 countries. The BSI are themselves inspected and approved by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and ANAB (the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board) – organisations that are recognised by their respective governments (and many others around the world) as trusted certifiers of international standards.
While an ISO 9001:2015 certificate is an excellent standard of quality management for customers, suppliers and partners, certification and approval from world-known industry bodies can provide that extra level of quality to aid international trade.