Your ISO 9001 Glossary

Accreditation is like a stamp of approval for certification bodies, showing they’re qualified to evaluate organizations against ISO 9001 standards. It adds credibility to the certification process, as these bodies meet international criteria.

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is a leading accreditation body in the United States. It provides accreditation to certification bodies, ensuring they adhere to international standards and contribute to the trustworthiness of ISO 9001 certifications.

A trained professional who assesses an organization’s QMS for compliance with ISO 9001 standards, identifying areas for improvement and verifying effective implementation.

Achieving ISO 9001 certification shows that your organization’s quality management system aligns with the standard’s requirements. It reflects a commitment to quality and can help build trust and credibility with your customers.

Compliance involves aligning your organization’s processes with ISO 9001 requirements and relevant legal and customer standards. It helps maintain quality and consistency in your operations.

This concept is about understanding the internal and external factors that can impact your organization’s goals. Recognizing these factors helps tailor your approach to managing quality in a way that fits your needs.

Continual improvement focuses on consistently enhancing processes, products, and services. It encourages organizations to adapt and evolve with changing demands, promoting long-term success.

Corrective action involves identifying and eliminating the root causes of nonconformities. This process is important for maintaining the effectiveness of a quality management system and avoiding future issues.

Customer satisfaction is central to ISO 9001, focusing on meeting or exceeding what customers expect. It plays a crucial role in building loyalty and enhancing an organization’s reputation.

Document control manages the creation, review, approval, and distribution of documents. It helps to keep all relevant information current and accessible, supporting consistent and accurate operations.

An external audit is an independent assessment of an organization’s quality management system. It verifies alignment with ISO 9001 and identifies opportunities for improvement.

The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) is responsible for accrediting certification bodies in Ireland. It ensures these bodies meet international standards, adding credibility and trust to the ISO 9001 certification process.

Interested parties include individuals or groups, like customers and regulators, who have a stake in an organization. Understanding their needs helps to align your quality management system with broader expectations.

Internal audits assess the effectiveness and compliance of an organization’s quality management system. They identify areas for improvement and support alignment with ISO 9001 standards.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops and publishes international standards, including ISO 9001. These standards provide frameworks that help organizations ensure quality, safety, and efficiency.

ISO 9001 is the go-to international standard for Quality Management Systems.

It provides a framework to help organizations consistently deliver products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

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Leadership in ISO 9001 involves setting quality objectives and fostering a culture of improvement. It plays a crucial role in guiding the organization toward achieving its quality goals.

A management review is an evaluation of a quality management system’s performance. It helps to assess the system’s effectiveness and how it works with the organization’s objectives.

A nonconformity happens when something doesn’t meet the set requirements within your quality management system. Fixing these issues is key to keeping quality high and avoiding them in the future.

Objectives are clear, measurable goals guiding your quality management efforts. They typically align with your overall quality policy and strategic goals.

Performance evaluation checks how well your QMS meets its goals, guiding decision-making and supporting improvement.

Process interaction looks at how different processes work together to achieve goals, boosting efficiency and effectiveness.

A Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of activities guiding how you manage quality. It helps organizations deliver products and services that meet customer expectations.

Every three years, a re-certification audit checks ongoing compliance with ISO 9001, confirming your Quality Management System’s (QMS) effectiveness.

In ISO 9001, risk refers to uncertainties that could impact quality goals, requiring identification and management for reliability.

Risk-based thinking builds risk consideration into decisions, helping anticipate challenges and promoting proactive quality management.

The scope outlines your Quality Management System’s (QMS) boundaries. It details which parts of the organization and processes are included for focused quality efforts.

A Stage 1 audit is an initial check of your Quality Management System’s documentation and readiness for full certification. It typically focuses on context and key processes.

A Stage 2 audit is a detailed evaluation to confirm your Quality Management System (QMS) meets ISO 9001 requirements. It involves interviews and evidence review.

A stakeholder is anyone with an interest in an organization’s performance, such as customers or employees. Engaging with stakeholders can help to align the quality management system with their needs and expectations.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the national accreditation body for the UK, recognized by the government. It ensures that certification bodies are competent to assess organizations against ISO 9001 standards, enhancing the reliability of certifications.