ISO 9001 Quality

ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard for quality management which encompasses requirements covering customer satisfaction, complaints, supply chain verification, document controls and continual improvement.

In recent times, certification to ISO 9001 has become a prerequisite when working with the public sector inclusive of local authorities, central government and large private sector companies.

Implementing a quality management system not only provides a framework for meeting mandatory requirements of the standard, it also includes customer requirements whilst accompanying existing systems.

The need for standardisation stems from around 1901, whereby work commenced on standardising iron, steel and the rail networks. More recently in 1987, ISO 9001 (quality management standard) was launched after being inspired by the British Standard BS 5750. A major revision to the standard means the latest standard you can obtain certification to is ISO 9001:2015.

• Increased chances of successful PQQ, tenders and bids
• Improved business reputation & corporate image
• Cost savings from efficiency improvements
• Increased staff morale leading to decreased staff turnover
• Reduced insurance premiums
• Increase willingness of investors & banks to lend
• Formal document & record control system
• Consistency throughout business
• Improve customer satisfaction
• Marketing tool (eligibility to display logo on business stationary)

ISO 14001 Environmental

ISO 14001 is an international standard that specifies requirements for controlling and improving environmental performance throughout a business. It also requires an organisation to identify, and demonstrate compliance with environmental legislation, as well as setting environmental objectives to continually improve performance. With ever increasing pressure on organisations to prove their environmental credentials, holding ISO 14001 certification can demonstrate compliance and environmental commitment.

An environmental management system can provide savings through energy reductions, reducing the chance of fines through potential non-compliance with legislation. Through the identification of environmental aspects and their actual or potential impact, ISO 14001 considers areas such as waste streams, chemical storage, air emissions and energy usage. The standard recognises the concerns between maintaining profitability and managing environmental impacts, therefore, it does not specify any requirements to implement costly environmental improvements.

ISO 14001 was originally published in 1996, with the latest version recently published (ISO 14001:2015). Environmental legislation is typically enforced by Local Authorities and the Environment Agency.

Potential Benefits

• Increased chances of successful PQQ, tenders and bids
• Cost savings through reductions in energy usage and natural resources (electricity, gas and fuel)
• Calculate your Co2 emissions through carbon foot-printing (direct & indirect emissions)
• Reduce resource wastage
• Identification of significant impacts
• Increased environmental awareness and staff morale
• Reduced possibilities of fines due to non-compliance with legislation
• Achieve savings through structured and efficient work (process improvements)
• Demonstrate your sustainability & environmental commitment
• Improved business reputation & corporate image
• Marketing tool (eligibility to display logo on business stationary)

ISO 45001 Health and Safety

Whilst Health & Safety legislation is well publicised, ISO 45001:2018 provides a verification of compliance against a vast number of legal requirements.

Health & Safety compliance is a mandatory item for any organisation, even micro organisations; those that are not required to document a formal policy (under 5 employees). Legislation specifies that individuals, rather than companies, can be held liable for not adhering to health and safety requirements.

ISO 45001:2018 is an International Standard that is widely recognised for demonstrating an organisation’s commitment to health and safety through robust controls and monitoring processes. It provides the mechanisms to identify relevant legislation and demonstrate compliance thus minimising risk to employees and the business.

Health & Safety legislation is typically enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or via Local Authorities.

Potential Benefits 

• Increased chances of successful PQQ, tenders and bids
• Improved business reputation & corporate image
• Reduced accident rate
• Reduction in downtime from accidents & incidents
• Improved staff morale
• Cost savings from efficiency improvements
• Demonstration of compliance with legislation
• Increased stakeholder confidence
• Satisfies requirements for other H&S certifications/accreditations (SSIP)
• Reduced insurance premiums
• Marketing tool (eligibility to display certification logo on business stationery)

Integration

Implementing two or more management standards in an integrated manner can lead to a reduction in costs due to a range of common requirements between the standards, therefore reducing duplication. The latest Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety standards have all been written in a manner that reflects the fact that many organisations are choosing to implement and seek certification to more than one management standard. The Annex SL structure for management systems has been developed to provide a framework allowing integration with the common requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.

If you already operate one system, we will work in alignment with the current framework and bolt-on any additional management system framework requirements after reviewing your current practices for compliance. If you are starting from scratch, we will create an integral system that covers the requirements of the relevant standards.

Potential benefits

• Reduction in costs (implementation, certification and auditing)
• Reduces duplication
• Easy access to one system that encompasses multiple standards
• Satisfies all mandatory and common requirements of relevant standards within a consistent format

We also offer support and guidance for accreditations such as Acclaim, Builders Profile, Building Confidence, CHAS, Construction Line, FORS, Safe Contractor, SMAS, and other industry specific accreditations. A certified health and safety management system (ISO 45001), can also help to satisfy the requirements of third-party safety certifications (SSIP) by utilising the certificate of registration to demonstrate compliance and reduce duplication of completing several seperate accreditation questionnaires.