What Is ISO Certification and Why Is It Important?

Meeting customer requirements begins with building trust. For Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), product designers, and distributors, this means ensuring all products and processes adhere to globally recognized standards for quality. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) offers certification that communicates a company’s commitment to these standards. More than just a stamp of approval, ISO standards have implications for your success. Learn why ISO certification matters from Sierra Pacific Engineering and Products (SPEP). 

What is ISO Certification? Understanding the Different Types 

ISO is a well-established, non-governmental organization that develops standards for products, services, and systems. Over the years, ISO has published thousands of standards adopted by multiple countries. ISO certification signifies that a business complies with these globally recognized standards. 

From manufacturing to healthcare to agriculture, many industries rely on ISO standards. However, not every industry has the same considerations. As such, ISO offers multiple certifications, each with a unique set of standards and requirements. Some of the most relevant within the manufacturing space include: 

What is ISO 9001 Certification? 

ISO 9001 is part of the family of ISO 9001 quality management standards. ISO 9001 outlines requirements for quality management systems (QMS). ISO 9000 also includes ISO 9001:2015, which covers the fundamentals and key terms, plus several industry-specific applications, such as:  

• ISO 13485:2016: Medical devices
• ISO/TS 54001:2019: QMS implemented in government organizations
• ISO 18091:2019: QMS for local governments 
• ISO 22163:2023: Railway QMS 
• ISO 29001:2020: Petroleum, petrochemical, and natural gas
• ISO/IEC/IEEE 90003:2018: Software engineering 

What is ISO 14000 Certification? 

The ISO 14000 family of standards focuses on environmental management, with ISO 14001 providing specific requirements for creating an environmental management system (EMS). Applicable across industries, ISO 14001 demonstrates to internal and external stakeholders that your organization is committed to measuring and improving its environmental impact.. In addition to guiding efforts with EMS and responding to environmental concerns like climate change, ISO 14001 offers standards for internal auditing, communication, and similar tasks.

Why is ISO 9001 Certification Important? 

Every business strives to ensure quality, consistency, and safety. Achieving this begins with well-defined business processes on the manufacturing floor and extends into developing high-quality products and services that exceed customer expectations. By becoming ISO 9001 certified, or certified in other ISO standards, you communicate your dedication to adhering to globally recognized standards that businesses within your industry follow. 

ISO certification is more than a reassurance for your stakeholders. It can have an enduring effect on your key objectives. Consider these benefits of ISO: 

Enhanced Productivity 

The requirements of ISO support more effective quality assurance. As quality processes improve, so will other business processes. Reliable systems for quality control can boost efficiency, help reduce waste, and enable cost savings. 

Meeting Customer Needs 

Together with cost and convenience, quality is a top concern among customers. ISO certification demonstrates that your business adheres to quality objectives when manufacturing products and designing services. Consumers notice the difference between your offerings and competitors, increasing customer satisfaction. You can realistically sell higher-quality products and services at a premium, helping you maintain a competitive advantage while potentially growing sales. 

Better Risk Management 

ISO certification can help you identify blind spots that increase risk. For example, you might more easily pinpoint a risky process approach with your QMS when you comply with ISO 9001 standards. It encourages risk-based thinking that can reduce the likelihood of product or service failures and the resulting safety or legal issues.  

Stronger Decision-Making 

Whether adhering ISO 9001, 14001, or another framework, ISO certification offers a better understanding of your organization’s key functions. As you allow quality management principles to guide all processes, you can make more evidence-based decisions for continuous improvement.  

How Do Businesses Obtain ISO Certification?  

The first step in pursuing ISO certification is selecting the right certification body. While ISO develops standards and requirements, it does not perform the certification process. The responsibility is given to the independent certification bodies. These external certification bodies are subject to accreditation bodies, which confirm a certification body operates according to international standards. Examples of organizations that cooperate with ISO for accreditation include: 

• International Accreditation Forum (IAF):  A global association of Conformity Assessment Accreditation Bodies and other groups concerned with conformity assessment regarding management systems, products, services, and other aspects of business 
• International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC): An international organization for accreditation bodies that operate according to ISO/IEC 17011 and for conformity assessments for several ISO standards

Additionally, certification bodies must use the appropriate CASCO standard. CASCO refers to the ISO committee for conformity assessment, which creates policies and standards for conformity assessment. 

How to Obtain ISO 9001 Certification 

ISO 9001 certification is arguably the most common of ISO standards. Follow these steps to get ISO 9001 certified:

• Define core processes and pinpoint areas for improvement. 
• Use these findings to develop a QMS that aligns with ISO standards. 
• Create documentation outlining updated processes and share it across the business. 
• Implement the new QMS, using the documentation as a guide and metrics to track progress.
  • Train employees in new practices according to the updated QMS.
• Create a reporting system for teams to promptly communicate issues as they arise.  Management reviews and handles these issues as needed. 
• Schedule an external audit with the certification body. 
  • The auditor will evaluate the QMS at all levels to determine if it meets ISO standards.
• Register the QMS for certification upon passing the audit. 
  • Supply the certification body with all documentation for review. 
  • If documentation passes review, the business earns ISO certification. 

Industries are continuously evolving, and standards change accordingly. . QMS auditing is required every three years to maintain ISO certification. Successfully passing each audit ensures your business achieves recertification. 

Find an ISO Certified Partner in SPEP 

It is not enough to ensure your business adheres to ISO standards – you want to confirm your suppliers share your same commitment to quality and consistency.  Sierra Pacific and Engineering Products (SPEP) is ISO 9001:2015 certified and develops a range of industrial access hardware, from latches to hinges and more, that are UL-listed and -recognized. With us, OEMs and product engineers like you have a reliable partner who helps enhance the quality of their projects. Contact us today.