ISO Certification
You hear a lot about ISO Certification every day – many manufacturers, including us here at RUD Chain, are proud to display the fact that we meet ISO standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Most people aren’t entirely sure what ISO Certification is, why it matters, or how it is earned – they just know it sounds impressive. Today, we want to look a little further in-depth into ISO and how certifications are earned.
What is ISO Certification?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is pretty much what its title suggests – an international, independent body made up of representatives from a number of national standards organization that sets forth international standards. The body creates standards used around the world to ensure a certain level of safety, reliability, efficiency, and quality. These standards help to safeguard consumers and allow for comparison of products and processes from different markets – in fact, there are nearly 20,000 standards in use worldwide. ISO Certification is the guarantee that a business meets certain standards for its products, services that it uses, or processes that are incorporated.
Who Performs Certifications?
ISO doesn’t perform the actual certifications, it merely sets the standard. External certification bodies will test, observe, and evaluate a product or process to make sure that it conforms to the standard that has been set forth. Certification bodies themselves have to undergo evaluations by ISO’s Committee on Conformity Assessment on a regular basis, to make sure they are performing their certifications correctly. They also generally will be accredited, meaning that their competence has been confirmed by the national accreditation body of your country.
How a Company Achieves Certification
ISO certifications can’t be earned through quick tests and quizzes, they are earned by a company having well-thought-out systems in place, and products that have undergone thorough design and development. A company, like us here at RUD, earns certification by demonstrating the ability to produces at a high level over a period of time, and within the standards set forth by ISO. Certifications have to be renewed on a regular basis, and companies can lose certifications if they fail to uphold the standards over time.
ISO Certification is a great way to measure business against each other, particularly in an ever-changing world with so many differences from nation to nation. It’s great for businesses to demonstrate their devotion to producing at a high level, and it’s great for customers who are looking for high standards. Read more about RUD’s ISO certification: http://www.rud.com/en/rud-group/quality.html
