by Dave Moskal

While the technical committees may yet change the content of ISO 9001:2015, it is unlikely that they will change much of the content dictated by Annex SL. This provides for a common language for all management system standards, usually in the area of supporting processes. While this update is filled with politics and positioning, complicated by different languages and motives, a consistent Annex SL language is still likely. Consequently, we have a pretty good idea of what these common areas...

Perhaps the most significant change we will see in ISO 9001:2015 is the new structure. Such a significant change might be a little concerning because of the extensive history of the ISO 9001 structure, but the reason for the change makes sense: to adopt the common approach outlined in Annex SL, the new document that all ISO management system standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and the recently released ISO 27001, must follow.

Although many of us are anxiously awaiting the 2015 ISO 9001, we are aware of one important change that eliminates one long-standing source of frustration. In previous years it was noted that the management system standards of various ISO standards appeared to have the same overarching goal but the language and specific details were different. This subtle difference has been a cause of confusion for organizations and auditors alike.

Using a formal, established process can bring a successful ISO process to your business. We use a 4-6 month implementation process containing a number of key steps. We start with project planning and commit to a firm certification date and help you choose the best certification body for your needs. We document the System Design and then review, modify & finalize with all process managers. Then we provide awareness training and support throughout the audit process.

Resistance to change is part of human nature. Although ISO standards exist to drive continuous improvement and success, they can also be seen as hollow expenditures that do not increase profitability.

Repeating nonconformances are a serious matter. This is when you get a nonconformance that is the same as a previous nonconformance issued by the certification body auditor in two consecutive audits. They cause major nonconformances, repeat visits, extra surveillance from your ISO auditor, and worse still it means you still have a problem.

ISO 9000 has a fairly bad reputation. There are many reasons why this occurred but one of the most important is that in many instances ISO has been implemented poorly and has been generally despised for being nonsensical, overly bureaucratic and unsupportive of business goals.

Internal audits often provide the biggest problem for ISO-certified organizations. Fundamentally nobody objects to internal audits, the goal is to optimize them but that can mean different things.

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