FAQs
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Why do companies need ISO certification?
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| a. Standardise process control to improve operational efficiency
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| ISO encourages companies to adopt practices that streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies. This can lead to fewer errors, better results, and a more reliable product or service offering.
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| b. Increase market competitiveness and enhance reputation
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| For many customers, knowing that a company adheres to ISO standards adds confidence in the company’s ability to deliver quality products or services. ISO certification is globally recognised and having it can significantly improve a company’s reputation in the market. Some government contracts and large public tenders also require ISO certification as part of the selection criteria.
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| c. Fulfilment of customer, regulatory and applicable requirements
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| ISO standards can also help businesses to adhere to local, regional, and international regulations and thus avoid fines and penalties.
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What is the process to get ISO certified?
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| There are 3 main processes to get ISO certification.
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| a. ISO Consultancy
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| ISO consultant will assist in developing documentation and provide guidance on ISO implementation until the company has successfully achieved ISO certification.
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| b. ISO Awareness Training
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| ISO awareness training is considered mandatory to ensure that all the key personnel in the organization understand the principles of ISO standard, what is requires and their role in ensuring compliance.
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| c. ISO Certification
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| ISO certification body will assess and certify companies for compliance with ISO standards.
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Why should a company hire ISO consultants to get ISO certification?
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| ISO consultants have expertise and knowledge in ISO standards, will streamline the certification process and ensure efficient implementation of ISO standards. This will save significant time and resources for the company. Furthermore, with commitment given by clients, ISO consultant will assure that there is no ISO certification failure. ISO certification failure may result in re-audit requirement, which will incur re-audit fees.
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What are the stages underlying ISO consultation?
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| a. Gap Analysis:
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| Assess company’s current processes to identify the gaps that exist in meeting ISO standard requirements.
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| b. Document Preparation:
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| Develop ISO documentation to comply with ISO standards.
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| c. Document Handover & Briefing:
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| Handover the document to appropriate person/team and communicate on responsibilities for implementing, monitoring and maintaining ISO system.
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| d. Overview on Implementation:
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| To review the implementation of ISO in terms of documentation and operation and provide guidance for improvement.
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| e. Internal Audit:
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| Conduct internal audit to identify gaps/issues for correction to ensure successful ISO certification.
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| f. Sit in for Certification Audit (Optional – an additional fee will be incurred):
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| Offer assistance in providing the required documents, explanations, or clarifications to auditors during the audit.
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How long does company take to get ISO certified?
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| The timeline from ISO consultancy until completion of the audit may take around 3-6 months. The timeline depends on the size of the organization, the complexity of its processes, and how prepared the company is.
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What is the cost of consultancy?
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| Consultancy cost varies depending on the size of the organization, number of employees, ISO scope of certification, training requirements, etc. For further details, kindly submit your inquiry to us.
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How to choose right certification body
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| Certification bodies are accredited by recognised accreditation bodies (DSM, SAC, UKAS, etc.) to ensure that they meet specific requirements for issuing ISO certifications. We will base on customer requirements, in terms of accreditation, scope of certification, audit fees, etc., and link up to relevant certification bodies.
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How can a company maintain ISO certification after it's granted?
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| ISO certificate is valid for 3 years, but ISO certification is an on-going process. Company will need to go through regular surveillance audits to maintain the certification. Failure to comply can lead to the revocation of the certification. Internal audit is mandatory before yearly certification audit. ISO consultant will assist to conduct internal audit to identify areas of improvement and correct the issues before certification audit. Alternatively, internal audit can be conducted by qualified internal audit team.
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Is one-man show company able to get ISO certified?
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| Yes, it is possible, but it is tailored to small businesses such as trading, wholesale, administrative support-related business, etc. In a one-man operation, it could be one person managing customer enquiries, handling invoices and delivering product/service.
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Can one ISO management system be integrated with other ISO management system?
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| Yes, ISO integration reduces the duplicate efforts in maintaining the ISO management system. This reduces administrative overhead and leads to better communication and alignment across all functional units.
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