Achieving ISO 9001 certification is a strategic decision for management and employees within a company. The purpose of which is to define processes and procedures to ensure quality in all areas of a business.

I had heard about ISO 9001 but my knowledge was pretty patchy.

Last year I received the request from the directors to proceed with the certification process for ISO 9001:2008. So, I began searching on the Internet for information on ISO 9001. I found a lot of articles; information and discussions, but honestly they all seemed pretty ambiguous.

An old Chinese proverb says: “If you want to learn to swim, jump into the water and swim”. So it was clear we just had to jump straight in. This began the ISO “institutionalization” of Amdaris.

I want to bring to your attention some advice if you are facilitating this otherwise difficult and pedantic process.

Employees: they are the most valuable resource in every company, and they will follow the criteria established in the Quality Manual. Organize at least 2-3 informational training sessions and let them know about any progress.

Documentation: Read carefully and follow each requirement of the standard, and most importantly, do not complicate things! If you have the possibility to take a course on Introduction to ISO 9001, do this! Â That will help you a lot on preparing all papers. However, you will need to have in-house internal auditors and a QAM (Quality Assurance Manager), which will need to pass these courses.
“At the enterprise there must be at least 3 people who can do the same Job”, as an old Japan proverb says, that’s why we decided to have three Internal Auditors, and we have six eyes that monitors the quality standard in our company.

Quality Manual: The most important document within the business and required for the standard. You can make reference to a potentially infinite number of procedures, activities and flows.

Last but not least, you have to decide a company or consultant that offers certification services. It must be accredited by a credible international body known in the business area, or in your region.

After almost a year of hard work, we passed the external audit. Now, in our meeting room everyone can see and be proud of the ISO 9001:2008 certificate and all the new ways of working which help us to offer the highest quality of service.

But, we cannot relax! Now begins the most difficult part, to maintain and improve the Quality Manual and all the procedures.

I want to thank Andy, Ion, Sergiu for your cooperation and all the Amdaris MD staff. You did a great job.