ISO Certification Definition
An ISO certificate is a document stating that a particular product, service or process complies with international standards, as defined by International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Networking 161 countries worldwide, ISO is the largest developer and publisher of international standards; the organization has one member per country, and the system is coordinated in Geneva's Central Secretariat. Although ISO by itself is a non-governmental organization, its member institutes may be either public or private organizations, an arrangement which enables ISO to develop standards that benefit all segments of society.
Other People Are Reading
-
Origins of ISO
-
When translated, the name "International Organization for Standardization" has different acronyms in different languages, for example IOS in English or OIN in French (Organisation Internationale de Normalisation). The founders decided to name the organization "ISO," derived from the Greek term for equality, "isos." Today ISO refers to a single, identifiable organizational across the globe, no matter the region or language.
Formation
-
ISO was formed by delegates from 25 countries in a meeting held in London in 1946. The group founded the organization to "facilitate the international coordination and unification of industrial standards." Soon after, the new organization started operations in Switzerland, from February 1947. In many of the countries of its operations, ISO is an all-encompassing authority on standards across a range of industries and products. Since 1947, the body has developed and published more than 16,500 international standards, including for industries such as agriculture, construction, IT (information technology), health care and mechanical engineering.
-
Goals of Standards & Attaining Certification
-
When a business entity complies with predefined standards set for its industry, it is eligible for ISO certification. Products, processes and systems, machinery and devices are required to meet standards to ensure quality, minimize environmental effects, and enhance reliability, safety, efficiency and compatibility. The developed standards for an industry strives to ensure that all active businesses manufacture their goods or services with these desirable characteristics. When certified by ISO, it means that a business's operations re approved by the world's largest and most trusted standards body, and gives confidence to the business's customers and partners.
ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 Certifications
-
Although most ISO standards are industry-specific, the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are generic management system standards which may be applicable to any organization, regardless of size, its business operations, geographical dispersion or industry. When a business enterprise, public administration body or government department is ISO 9001 certified, it means the entity has successfully implemented a set of requirements in order to establish a quality management system within the organization. Similarly, an ISO 14001 certification is awarded to organizations that meet requirements to establish an approved environmental management system.
Benefits of Standards
-
According to ISO, the role of standards is especially important in modern commerce where goods originating in one region may travel thousands of miles for consumption. Apart from making products and services safer, cleaner and more efficient, ISO standards also foster trade relations between regions, and provide expert assistance to regional governments, in terms of a technological base for health and environmental legislation. Other benefits a country can reap from partnering with ISO include shared advances in technology and management practices, and safeguarding consumers and users of products and services.
-
References
- Photo Credit drapeau image by Stéphane BOURHIS from Fotolia.com
