With the COP 29 conference taking place this month in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, politicians and business leaders will express all sorts of hopes for new deals and action to help reduce greenhouse emissions and make the world more sustainable. The event’s slogan is “Investing in a liveable planet for all”.

However, cynics will say we have heard it all before. When COP 26 took place in Glasgow in 2021, some of the loudest voices were from campaigners outside the building like Greta Thunberg, who had made clear her views at a youth climate conference in Milan earlier that year when she famously described the rhetoric of world leaders as “blah blah blah”.

In between the scepticism of Greta and the optimism of those who see progress in various carbon-cutting agreements like reduced coal use, there is the practical reality that governments alone cannot do it all. A great many steps can be taken by businesses making authentic efforts to be greener.

However, companies can face cynicism and doubt too, with accusations of ‘greenwashing’ never far away. When this can be proven, such as a firm making claims that can be demonstrated to be false, this can lead to reputational damage.

This is where companies who not only comply with the regulations but also have a commitment to improvements through a robust environmental management system (EMS) can benefit from gaining certification to show they have done this. That is what ISO 14001 certification provides.

A central feature of ISO 14001 is that it doesn’t just acknowledge the efforts a company has made, but provides a framework for getting to the point where it has effective EMS in place, by showing the way to design the EMS and therefore meet its targets of cutting emissions and taking other steps to improve environmental performance.

These steps can include working with stakeholders on common goals, preserving and improving habitats to uphold biodiversity, more efficient use of resources, avoiding pollution and cutting energy waste. Many of these could come with cost benefits for your firm, such as lower energy bills.

Indeed, it can help steer your company in a direction where it can build partnerships and trading agreements with other companies committed to green principles, who will know from your certification that they can trust you and work with you. This can then be the catalyst for your company to enjoy sustainable growth.

Further benefits can come from highlighting the certification to ensure customers have confidence in you and your public reputation can grow as a result.

Over in Baku, politicians and diplomats will negotiate, critics will ask why the event is being held in an oil-producing state and those whose interests are still tied to fossil fuels will lobby as hard as the green campaigners.

What will not happen, of course, is any government getting its own equivalent ISO 14001. Instead, each will make a presentation on their work to meet the Paris 2015 climate targets, and the event will attempt to update this.

The result may provide more fudge than a sweet factory, which is why cynics will have much to question. But while governments may take a lot of flak, companies can protect themselves against that and also take tangible action to raise their environmental game through ISO 14001 certification.

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Article

Why ISO 22301 Shows You Will Always Be Open For Business

28/10/2024

The idea of business continuity is something that means different things to different people. There was a time when it would mostly relate to the physical premises of a company, where work could be disrupted by a major calamity, such as a fire, flood, major power outage, or terrorist attack. However, in a more interconnected world, it now extends to the online realm.

Many an organisation can face genuine threats from hackers and other cybercriminals, who may use denial-of-service attacks or malware to prevent a firm’s operations from functioning. But sometimes it can come from an internal problem, such as a software glitch.

The latter issue occurred in July this year when software firm Crowdstrike attempted a new software upload on Microsoft systems and a software bug led to massive IT outages across the globe, impacting everything from airports to banks and healthcare systems.

Such issues highlight the need for organisations to have back-up systems in place to achieve business continuity even in the face of calamity.

Whether that is about having alternative premises to work in, the ability to switch to remote working (something most firms developed the capacity to do during the pandemic lockdowns if they hadn’t already), or back-up IT systems, the best-prepared firms will be able to maintain their work, providing a better service and increasing client confidence as a result.

An ISO 22301 is a certification that shows you have met the international standard for business continuity management systems.

The purpose of attaining it is to demonstrate that you have measures in place that offer a reliable contingency when disaster strikes. In addition, it shows that you have taken clear steps to make such problems less likely to occur in the first place.

For example, when it comes to your IT systems, it could involve having strong cyber security systems and practices that make it less likely you will fall victim to cybercrime and suffer a loss of system functions as a result, as well as having measures to get your system back up and running swiftly if problems do occur.

The benefits of this are not just about being resilient in a crisis. It also means you will benefit from having a clear systemic approach to dealing with a challenging situation, so that when problems arise, you and your staff will know exactly what to do, while having better processes for managing risk.

When you have all this in place, it will increase confidence among everyone who matters, from your colleagues who can get on with their work to company shareholders who will be pleased to see earnings are not badly impacted by disruption, not to mention your clients to whom you can continue to provide a service when others might not have done.

This means the benefits of attaining an ISO 22301 are twofold. Firstly, the very act of qualifying for one means you will have established strong means of maintaining business continuity, which will benefit your business when it needs to weather the storm (sometimes literally). Secondly, having it increases the confidence others have in you.

This is why it makes sense to start working towards ISO 22301 certification today.

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Article

The Difference Between ISO Certification And Accreditation

03/10/2024

Most firms will want to show their clients and customers that they are recognised as being competent and indeed excellent at what they do. Look at any company website and you will see them displaying their awards, accreditation kitemarks and memberships of trade bodies like an old soldier displays his medals.

There are some trades where certification is essential, such as Gas Safe Register membership for firms and their employees that are involved in work on gas appliances, which is required by law.

However, ISO certification is more about demonstrating standards and control than mandatory attainment of a standard to be allowed to practise.

Nonetheless, ISO certification is very much worth having, because it does provide an internationally recognised measurement of competence and standards. However, it is useful to understand the difference between certification and accreditation.

The simplest point to understand is that when it comes to ISO standards, accreditation is not something the companies being certificated attain. Rather, it applies to the bodies and organisations that can issue the certificates, which in this case includes ourselves at ISO-Cert Online.

While this accreditation is not itself a mandatory thing for certificate-issuing bodies, many organisations, such as government departments and other companies, will require that the certificate has come from an accredited body. That is the main reason why we are accredited, as that brings more benefits for you in terms of recognition.

Accreditation is also a matter of process, of course. Accreditation for individuals, for instance, comes from undertaking and passing courses to be able to practise, be they doctors, lawyers, or gas engineers. In the case of ISO certification, this is awarded based on a company demonstrating they are compliant with the requirements of their industry.

Consequently, the path to becoming certificated is a different one to accreditation. It is not about training and passing exams, a process by which you would be learning and gaining experience as you work your way up towards a particular standard. Rather, it is about being rigorously assessed to establish if your current practices meet the required standard.

This assessment, therefore, is about where you are at, not a standard you are working towards.

Of course, there is a possible scenario in which the audit shows that you have fallen short of the ISO standard you need to demonstrate to achieve certification. In that event, we would of course let you know why, and you can seek to address these issues before being assessed again.

That may be analogous to retaking an exam, except that in this case you know what the answers are. It is about whether you can achieve and demonstrate the required standard.

Of course, the assessment will be a thorough one, but that is something you should welcome. Because ISO certificates are not simply given out to anyone who wants one, your clients and customers can be assured that they are dealing with a company that has demonstrated standards that they can trust. Add in our accreditation and that trust will be all the greater.

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Article

What Is The Main Purpose Of An ISO Standardisation Method?

16/09/2024

When many businesses think about ISO, they are typically looking for an accredited body to provide them with ISO 9001 certification.

They want to be certified either as a condition for a particular client, as part of a reorganisation or simply to add value to the business by celebrating a system that they have either already implemented or are in the process of implementing.

There are a lot of motivations to receive certification, but it can sometimes be easy to miss what that standardisation represents and ultimately why it matters within a business and to other businesses.

An answer to both of these questions comes, somewhat unusually, from another critical part of many businesses: a cup of tea.

How Can You Standardise Tea?

There is perhaps no singular beverage that has so many variations and preferences as tea, as whilst the basic process of steeping tea leaves in water is universal, every other element from the blend to the use of teabags and the addition of milk and sugar is a matter of fierce and intense debate.

However, ISO 3103:2019 (formerly BS 6008:1980) describes a standard method of brewing and serving tea that will produce consistent results every time.

It describes two testing pots (310 ml or 150 ml) with loosely fitting lids as well as two testing bowls (380 ml and 200 ml). Both the pots and bowls are made of white porcelain (or white glazed earthenware), with a partly serrated edge.

For every 100 ml of water that will be added to the pot, 2g of tea is also placed within the pot, before that measured amount of freshly boiled water (described as similar to nearby drinking water) is added.

The tea is then brewed for six minutes before being poured into the bowl, with 5ml (or 2.5ml for a smaller bowl) milk added beforehand (although alternative suggestions are made for adding milk after).

Why Standardise Tea?

The resulting standard won an Ig Nobel Prize and serves as a perfect example of how standards can often be misinterpreted as a prescriptive method towards a platonic ideal for the object, method or system being standardised.

However, this somewhat misses the point, as ISO 3103:2019 is not intended to make the best cup of tea or a “perfect” cup of tea by the standards of a tea drinker, but is instead intended to create a standard cup of tea that is relatively easily reproducible.

The reason for this is the same reason why no specific type or blend of tea is described in the standard. It is designed for tea tasting and for making sensory comparisons.

Many criticisms of the process, such as no prewarming of the pot, a brewing time that is relatively lengthy compared to the typical three-minute brewing times used when brewing a tea bag, and pouring milk in before tea largely misses the point.

These are not cups that are made to be enjoyed, but ones that create a benchmark for meaningful analysis and studies, such as taste testing or quality control.

On that same token, ISO certification means adopting a universal set of standards and protocols so that other businesses and customers understand how an order is managed by your company.

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Article

When Might A Business Need Quality Management Certification?

29/08/2024

Companies of all shapes, sizes and scales have expressed an interest in receiving ISO certification, even though it is not a strict business need per se to do so.

There are a lot of benefits to organising your business and running under ISO 9001:2015 quality management standards and practices, but whilst being certified by an accredited company brings with it a wide range of benefits, there is no regulatory or legal requirement to do so.

However, there might be some occasions where an ISO 9001 certificate becomes an effective necessity due to business requirements, rather than a system that allows a company to opt-in to more long-term benefits.

A Prerequisite To Close A Deal

One of the main reasons why companies are interested in ISO 9001, particularly if they want to get certified quickly, is because they need it to meet the prerequisite of a company or government tender.

Many larger businesses who work with a network of smaller suppliers have prerequisites before they allow a business to work with them, and whilst this will naturally vary by market sector and particular need, one of the most common requirements is ISO 9001 certification.

Many government agencies have replaced bespoke standards with one based on ISO 9001 because it allows for a more streamlined approach to tenders and enables these companies to focus on the more specific aspects of a tender application.

Getting certified, therefore, becomes a requirement for many businesses that work closely with government agencies.

This may be the catalyst for getting certified, but it is also an opportunity to make sustained, effective and long-term changes to the business that provides far more than an immediate gain.

Open For International Business

When working with international clients, there is a need for a universal language mutually understood by both parties, which in many cases involves the use of mutually understood and referenced standards.

One of the biggest benefits of ISO standards in general, but particularly ISO 9001, is that they are universal; to date, 167 countries have national ISO members, which means that the standard is understood and recognised practically anywhere you might do business.

This makes an ISO 9001 certificate an effective requirement when doing business overseas, as it means that a company knows that your business is focused on quality management in a way that is universally understood and can therefore focus on what your company brings to the table.

Get The Best Employees

Typically, when businesses talk about ISO 9001 as a requirement, they are generally referring to the needs of customers. However, it can also be an important tool for improving recruitment, with the right candidates knowing how the quality management standard can help them personally and professionally.

One of the key requirements of ISO 9001 concerns employee management and job expectations.

Having a clear set of quality objectives, procedures, instructions and process metrics allows for a culture of constant feedback and improvement, with an emphasis on constantly learning and developing.

Many employees who would be perfect for your corporate culture will see the standard as one that prioritises them and how they can contribute to the goals of the organisation.

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Article

What Was the First ISO Standard?

12/08/2024

When most businesses think of ISO certification, they are generally thinking of just a handful of circa 25,000 standards that are covered by the International Organisation for Standardisation, (or ISO), by far the most common of which is ISO 9001.

The primary reason for this is that ISO 9001 (which was itself developed from the original British Standard; BS 5750) is a quality management standard that is recognised around the world, and is both a tool to help continually improve performance, and serve as a signpost to potential customers that the aim of the business is to do it right first time (i.e. efficiency is built-in).

However, there are a lot more standards besides this and to understand the priorities of ISO 9001 and how it has become the global arbiter for standardisation itself, it is worth exploring the very first standard recognised and certified by ISO.

Global Standardisation

The first challenge for the International Organisation for Standardisation is standardising itself for all countries.

In every country, the short form of the organisation’s name is ISO, even though none of the organisation’s three official languages have an acronym that fits.

In English, it is IOS as seen above, in French, it is OIN (Organisation International de Normalisation) and in Russian, it is MOS (Mezhdunarodnaya Organizatsiya po Standartizatsii).

Officially, the organisation explains the name as a derivation of the word “isos” which in Greek means “equal”, although there are no contemporary accounts of this being the inspiration during the organisation’s founding meetings in October 1946.

Regardless, ISO was the collective name chosen and has remained the same ever since.

The first published standard would arise five years later.

The First ISO Standard

The very first standard established was ISO 1, although due to the fact that ISO described their standards as “Recommendations” at the time, it was issued first as ISO/R 1.

Compared to ISO 9001:2015, which includes numerous pages and many different requirements, ISO 1 consists of a single measurement: 20 degrees Celsius.

This temperature, which equals 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 293.15 Kelvin, is used as a standard reference temperature when making dimensional measurements.

Despite being so simple, this is an important point when it comes to standardisation of the precise dimensions of products, parts and components, because of the effects of thermal expansion.

Most materials change size and shape depending on their heat and the ambient temperature around them, so comparing the measurements of different components that are supposedly compatible but are made in different environments means that they may not be entirely compatible.

This concept was already known, and before 1951 three temperature points (zero degrees Celsius/32 degrees Fahrenheit, 16.6667 degrees Celsius/62 degrees Fahrenheit and 25 degrees Celsius/77 degrees Fahrenheit) were all used, but none of them were ideal standards that were easy or comfortable to work in.

By contrast, ISO 1 was an easy round number, it was close to room temperature in many countries, it was a whole number in both Celsius and Fahrenheit and it was easy to attain or work in, allowing for more workshops to use it.

Whilst a relatively simple ISO standard now, ISO 1 highlights the principles at the core of the standardisation process and helps foster a greater understanding of why ISO 9001 is the way it is.

Help and More Information

For more information on this and to find out how ISO-Cert Online can help you achieve your business standardisation goals, please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net

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Article

The Core Quality Management Principles Of ISO Certification

31/07/2024

When businesses are interested in ISO certification, the fastest way to achieve this is through a dedicated online service that will help them meet the necessary quality management standards.

When businesses are looking for certification, they are typically thinking about the ISO 9000 family, which is a set of five quality management systems (QMS) that ensure that businesses are meeting their regulatory responsibilities, whilst also ensuring they are keeping up with the demands of customers and stakeholders alike.

Of the five ISO 9000 QMS standards, the one that most companies are looking for is ISO 9001:2015, often known simply as “ISO 9001”, “ISO 9000” or even simply “ISO”.

The standard itself is based around a 30-page set of requirements but its fundamental focus is based on seven quality management principles (QMP) which form or at least should form a foundation for how a business is managed and operated.

Here are the seven and why they matter.

Customer Focus

The first QMP standard is perhaps the most obvious one. As the late entrepreneur and businessman Jack Tramiel put it, businesses are there to serve the customer.

Without customers, businesses simply cannot exist, and with that in mind, companies focused on ISO 9001 should be mindful not only of customer needs right now but the future of their needs in the future.

The priority should be to meet the standards of the customer and serve them, ensuring that the customer’s expectations are understood so they can be delivered upon effectively and efficiently.

Leadership

One of the most critical and misunderstood aspects of many businesses is structure, hierarchy and leadership, as well as the role of leaders in organisations of varying scales.

Leaders need to be the ones to form and shape a united direction and purpose of any organisation and be able to lead a wide range of disparate teams in the same direction to achieve the overarching mission of the company.

Engagement Of People

Companies are ultimately collectives of diverse, skilled individuals, and ultimately no company succeeds without people who are able to do the job they are employed to, are empowered and recognised for their abilities, and buy into the overall goals of the organisation.

Without people on board, you do not have a company.

Process Approach

Business activities are typically a series of interrelated processes that work together to create an overall system, and once a business fully understands this, it can manage and continually improve these processes to achieve consistent output results.

Improvement

Perfection is an overall goal, but not one that is achievable. There is always room for improvement, and an eternal goal for any organisation is to keep getting better, streamline processes and get the greatest return out of every part of the business.

Evidence-Based Decision Making

Data dominates the business world, and whilst one should avoid discounting anything that cannot be quantified, decisions should be made based on effective, objective analysis to as much pertinent information as possible.

Relationship Management

No business exists in a vacuum. Virtually every company has contractors, suppliers, service providers and other stakeholders that are part of symbiotic, interdependent business relationships. It is important to see the value in these relationships and foster them to ensure everyone thrives.

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Article

Why ISO 14000 Environmental Management Systems Are So Important

22/07/2024

Environmental degradation is a hot topic for one and all these days, businesses and consumers alike, and we all have our part to play in living and working more sustainably in order to reduce pressure on the natural world, adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change, and protect human health, biodiversity and ecosystems around the world.

Businesses, in particular, are especially well positioned to make significant inroads in this regard – and the first step towards driving change is to gain a deeper understanding of your company’s carbon footprint.

Once you know how many greenhouse gas emissions are produced by your business activities, you can start implementing the most appropriate measures to help drive this down.

But, of course, this is often easier said than done and it can be difficult to know where to begin – which is why it can be useful to look into how ISO 14000 environmental management systems (EMS) could be turned to your advantage.

What is ISO 14000?

The ISO 14000 family provides organisations of all shapes and sizes the tools and approaches they need to manage their various environmental responsibilities.

ISO 14001 is the only standard in this family that businesses can be certified to, mapping out a framework that you can follow in order to establish an effective EMS.

This will provide you with a set of policies and procedures that enable you to reduce your environmental impact, while ensuring you remain compliant with environmental requirements, use resources as efficiently as possible, minimise pollution and reduce waste continuously over time.

There are many benefits to implementing an EMS for business, everything from protecting the planet and meeting all the necessary environmental and legal requirements to giving consumers peace of mind that you take environmental stewardship seriously.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that people are ever more keen to spend their money with those companies that do put sustainability at the heart of their operations, so you could drive revenue your way and beat out the competition by becoming ISO certified.

And, of course, let’s not forget about the fact that being more sustainable as a business and making your practices more efficient means that you’ll be wasting fewer resources… which means that you’ll optimise your operations and reduce costs, saving you both time and money.

Note, however, that there are various different types of EMS and different approaches you can adopt, so it’s important that you take the time to find the most appropriate one for you and your organisation.

This can be something of a minefield, which is why so many companies opt to bring in an ISO certification firm to ensure that the right decisions are made.

If you’d like to find out more about the importance of environmental management and how to best go about bringing your business up to speed, get in touch with the ISO-Cert Online team today.

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Article

How ISO 9001 helps to minimise process variation

29/04/2024

Process variation refers to the natural differences or deviations that occur within a process. In any process, there are numerous factors that can influence the outcome of the final product/service, including variations in raw materials, equipment, environmental conditions, and human factors. These variations can result in slight differences in the characteristics of the products/services that are being delivered.

Process variation can be classified into two main types:

Random Variation: This type of variation is caused by random and unpredictable factors that are inherent in the process. Random variation cannot be eliminated entirely but can be controlled through statistical process control (SPC) methods.
Systematic Variation: Systematic variation is caused by identifiable and predictable factors within the process. These factors may include equipment calibration errors, changes in raw material properties, poor training, or fluctuations in environmental conditions. Unlike random variation, systematic variation can often be identified and corrected to improve the consistency and quality of the final product/service.

Managing process variation is essential for maintaining product/service quality and consistency. Techniques such as statistical process control (SPC), Six Sigma, and process optimisation are commonly used to monitor and reduce process variation, ensuring that products/services meet specifications and customer expectations.

How can ISO 9001 help?

ISO 9001 is a quality management standard that provides a framework for organisations to establish, implement, maintain, and continuously improve their quality management systems (QMS). While ISO 9001 itself does not directly address process variation, implementing its principles and requirements can help minimise process variation indirectly in several ways:

Standardised Processes: ISO 9001 emphasises the need for organisations to define their processes and procedures. By standardising processes, organisations can reduce variation by ensuring that everyone follows the same steps and methods for performing tasks. This consistency helps minimise the likelihood of errors and deviations within the process.
Risk-Based Thinking: ISO 9001 promotes the concept of risk-based thinking, which involves identifying potential risks to quality and implementing controls to mitigate them. By systematically identifying and addressing risks that could lead to process variation, organisations can proactively minimise its impact on product/service quality.
Continuous Improvement: One of the core principles of ISO 9001 is continuous improvement. Organisations are encouraged to regularly monitor their processes, collect data, analyse performance, and implement corrective actions as necessary. Through this process of continual improvement, organisations can identify and address sources of variation, leading to more consistent and predictable outcomes.
Supplier Management: ISO 9001 requires organisations to evaluate and control their suppliers to ensure that purchased products/services meet quality requirements. By selecting reliable and competent suppliers and establishing clear quality criteria, organisations can reduce the risk of variability in the products/services that they supply, which can contribute to process variation.
Training and Competence: ISO 9001 emphasises the importance of training and competence for personnel involved in the quality management system. Well-trained employees are better equipped to perform their tasks consistently and accurately, reducing the likelihood of errors and variations in processes.
Measurement and Monitoring: ISO 9001 requires organisations to establish performance indicators and monitor key process parameters. By measuring process performance and analysing data, organisations can identify trends, deviations, and opportunities for improvement, allowing them to take corrective action to minimise process variation.

Overall, while ISO 9001 does not specifically address process variation, its focus on standardisation, risk management, continuous improvement, supplier control, employee competence, and performance measurement can help organisations effectively minimise process variation and improve overall product/service quality.

Do you need help with achieving ISO 9001?

Talk to us today. Our consultants can guide you through the process, providing advice and templates to ensure that you’re on the right track. We will help you to avoid non-conformities with ISO 9001 and set you up for success.

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

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Article

Non-conformities with ISO 9001

19/09/2023

Of all the ISO standards available, you’re most likely to have heard of ISO 9001. It’s the standard relating to quality management systems (QMS) and is by far the most popular. In fact, our expert consultants support businesses to achieve ISO certification every day of the week. And, in this blog, we are sharing some of the persistent non-conformities with ISO 9001 (the issues which prevent businesses from meeting the requirements set forth in the standard) as a guide to follow when preparing for a quality audit.

Typically, non-conformities with ISO 9001 are identified through internal and external audits, routine inspections, or other forms of assessment. They appear in your processes, your products, and services, and even in the actions of your employees. Furthermore, they are categorised as either a minor-conformance or a major non-conformance.

A minor non-conformance would describe a situation which does not comply with ISO 9001 requirements. However, it may be a one-off occurrence and/or it’s doubtful that it would have a serious bearing on either your QMS or your day-to-day operations.
A major non-conformance reflects either a repeated minor non-conformance or a single situation which falls short of the standard’s requirements. In this case, your QMS would be affected, and you could even face operational downtime because of the incident.

When non-conformities are detected, it’s vital for organisations to take corrective actions to address the root causes and prevent their recurrence. This process is a fundamental aspect of ISO 9001. Resulting in continually improving the effectiveness of the quality management system.

Most common non-conformities with ISO 9001

Depending on the size, operations and industry of your business, the nature and severity of non-conformities can vary widely among organisations. Below are the most common examples of non-conformance, with guidance on how to manage them before they cause you serious problems:

Failure to understand the context of the organisation:
ISO 9001 requires that the organisation identifies and understands the needs and expectations of its interested parties. While many businesses will know (or think they know!) this information through experience, not many will take the time to analyse the data, so that no one is missed out in terms of who needs to be communicated with, on what topics and when.
Failing to understand the customer’s requirements:
A proper understanding of the what the customer wants (and expects) is critical to any business. Failing to do this will lead to inefficiency and wasted time (and money). It also has a direct impact on an organisation’s credibility.
Inadequate documentation and record management:
An essential element of any audit is being able to provide the relevant evidence. So, stay on top of maintaining and updating documented procedures, policies, and records as required by ISO 9001. Also, make sure that you store these safetly so that they are available for review. Incomplete or inaccessible records or documentation just won’t cut the mustard.
Lack of process control:
Without the correct monitoring and measuring, you will experience inconsistencies, errors, or deviations from established procedures. Not only will this undermine your QMS, but you may fail to meet your clients’ requirements. Worse still, you risk a product recall or operational downtime as you reset your production processes – all impacting on your productivity and efficiency.
Lack of control over the working environment:
In order to carry out work effectively and efficiently, employers must give employees a workplace that is fit for purpose, as well as the correct equipment to do the job (which is safe to use), and appropriate training. A poorly maintained workplace and/or equipment will not only lead to poor quality but may also cause harm to the environment or human health.
Insufficient or poor training:
How can your employees perform their role effectively if they haven’t been adequately trained or are not qualified? By introducing a training programme and maintaining training records, you will be able to equip your staff to conduct their work and support the business’ customer satisfaction objectives.
Non-compliance with customer requirements:
Meeting customer needs is at the heart of ISO 9001. It’s important to meet product specifications, such as measurements or delivery schedules in line with customer requirements. Failure to do this, could result in an unhappy customer. Additionally, you may find that your reputation takes a hit as word spreads about the poor quality of your product or service.
Inadequate corrective and preventive action:
Continuous improvement is the cornerstone of ISO 9001. So, when issues crop up – and they will! – don’t bury your head in the sand. Make an action plan to address and resolve them in a systematic and timely manner. Always document any corrective actions as a record that you have taken steps. This evidence will be extremely valuable in an audit.
Poor supplier management:
Although your business may be performing well, have you stopped to think about the impact on your business if one of your key suppliers let you down or even went out of business? The repercussions of supply chain problems can reach your customers very quickly. But by close control and monitoring of your suppliers, you can become more resilient to these risks. Start by agreeing your business’ requirements, creating, and maintaining a supplier database, assessing supplier performance, and producing a list of measures to counter any supply chain risks or interruptions. This will help you to safeguard the quality of your product or service.
Lack of customer feedback: One of the most valuable exercises a business can conduct is gathering customer feedback. It serves to gauge sentiment about different areas of your business. It also provides insights which can direct you to publicise the things you’re doing well. And, whilst receiving negative feedback is uncomfortable, it’s the most effective way to understand how you should improve your products or services.
Inadequate risk and opportunity management:
Another essential part of any QMS is a robust programme of risk management. Without this, you are likely to fail to identify and mitigate risks that could affect the quality of products or services. Likewise, the standard also requires that the organisation identifies and plans for possible opportunities (as well as risks).
Non-compliance with legal and regulatory requirements:
A fundamental consideration for any business is compliance with the applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards that affect its operations. Make sure that you are compliant to avoid fines and penalties. And document that you adhere to requirements, providing relevant supporting evidence.
Ineffective internal audits:
No auditor worth their salt goes out of their way to find faults! On the other hand, a string of audits which don’t identify either minor or major non-conformities could also be seen to have no value. By developing a culture of continuous improvement, you will embrace rather than fear opportunities to develop or enhance the status quo.
Internal and external communication problems:
As they say, communication is key. And inadequate communication (internal or external) can lead to misunderstandings, errors, and lapses in quality. Examples of strategies which can support effective communication include regular 1 to 1s with staff, weekly team meetings, summarising action points and responsibilities from meetings, taking time to listen, being open to feedback, giving positive feedback, using the right technology for your business and teambuilding or project work to draw different departments together. Effective communication has many benefits both for your employees and the quality of your product or service.
Lack of leadership engagement:
ISO 9001 requires that top management show their commitment to, and support for, a QMS. Businesses where there is little involvement – or worse, awareness – from top management are unlikely to have embedded a culture of quality. This is likely to raise questions about whether employees have appropriate guidelines to follow, are regularly encouraged to take quality-focused actions, talk about quality within their roles, and see strong examples of prioritising quality.

Looking at this list of non-conformities with ISO 9001 highlights how valuable this standard can be for your business. The benefits of implementing a quality management system don’t stop at just tightening up your processes; they reach across all areas of your business and can significantly improve your operations, your product or service, as well as the experience you give to your customers.

Do you need help with achieving ISO 9001?

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

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Article

5 ways ISO 9001 can help you win more tenders

04/08/2023

How can ISO 9001 certification help you to win more tenders? Read our latest blog which highlights how some of the benefits of being ISO certified can give you a real advantage against your competitors when bidding for new business.…

by admin

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How to overcome obstacles in your ISO 45001 implementation

02/08/2023

When implementing a new management system, you may face challenges and resistance from within your business. In this article, we identify some of the likely obstacles in ISO 45001 implementation and offer solutions to overcome them.…

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Article

Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection: start your ISO certification journey now

07/07/2023

With continuous improvement at their heart, ISO standards offer the promise of advancement across all areas of a businesses’ functions and operations. In this article, we’re examining how the fear of not being perfect can dissuade businesses from starting their ISO certification journey. And how, ironically, this can lead to missed opportunities, greater risks, or no improvement at all!

For many businesses, the decision to pursue ISO certification is a significant and strategic milestone. Misperceptions of a hefty financial investment, significant operational downtime and stressful preparations for face-to-face audits are all factors in the decision. Understandably, businesses don’t want to start their ISO journey unless they’re confident of successfully achieving their goal of ISO certification. Firstly, by choosing ISO-Cert Online Ltd, we can reassure you that you won’t experience any of these scare factors! But also, waiting for the perfect moment can mean that time is lost in realising the benefits of ISO standards. In fact, the sensible approach is to dive in and get started. Then, the path to operational excellence, through continuous improvement, can begin today.

Embrace a culture of continuous improvement with ISO standards:

Whatever your industry or sector, there are ISO standards to improve the quality, efficiency, productivity, safety, and bottom line of your business. Each standard provides a framework which businesses can follow to achieve continuous improvement. By starting your ISO certification journey now, you can embrace a culture that encourages ongoing development and growth. Instead of attempting to achieve perfection, ISO standards helpfully guide your organisation towards incremental improvements. They support you to consistently meet and exceed your customers’ expectations. This creates a gentler approach to change management, enabling you to bring colleagues on the path to success with you.

Approach risk management proactively with ISO standards:

One of the main objectives of ISO standards is to focus on enhancing performance by paying close attention to risk management. If you choose to wait for perfection before pursuing ISO certification, your business may find itself vulnerable to unforeseen risks and disruptions. But, by implementing ISO standards, you are on the front foot with identifying risks and mitigating them and their impacts. This makes the continuity of your operations more robust and safeguards your business against unexpected setbacks. So, with ISO certification you’ll find it more straightforward to build the resilience and preparedness to strengthen your business.

Achieve better efficiency and productivity from ISO certification:

If you imagine what perfection looks like, you may have a fixed and final state in mind. Whereas, by taking the approach of continuous improvement, you can prioritise optimising individual or inter-related processes and systems within your business. The beauty of ISO standards is that they provide a structured approach to streamlining operations, eliminating waste, and improving efficiency. By achieving ISO certification, you can be confident that you’re equipping your organisation with the tools to identify operational blockages, enhance productivity, and drive cost savings. So, your focus shifts from achieving perfection to successfully making meaningful, ongoing improvements which deliver tangible results.

See continuous improvement in customer satisfaction:

There’s another good reason not to wait for your business to be at peak perfection before you seek ISO certification. Once you start your journey, you can prioritise customer satisfaction from the outset. ISO standards emphasise meeting customer requirements and expectations through effective quality management and continuous improvement. So, by gaining ISO certification, you send out a powerful message that you are committed to delivering consistent, reliable, high-quality products and services. In so doing, you can build trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships with your customers.

Competitive advantage from ISO certification:

It’s the holy grail that can revolutionise your business’ success, but how can you achieve competitive advantage? The reality is that second that you spend on delayed perfection can give your competitors an opportunity to surpass you. Yet by taking decisive action and starting your certification journey, you can position your business ahead of the curve. Being ISO certified demonstrates clearly that your business is dedicated to excellence. This sets you apart from competitors and enhances your reputation in the marketplace. It serves as a potent distinguishing factor that attracts new customers by opening doors to new business opportunities.

“Delaying ISO certification in pursuit of perfection is a common pitfall that can hinder your business’ growth. We collaborate with clients every day as they embark on their journey to operational excellence with the help of continuous improvement. Many of them soon recognise the benefits and agree that getting started was a better approach than trying to reach perfection before working with us.”
Claire Howard, Director of ISO-Cert Online Ltd

Next steps

At ISO-Cert Online Ltd, we specialise in helping businesses to reach their full potential through continuous improvement. For more information on our services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

by admin

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Article

Streamline your success: the advantages of integrating ISO standards

29/06/2023

Are you a business owner or leader who has already implemented multiple ISO standards in your organisation? If so, you’ll know that it can be challenging to manage them all with the same focus and approach. But did you know that you can streamline your standards into an integrated management system (IMS)? So, in this article, we’ll explore the advantages of integrating ISO standards and how this will help you to streamline your success and experience a boost to your business.

Enhance efficiency:

By integrating your ISO standards, you can draw together how to approach your management systems. So instead of juggling separate processes and documentation for each standard you can use a unified framework. By doing this, you can optimise how you allocate resources, avoid duplication of effort, and increased efficiency in how you implement and maintain compliance across your business.

Create synergy:

Teamwork makes the dream work, right? And integrating your ISO standards helps you to develop closer working between your colleagues. Across your ISO standards, such as, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, or ISO 22301 (to name a few), there are common elements or similar themes which you can organise into a comprehensive and harmonised system. Everyone pulling in the same direction brings with it fewer conflicting requirements, improved consistency and more effective communication and collaboration across your teams.

Save time and money:

Although the benefits of ISO certification are not in question, some businesses find that managing multiple ISO standards individually can be time-consuming and costly. Did you know that, by integrating ISO standards, you can simplify the overarching management process and make significant savings on operational downtime? This is because that there’s no need to conduct separate audits for each standard. You can also slim down the number of records and documentation you need to maintain. Plus, you can train your staff more quickly on an integrated management system than on several individual standards.

Reduce risks:

Integrating ISO standards enables you to identify and mitigate risks more effectively. Through joined-up thinking, your teams can work together to evaluate potential risks across your whole organisation. This can lead to much faster identification and more strategic risk management, which delivers greater protection for your business.

Encourage continual improvement:

At their core, ISO standards aim to support ongoing, continual improvement. Integrating your ISO standards supports the leaders in your business to think along the same lines when identifying areas of improvement, monitoring performance, and implementing corrective actions. This, in turn, encourages a common sense of approach, which can be calibrated across different teams, to continual improvement, advancing innovation and improving your overall business performance.

“Where appropriate, we always recommend that our clients consider integrating their management systems. It makes sense to work from a single manual rather than having to refer to multiple sets of documentation. And the benefits go far beyond simple efficiency, with clients reporting fundamental improvements in teamwork which have significantly improved morale and their bottom line!”
Claire Howard, Director of ISO-Cert Online Ltd

Next steps

At ISO-Cert Online Ltd, we specialise in helping businesses to achieve an integrated management system with ease. For more information on our services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

by admin

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Article

How ISO certification helps ensure product safety

27/06/2023

Over the last hundred years, and at an ever-increasing speed of late, advancements in technology have helped the manufacturing industry become safer, faster, and more cost-efficient. And whether you’re a manufacturer, retailer or consumer, product safety will be high on your agenda. In this article, we will consider the risks of failing to ensure product safety. And we will look at how ISO certification helps ensure product safety.

As a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, it’s your responsibility to make sure that products are safe. Both for consumers to use, and for following the legal requirements in relation to packaging and labelling.

What are the potential risks associated with unsafe products?

Consumer harm and injuries: The most critical risk is the potential harm and injuries caused to consumers. Unsafe products can lead to accidents, injuries, illnesses, or even fatalities.

Manufacturer liability: Manufacturers which fall short in their duty of care to customers are frequently held responsible for injuries, damages or losses caused by their unsafe products. This can result in legal consequences, financial penalties, and direct compensation claims. Where these occur in the public eye, considerable damage can be done to their reputation. In the most serious cases, businesses have even faced bankruptcy.

Regulatory penalties: Regulatory bodies, for example the Health and Safety Executive or the Food Standards Agency, have the authority to impose penalties, fines, and sanctions on both manufacturers and retailers who fail to meet product safety standards. Depending on the severity to consumers of the case, these can be significant. And can not only impact a company’s financial stability and credibility, but also its ability to operate in the market. The internet provides plenty of examples of businesses which have failed in their duty of care to customers and paid a hefty price.

Loss of consumer trust: Where products are purchased via a retailer, a safety breach can negatively impact on more than one business – the manufacturer and the retailer. If confidence in a brand is damaged then the knock-on effects can be significant. They can include decreased sales, loss of market share, and long-term harm to the company’s reputation. Increasingly, consumers are aware of their power to influence others. And it has been known for them to air their grievances with businesses publicly. Often, most effectively on social media, in a bid to make companies accountable for their failings.

Product recalls and replacements: In cases where safety hazards are identified, manufacturers and retailers may need to work together to initiate product recalls or replacements. This process is costly and time-consuming. It can result in financial losses due to product retrieval and disposal, as well as potential reputational damage.

Employee wellbeing: No legitimate business sets outs with the intention of harming the public. Where serious failings occur, the impact on its own staff can be profound. It is essential for businesses to be transparent with their employees. They should explain learnings and communicate improvements which will mitigate the risk of a similar incident happening again. Similarly, businesses may wish to arm staff with advice on how to manage negative publicity.

So how can ISO certification help ensure product safety?

The International Organization for Standardization has developed a range of standards regarding product safety. These include ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 22000 (food safety management) and ISO 13485 (medical device quality management). These standards give detailed rules on how to ensure product safety through risk assessment, hazard identification, as well as control measures.

Businesses are able to acquire ISO certification once they have established an appropriate management system and have been successfully audited. Thus demonstrating that their products are safe for use or consumption. How ISO certification helps ensure product safety requires the following:

Risk assessment and hazard identification through ISO certification

Using ISO certification companies need to conduct risk assessments and identify potential hazards in relation to their products. This should involve evaluating the potential dangers that might arise. Typically these are found in design inconsistencies, production processes, packaging techniques, labelling and usage instructions, and during distribution. With the information obtained from the assessment process, companies then implement effective countermeasures geared towards reducing such risks. Thereby ensuring that their products are safe for use or consumption.

Effective control measures using ISO certification

As part of ISO certification, businesses must implement control measures aimed at mitigating the potential risks associated with their products. These measures may encompass implementing quality control processes, introducing testing procedures, and also involve committing to regular inspection routines. All resulting in ensuring that products meet safety standards and comply with regulatory requirements.

Continuous improvement with ISO certification

One of the main benefits of ISO certification lies in its purpose to drive ongoing and continuous improvement. So, the journey doesn’t end when you receive your certificate! To maintain certification, businesses should conduct regular audits. These will evaluate whether their management systems are still effective. In so doing, companies can be confident that their processes and procedures are robust, relevant, and always improving to ensure ongoing product safety for consumers.

“Many of our clients come to us because they are looking for a straightforward, common-sense approach to how ISO certification can help ensure product safety. When nothing short of excellence will do, ISO certification provides that framework they need. Helping them to demonstrate their commitment to the rigorous standards that build trust, safeguard their customers, and keep their reputation intact.”
Claire Howard, Director of ISO-Cert Online Ltd

Not yet ISO certified?

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

by admin

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Article

The importance of ISO standards in the food industry

15/06/2023

Globally, the food and drink manufacturing industry is one of the most strictly controlled industries. It has regulations governing everything from food safety and production processes through to labelling and packaging. What’s more, quality and safety levels must be maintained at all times across supply chains. ISO certification provides those in the food industry with a comprehensive framework to make meeting these requirements more manageable. So, in this article, we’ll explore the importance of ISO certification in the food industry.

ISO 22000 and food safety management systems:

Regardless of the size of an organisation or its product, all food producers and distributors have a responsibility to manage the safety of their products and the well-being of their consumers. Compliance with current food safety standards, potentially across different continents of the world, is essential but can be complex. So the International Organization for Standardization developed ISO 22000 for use within the global food supply chain. Its aim was to bring people food that they can trust.

The consequences of unsafe food can be serious. So implementing a food safety management system (FSMS), such as ISO 22000, is essential. It guides you through how to make careful risk assessments as well as manage hazards, monitor processes, and apply controls. By achieving certification, firms clearly establish themselves as advocates for sustainability and safe practices. Also significantly reducing the likelihood of foodborne illness outbreaks – e.g. Norovirus, Salmonella and Listeria. Such outbreaks are not only unpleasant for consumers. They can lead to product recalls, reputational damage, the risk of penalties and fines. Moreover, in very serious instances, company closure.

Other ISO standards in the food industry:

Although ISO 22000 is specifically relevant to the food industry, there are a range of other ISO standards which are popular and appropriate for the sector.

ISO 9001: The most common ISO standard supports businesses in improving their quality management processes. This leads to food products being high quality and meeting customer requirements.

ISO 14001: Consumers are placing greater value on the provenance of what they eat and how it’s packaged. So implementing an environmental management system encourages businesses to improve their environmental impact and operate sustainably.

ISO 45001: Regardless of your industry, you should want to provide a safe workplace for your staff. In food manufacturing specifically, heavy machinery used in the production process can pose a risk if not used correctly or safely. An occupational health and safety management system provides a framework for managing safety at work. This improves the protection of your staff in their day-to-day roles.

“Food is essential in our lives – not just for sustenance but for socialising and cultural identity. Whether your company is involved in the production, processing, and distribution of food products, or you supply ingredients or packaging materials to the food industry, ISO standards enable you to uphold the highest standards, demonstrating your commitment to delivering reliable and trustworthy products to consumers.”
Claire Howard, Director of ISO-Cert Online Ltd

Not yet ISO certified?

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

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Article

Celebrating your company’s ISO certification: how to inspire and motivate your team

05/06/2023

You’ve just received your ISO certification – congratulations! Your achievement signifies your business’s commitment to delivering quality services, processes, and customer satisfaction. But how involved are your staff? Do they understand the importance of ISO, beyond celebrating your certification? In this article, we will look at practical ways to inspire your team and motivate them by fostering a culture of pride, engagement and continuous development.

Convey the value of ISO certification:

Educate your team members about the reasons for and benefits of obtaining an ISO certificate. Moreover, demonstrate how it aligns with your organisation’s goals and values. Bring to life its merits, such as enhanced processes, better customer satisfaction and a boost to your brand’s reputation. Also, highlight how your ISO standard(s) will go hand-in-hand with creating a better work environment while contributing towards the success of your business as a whole.

Train and involve your employees:

Invest in employee training programs related to ISO standards, which will enable everyone to understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining compliance. Encourage active participation by empowering staff to contribute to process improvement initiatives, internal audits, and ISO-related activities. Inevitably, this involvement will build a sense of ownership and collaboration, making your people feel valued and integral to the company’s ISO certification journey and overall success.

Give recognition and rewards:

Do any of your staff consistently contribute to maintaining your ISO standard(s)? If so, make sure to acknowledge individual members’ efforts. Where employees regularly suggest innovative ideas for improving processes or actively participate in audits, recognise them. Perhaps consider adding these activities as objectives within employee performance frameworks to reinforce how important they are to your business. Also, you could implement an employee recognition program, rewarding valuable contributions towards maintaining a healthy workplace and supporting regulatory compliance.

Use internal communication channels:

Nobody likes to feel in the dark. In fact, businesses with an open and transparent culture have measurably lower staff turnover. So, keep employees informed through effective internal communication channels. By providing clear updates about ongoing improvements or developments your teams will feel more invested in your success. And, importantly, by encouraging employees to ask questions, give feedback and share their experiences you can track staff engagement and sentiment, to support you in building your culture of collaboration and growth.

“Celebrating your company’s ISO certification goes well beyond simply displaying a certificate on a wall. It’s a great opportunity to generate engagement, understanding and participation from your entire team so that it becomes a cornerstone of your business’ continued success.”
Claire Howard, Director of ISO-Cert Online Ltd

Not yet ISO certified?

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

by admin

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Article

Driving operational excellence: how ISO standards empower SMEs

01/06/2023

Every day, small and medium size businesses (SMEs) face a range of operational challenges that can hinder growth and success. Often, the fundamental areas of concern include process efficiency, health and safety, information security, environmental responsibilities, and business continuity. So, in this blog, we’ll highlight how ISO standards can provide a solution for getting over these hurdles and enhancing your competitive edge.

ISO standards can be implemented in businesses of any size and across all industries and sectors. They have been developed to make life easier, safer and better. So how exactly can they help you?

ISO 9001: Enhancing quality management

If you’re looking to improve the quality of your products or services, ISO 9001 can help you to develop your process management. It offers guidance-based solutions. And provides insights on documented workflows, specific directions, and standardised operation procedures. Thereby leading to quality delivery while ensuring efficiency with your resources. This standard enables SMEs to identify areas for improvement and achieve consistent quality. In so doing, companies can meet customer expectations, resulting in enhanced credibility and customer loyalty.

ISO 14001: Driving environmental sustainability

Embracing environmental responsibilities is not only the right thing to do for the planet. Also, it brings many benefits to companies. As a result, environmental sustainability is an increasingly important consideration for businesses. ISO 14001 provides SMEs with guidelines for implementing effective environmental management systems. By adopting ISO 14001, SMEs can minimise their environmental impact, reduce waste generation, conserve resources, and comply with environmental regulations. So this not only demonstrates their commitment to sustainability, but also opens doors to eco-conscious customers and business opportunities.

ISO 50001: Optimising energy management

Effective energy management is crucial for SMEs seeking to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. ISO 50001 offers a systematic approach to optimising energy use. By implementing ISO 50001, SMEs can identify energy-saving opportunities. Also, it helps them to establish effective energy management systems. And it can support them in reducing their carbon footprint. Furthermore, this results in significant cost savings, enhanced environmental performance, and a competitive edge in a sustainability-focused market.

ISO 45001: Ensuring occupational health and safety

Ensuring the health and safety of employees is a top priority for SMEs. So ISO 45001 assists SMEs in establishing robust occupational health and safety management systems. By adopting ISO 45001, SMEs can identify potential hazards, mitigate risks, and create a safe working environment. Indeed, this leads to a reduction in accidents and reduced unforeseen stoppage time. Additionally, it results in improved employee morale and increased productivity, while also ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

ISO 27001: Safeguarding information security

Information security is essential in today’s rapidly changing digital age. ISO 27001 provides a comprehensive framework for managing information security risks. By implementing ISO 27001, SMEs can identify vulnerabilities, establish information security policies and procedures, and protect sensitive data. This helps build customer trust, prevents data breaches, and ensures compliance with data protection regulations.

ISO 22301: Enabling business continuity

When it comes to continuously meeting customer expectations, the challenge of maintaining business continuity through unpredictable standalone events could be daunting. ISO 22301 provides businesses with actionable strategies to proactively establish comprehensive plans that help minimise downtime, discouraging bottom-line losses while continuity of service remains unaffected by situational disruptions. This promotes the stability of critical functions, safeguards customer relationships, and enables rapid recovery.

“Implementing ISO standards is like putting your business in a suit of armour. It shields you from risks, fortifies your processes, and defends your reputation. With any of these standards, or a selection, your business becomes a formidable force, empowered to conquer challenges and withstand competition.”
Claire Howard, Director of ISO-Cert Online Ltd

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

by admin

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Keeping the lights on: why energy management is essential for SMEs

05/05/2023

With company insolvencies reaching a 13-year peak, in the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey, carried out in August 2022, over 20% of businesses said that their main concern was meeting energy prices. In this blog, “Keeping the lights on: why energy management is essential for SMEs”, we look at what action SMEs can take to reduce energy consumption and make energy cost savings.

SMEs and the energy crisis

There’s no getting around it – SMEs have been hit hard by the last few years. With a brutal combination of a struggling post-COVID economy, the sharp rise in the cost of materials, and labour shortages facing businesses across the UK. Add to that the unforeseen and acute energy crisis and it can feel as though the odds are stacked against small and medium sized businesses.

Of the 5.5 million small businesses in the UK, over 1 million are thought to be locked into long-term energy supply contracts, according to the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Rising company insolvencies and Government initiatives to support SMEs

Small manufacturers are understood to be some of the worst affected, due to their high energy use, which is likely to have an impact on their clients – often larger manufacturers – and UK supply chains. The ONS says there were 5,629 insolvencies in the second quarter of 2022 – the most since 2009. This was when the UK was in the midst of the global financial meltdown. And this number could rise following the end of the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme. In its place is the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme. You can check your eligibility on the gov.uk website. The scheme comes just a few months after the ‘It All Adds Up’ campaign which provided similar advice for households.

Awareness of energy efficiency, both in industry and households, could certainly use a boost. The UK has pledged to reduce energy demand by 15% and reach net zero by 2050. But, with no promise of falling energy prices on the near horizon, commentators are predicting that the outlook for smaller businesses may get worse before it gets better.

Facing the challenge of energy management

Of course, the Government has a role to play in supporting businesses with the cost of electricity and gas. But beyond these subsidies and other grants which may be available, business owners can be looking inwardly. By assessing their operations, they can find practical ways to save energy-related costs and keep the wolf from the door.

The Department of Energy & Climate Change’s research suggests that the average SME could reduce energy bills by 18-25% by adopting energy efficiency practices as well as encouraging staff to be more green-minded at work. So, looking around your own business, identify the low hanging fruit in terms of energy cost-cutting. Indeed, these are most likely your heating, lighting and machinery. But where do you start?

Implementing an Energy Management System

ISO 50001 was developed to support businesses in any industry to implement an Energy Management System (EnMS), which will improve energy efficiency and generate cost savings. The framework includes:

developing a policy for more efficient use of energy;
fixing targets and objectives to meet the policy;
using data to better understand and make decisions about energy use;
measuring the results;
reviewing how well the policy works; and
continually improving energy management.

With the framework to guide you, it won’t take long to identify areas for improvement. You may worry about the investment required or payback period for replacing, upgrading or retrofitting your business operations or premises. But there is good news! Many energy efficiency improvement measures require no capital expenditure and minimal effort. For example:

Closely control heating and cooling systems so that you can prevent waste.
Keep all radiators free from obstructions so that heat circulates easily.
Encourage staff to appropriately switch off all computer equipment and production machinery, to prevent idle running.
Remember to close windows if the heating is on, to conserve heat.
Turn off lights and air conditioning in rooms when people leave, as they’re not needed.
Analyse energy consumption patterns to predict periods/areas of high or low use, to support you in choosing the right energy supplier.

Motivating staff to play their part

Key to your effort is engaging your own staff. The Energy Saving Trust has some useful resources for your employees, including posters, stickers and staff briefings to raise awareness of energy consumption and to build an energy saving culture in your workplace.

Next steps

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

Sources: Energy Saving Trust | The Guardian | Office for National Statistics | gov.uk

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Let ISO 14001 certification give your business a sustainable advantage

12/04/2023

Responsibility for the environment is now one of the most significant considerations for consumers and businesses around the world. People judge the impact that businesses have on the environment with greater scrutiny. So the opportunity arises for organisations to boost their brand and reputation and create a sustainable advantage through green practices. By aligning with consumer values and demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting our planet, let ISO 14001 certification give your business a sustainable advantage. After all, businesses which prioritise sustainability are better placed to succeed in the future.

Figures from recent studies appear to confirm this:

Global Google searches for topics related to sustainable products increased by around 130% between 2017 and 2022.
78% of consumers feel that sustainability is important.
55% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly brands.
In 2021, 50% of global consumers said that they had become more eco-friendly in the past six months.

Conversely, poor environmental practices can alienate customers. Importantly, the following factors play a role in making consumers turn their backs on a brand:

Poor environmental track record (84%)
Unsustainable packaging (83%)
Poor compliance record (82%)
Irresponsible sourcing of materials (82%)
Poor human rights track record (82%)

How can you bring your operations more in line with these values?

One way that you can demonstrate your business’ commitment to sustainability is to obtain ISO 14001 certification. In brief, this is awarded to businesses which have implemented an effective environmental management system (EMS). And ISO 14001 certification gives your business a sustainable advantage in several ways:

Improving your brand reputation:

ISO 14001 certification is recognised around the world as a mark of environmental excellence. By obtaining this certification, you are making a clear statement to your key stakeholders. (For example, your existing and potential customers, suppliers and society in general.) Above all, you are showing that you are committed to sustainability and responsible environmental management.

Increasing operational efficiency:

An effective EMS can help you detect opportunities for improvement. For instance, reducing waste, improving energy efficiency, and optimising how you use resources within your organisation. By implementing these improvements, you can reduce your environmental impact. Additionally, you can reduce costs and make cost savings.

Guaranteeing regulatory compliance:

Businesses which operate in highly regulated industries or sectors may need to demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations. Indeed, ISO 14001 certification provides a comprehensive framework for compliance, helping businesses to avoid penalties and legal risks.

Reducing environmental risks:

Environmental risks, such as pollution, climate change, and resource depletion can pose a significant threat to businesses. Here, ISO 14001 certification can help you identify and mitigate these risks. In fact, it can help you to reduce the likelihood of disruptions to your operations and supply chain. In turn, this will keep your customers satisfied.

Gaining a competitive edge:

In obtaining ISO 14001 certification, your business will stand out from your competitors that have not made the same commitment to sustainability. Of course, this can give you a competitive advantage in your marketplace, attracting environmentally conscious customers.

How can you let consumers know that you are taking steps to reduce your environmental impact?

Some businesses struggle to communicate their green credentials. Typically, for fear of people accusing them of greenwashing. However, with ISO certification under your belt and an effective EMS in place, you only need to look to how your business operates to find things which will appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. As a starting point:

Incorporate sustainability into your brand messaging:

Make sure that your brand messaging reflects your commitment to sustainability. Create a brand promise with sustainability at its core. It will reassure consumers that reducing your environmental impact is at the heart of how you deliver your products/services.

Use eco-friendly packaging:

Across the world, packaging is a huge source of waste. And consumers are increasingly concerned and frustrated about its environmental impact. Have you considered using eco-friendly packaging materials? For instance, recycled materials, biodegradable alternatives or even simply reducing the amount of packaging you use. After all, your packaging is a tangible element of your brand. So, you can show consumers that you are committed to playing your role in protecting the planet through responsible environmental management.

Communicate your sustainability initiatives:

Share your successes! Let people know about any activities or schemes you’re involved in which contribute to improving the environment. Moreover, use social media, your website, email newsletters, advertising and other channels to communicate your sustainability initiatives. For example, reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, or supporting environmental causes.

Partner with environmentally focused organisations:

Teaming up with carefully-chosen organisations which are focused on environmental issues can help you demonstrate your commitment to sustainability. And boost your brand reputation. So, consider allying yourself with local or national non-profit organisations that focus on environmental causes. Or work with suppliers that have strong sustainability initiatives.

Finally, an EMS provides a framework for continuous improvement. It helps you identify areas where you can reduce your environmental impact and implement solutions to address these areas. So, achieving ISO 14001 certification is just the start of an exciting journey of you becoming increasingly environmentally friendly. Let ISO 14001 certification give your business a sustainable advantage today!

“It seems that almost every day there’s a new story about how companies have fallen foul of their environmental duties. As an environmentalist, I am particularly passionate about ISO 14001 and its value in supporting businesses to implement and maintain an Environmental Management System so that they can operate as sustainably as possible. And, based on consumer trends, ultimately being a responsible business is good for business too.”
Steve Weaver, Director of ISO-Cert Online Ltd

For more information on ISO-Cert Online’s services or to discuss your requirements please contact us on 0333 014 7720 or email info@isocertonline.net.

Sources: The Roundup | Google | McKinsey | GWI | Facilities Management UK

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Article

How Can You Standardise Tea?

Why Standardise Tea?

A Prerequisite To Close A Deal

Open For International Business

Get The Best Employees

Global Standardisation

The First ISO Standard

Help and More Information

Customer Focus

Leadership

Engagement Of People

Process Approach

Improvement

Evidence-Based Decision Making

Relationship Management

What is ISO 14000?

How can ISO 9001 help?

Do you need help with achieving ISO 9001?

Most common non-conformities with ISO 9001

Do you need help with achieving ISO 9001?

Embrace a culture of continuous improvement with ISO standards:

Approach risk management proactively with ISO standards:

Achieve better efficiency and productivity from ISO certification:

See continuous improvement in customer satisfaction:

Competitive advantage from ISO certification:

Next steps

Enhance efficiency:

Create synergy:

Save time and money:

Reduce risks:

Encourage continual improvement:

Next steps

What are the potential risks associated with unsafe products?

So how can ISO certification help ensure product safety?

Risk assessment and hazard identification through ISO certification

Effective control measures using ISO certification

Continuous improvement with ISO certification

Not yet ISO certified?

ISO 22000 and food safety management systems:

Other ISO standards in the food industry:

Not yet ISO certified?

Convey the value of ISO certification:

Train and involve your employees:

Give recognition and rewards:

Use internal communication channels:

Not yet ISO certified?

ISO 9001: Enhancing quality management

ISO 14001: Driving environmental sustainability

ISO 50001: Optimising energy management

ISO 45001: Ensuring occupational health and safety

ISO 27001: Safeguarding information security

ISO 22301: Enabling business continuity

SMEs and the energy crisis

Rising company insolvencies and Government initiatives to support SMEs

Facing the challenge of energy management

Implementing an Energy Management System

Motivating staff to play their part

Next steps

How can you bring your operations more in line with these values?

Improving your brand reputation:

Increasing operational efficiency:

Guaranteeing regulatory compliance:

Reducing environmental risks:

Gaining a competitive edge:

How can you let consumers know that you are taking steps to reduce your environmental impact?

Incorporate sustainability into your brand messaging:

Use eco-friendly packaging:

Communicate your sustainability initiatives:

Partner with environmentally focused organisations:

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