Every seven years the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), brings revisions to their popular quality
management system, ISO 9001. The year 2015 brought with it an update to its outdated ISO 9001:2008 standards in an attempt to ensure that they remain useful tools for the marketplace. The challenges faced by business and organizations today are very different from a few decades ago and ISO 9001 has been updated to take this new environment into account.
This blog tried to cover the major difference between the old and new ISO 9001 standards. Although, both old and new standards cover essentially the same topics, there are some important differences that you should be aware of.
Significant changes in standards.
The most noticeable change to the standard is its new structure. ISO 9001:2015 now follows the same overall structure as other ISO management system standards (known as the High-Level Structure), making it easier for anyone using multiple management systems. More information can be found in Annex SL of ISO/IEC Directives Part 1 (the rules for developing ISO standards). Another major difference is the focus on risk-based thinking. While this has always been part of the standard, the new version gives it increased prominence.
Let’s look at some basic similarities and differences between ISO 9001: 2008 and ISO 9001: 2015
Similarities | |
| ISO 9001: 2008 | ISO 9001; 2015 |
| Introduction | Introduction |
| Scope | Scope |
| Normative reference | Normative reference |
| Terms and definitions | Terms and definitions |
Differences | |
| Quality management system | Context of the organisation |
| Management responsibility | Leadership |
| Resource management | Planning |
| Product realisation | Support |
| Measurement, analysis and improvement | Operation |
| N/A | Performance evaluation |
| N/A | Improvement |
What are the benefits of the new version?
There are various benefits of the new version to the user.
- It puts greater emphasis on leadership engagement
- It aids in helping address organizational risks and opportunities in a structured manner
- It uses simplified language and a common structure and terms, which are particularly helpful to organizations using multiple management systems, such as those for the environment, health & safety, or business continuity
- It addresses supply chain management more effectively
- It is more user-friendly for service and knowledge-based organizations
What should a user do if he is currently using ISO 9001: 2008
The latest ISO standards are suited to meet the needs of today’s business world. Therefore changing to the new standards is highly recommended. The steps involved to adjust your management system are most likely uniquely different, as every organisation is uniquely different. However, we have compiled a list of dos to get you started:
#1 – Familiarize yourself with the new document. While some things have indeed changed, many remain the same. Reading up on various documents available, will help you identify if parts of the standard have been moved to other sections.
#2 – Recognize organizational gaps which need to be addressed to meet new requirements.
#3 – Develop a POA (plan of action)
#4 – Implement appropriate trainings wherever required, especially for parties that have a greater impact on the organisation.
#5 – Update your outdated QMS to fit in with the revised requirements.
#6 – If you are able to achieve certification standards, speak to your certification body about transitioning to the new systems.
To get all the latest info and expert guidance on transitioning from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015 join expert speaker Louis M. Gobern, PMP®, in a live webinar titled: ISO 9001:2015 Key Changes and Transition. This session will provide a detailed implementation plan for organisational change for transitional QMS, based on the recently published International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015.
