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Certifications delivered by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are a system of world-wide quality management standards focused on global, industrial, and commercial best practices for each industry. These quality certifications serve as a way to ensure that organizations across the world follow the same outlines and processes to maintain quality and ensure employee safety. Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) similarly establishes standards for workplace safety.
By adopting and staying in compliance with these global standards, organizations demonstrate their dedication to maintaining effective operating procedures and meeting customer expectations.
So what does it take to earn these certifications? Below, we’ll take a deeper look at the process and what difference these certifications make to you when you work with these certified organizations.
ISO Certification Process
CentricsIT maintains three certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.The CentricsIT facility located at 3140 Northwoods Parkway, Suite 500, Norcross, GA holds ISO 14001:2015, Responsible Recycling© (R2) and ISO 45001:2018, in respect to the scope of data destruction, audit resale and recycle, while the CentricsIT office located in Suite 700 of the same address is ISO 9001:2015 certified, in respect to IT hardware reselling services, hardware rentals and services that include hardware maintenance, hardware installations and data center moves.
Serving as a benchmark for an organization’s operating procedures, ISO 9001 is a standardization based on certain principles of quality management, including customer focus and continual improvement. ISO 14001 measures how effective a company’s recycling methods are regarding limiting environmental impacts. And finally, ISO 45001 measures how well an organization meets certain occupational health and safety management standards.
The ISO certification process typically begins with an organization bringing in a consultant to document each process in your facility. Once the documentation is ready, the organization schedules an initial audit. This process from first engaging the consultant to scheduling the first audit can take about 6 to 9 months.
The auditing process takes place in two stages. During the first stage, a certified auditor will do a comprehensive review of the organization’s processes. The auditor will check to ensure that there are real-life examples of the documentation.
After this first visit, the auditor will present his or her findings and offer recommendations for what the organization needs to correct. Keep in mind that an auditor’s job is to find problems—so the auditor will. Do not be discouraged. At this point, you will have the chance to remediate the issues that the auditor uncovered and prepare for the follow-up audit.
The second audit takes place about six weeks later. The auditor will return to make sure that the organization has corrected any issues identified during the first audit. If the auditor is satisfied and can confirm that everyone within the organization has followed through with the processes documented, then the company will receive its certification in about 6–8 weeks.
What ISO Certification Means for an Organization
ISO certifications serve as a sort of global measuring stick through which we can better understand how an organization’s processes stack up against other companies. Though these certifications are by no means easy to acquire, they help ensure the consistent deliverability of a quality product.
The primary goal of certification is to ensure that what you say you do in theory happens in actual day-to-day practice.
These certifications serve as an excellent way for customers to differentiate between companies who may not take the time or effort to maintain these quality standards. When it comes down to the wire, customers can confidently choose a vendor who commits to the accountability of a certified quality assurance process because these processes hold up under pressure and make sure that the vendor consistently delivers according to its word.
At CentricsIT, we are dedicated to exceeding customer expectations while delivering the highest quality products and services. That’s why we make it a priority to maintain our quality certifications. In addition to the ISO certifications, we have also earned the R2 certification for responsible recycling. We take pride in knowing that, by rising to the challenge of maintaining certifications, we provide a better experience for our customers.
It’s certified! CentricsIT delivers. Contact us today to learn more about how our quality certifications can help you reach your goals.
