"PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING ISO CERTIFICATION"

          An Indian company can obtain ISO 9001 : 2008 certification from accredited agency recognized by International Organisation for Standardization. Indian exporters normally obtain ISO 9001 certification from a foreign accredited agency because of their professional approach in certification.

The following is the procedure to obtain ISO 9001 certification :

1. Evaluation of Existing Quality Procedures :-
   
   
                           The company wishing to obtain ISO 9001 certification should evaluate its existing quality procedures. This is because; a company cannot expect to get itself ISO certified, if is does not fulfill certain minimum standards of quality.
                           The company can appoint an ISO steering team to evaluate the existing quality procedures prevailing withing the firm.
   
   
2. Initiating Corrective Action :-
   
   
                           If  the company (ISO steering team) finds deficiencies in the exsting quality procedures, then there is a need to correct or overcome such deficiencies. Such correnction is required so as to conform to ISO series standards.
   The corrective action may include :
   *  Investigating causes of non-conforming products and identifying corrective action to prevent    recurrence.
   *  Analyzing processes, records, customer complaint, etc., to detect and to eliminate potential causes   of non-conforming products.
   *  Applying controls to ensure that corrective actions are taken and their effective implementation.
   *  Implementing changes in procedures, as corrective actions require.
   *  Initiate preventive action to eliminate potential problems.
   
   
3. Preparation of Quality Assurance Programme :-
   
   
                            Company should prepare a quality assurance programme. This programme would involve details regarding the various areas, departments, or products that require observance of quality control, training to be provided to the employees and other activities, which are required to maintain high quality standards.
   
   
4. Preparation of Quality Manual :-
   
   
                            Company must also prepare a quality manual. The quality manual would provide guidelines to the employees of the firm so as to maintain quality standards.
   The quality manual may include details in respect of:
   *  Purchase procedures.
   *  Quality control procedures.
   *  Maintenance and repairs of plant and machinery.
   *  Procedures relating to handling and storage of inventory.
   *  Procedures relating to packaging and delivery.
   *  Procedures relating to servicing of product, etc.
   
   
5. Selection of certification Agency :-
   
   
                               The Company must select an agency to provide  ISO 9001 certification. The company may select BIS or a foreign accredited agency. Normally, most Indian exporters prefer to appoint a foreign agency (although the expenses are more), as a certification by a reputed foreign agency carries more weight in the international markets.
                                 The company should make an application to the accredited agency along with necessary documents which includes quality manual, undertaking to pay the required fees, etc.
   
   
6. Pre-assessment Meeting :-
   
   
                              Company's representative would hold a pre-assessment (pre-inspectin) meeting with the registrar of the agency. The pre-assessment meeting is required to analyse the quality manual of fthe firm and to appraise the quality standards being adopted by the firem. The firm may also come to know of any specific arrangements required by the agency before certification. 
   
   
7. Preliminary Visit :-
   
   
                              The accredited agency, normally, arranges for a preliminary visit to the firm and notifies the company of any significant omissions or deviations from the prescribed requirements, so that any suitable modifications or changes can be made prior to the assessment visit.
   
   
8. Actual Assessment Visit :-
   
   
                              The Actual Assessment visit is a practical evaluation to check that the company's systems are functioning effectively. If there are any discrepancies, which indicate a systems failure, the company is given a period to rectify the deficiencies. Corrective action programmes are also agreed upon for rectifying any discrepancies detected. 
   
   
   
   
9. Certification :-
   
   
                              If the assessment agency is satisfied with the quality systems of the company, then it would certify or grant ISO 9001 : 2008 certification to the firm. The firm can use the ISO 9001 : 2008 in their advertisements, products packages, letterheads, etc.
   
   
10. Surveillance :-
    
    
                               The accredited agency's registrar normally performs periodic surveillance to assure that the certified company's qualilty system is being maintained. Many agencies may undertake a complete review of the firm's quality systems of teh certified firms. If the firm fails to maintain the quality system, the agency's registrar will suspend or cancel the registration or certification.