What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 identifies the steps that are involved in the running of a business and provides guidance on incorporating these steps in a formal quality management process. The processes identified need to show how orders are dealt with from initial enquiry through the stages of manufacture and delivery.
As various Product Standards are produced in Europe, there will be pressure to implement the CE marking of construction products. Although there are a number of different evaluation systems identified for CE marking, one single requirement is involved for all these systems, namely, a written Factory Production Control (FPC) system.
The introduction of an ISO 9001 system will provide the sound basis for an FPC system. In addition, the certification of a company’s quality management system can give access to a wider range of buyers, particularly those organisations spending public money, such as local authorities, government agencies, schools, hospitals.
What does it involve?
To prepare for an ISO 9001-based management system, it is necessary to set out the various stages involved in running the business, or more simply, the stages in the process to manufacture a particular product.
The basic steps are:
- Document the steps involved in dealing with enquiries, orders, production and purchasing. Initially, this need only be the major steps.
- Subdivide each step as the system is developed.
- Ensure that the steps include both the production process as well the administration process.
- Organise the recording of the paper work.
- Set up a Quality Manual.
- Establish a formal control for the process.
- Establish an internal audit process to check on progress and to identify any potential improvements in the production process.
- Identify responsible personnel to monitor the system.
How can the BWF help?
The BWF has produced a completed a quality manual, produced for a fictitious company, which provides a template for a manual that can be adjusted to fit your company. The manual comes complete with guidance notes, a copy of BS ISO9001:2008 and half a day's, on-site, consultant's assistance. The package can be built up further by adding extra assistance by the BWF's consulting partners on a full or half day basis.
If you are thinking of joining the BWF-CERTIFIRE Fire Door & Doorset Scheme as a licenced convertor or prime door manufacturer, you'll need to implement ISO 9001:2008 which must be certificated through a UKAS accredited certification body.
Click here for further information, costings, and an application form.
