ISA Registrar, Inc.

Determining the scope of the QMS Certification is often not well understood. The scope can be defined as the boundaries that surround the QMS process. Here we explain the factors that should be considered when determining the scope of the QMS: https://www.isaregistrar.com//determining-the-scope-of-th/ #ISO9001 #qualitymanagement

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about a number of unforeseen challenges. As we learn to adapt to these difficult times, we would like to share some tips on how to ensure a smoother remote auditing process. Here are some ways to prepare for your remote audit with ISA: Establish which video conferencing platform you plan to utilize. It is important to identify a platform you are comfortable with to avoid delays or technical difficulties during the audit. Prepare as many proce...dures, documents, reports, data, and information as possible that is pertinent to the processes and activities to be audited ahead of the start of the audit. Doing this will avoid unnecessary delays and will help to ensure a smooth and efficient auditing process. Specific documents requested by the auditor can include: Purchase orders, sales orders where a change was processed, evaluation records for a new supplier, list of employee names for each process, and a copy of the plant layout so that the auditor can get a feel of the production flow. The health and safety of our clients and auditors remains our top priority during this crisis. ISA is continuously monitoring the situation and taking appropriate steps to minimize disruption to our operations while safely conducting the auditing process.

How do Aviation Regulations and the AS9100 Standard Correlate? The relationship between Aviation regulations and the AS9100 standard requirements is worth recognizing due to the correlations found in the FAA and EASA regulation paragraphs and the AS9100 clauses. IAQG (International Aerospace Quality Group) has put together a document outlining these correlations in their AS9100 support materials that can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gRd_ttt... The AS9100 quality management system requirements are applicable to all levels of the supply chain and can benefit organizations around the world. The implementation of this standard is meant to result in cost reduction, improved scheduling, and an overall improvement in efficiency and quality.

Standards Leading to Better Lives: As of 2019, there have been 1.3 million ISO 9001 certificates issued across 178 countries and economies! Standardization is helping countries develop their economies to new levels through a global effort. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently published an article outlining the benefits. One benefit of standardization is forming networks. Trade agreements between countries help build an infrastructure of quality an...d safety standards to support the conformity of traded goods. As a result, there is an increase in import and export opportunities. The mutual recognition of standards and certification of service suppliers makes it easier for businesses to satisfy the regulatory requirements of operating in each other’s markets. Additionally, improved quality infrastructure is another benefit of standardization. International standards are critical to ensure that processes, products and services are interchangeable, compatible, allow better utilization of resources and create better communication across borders. For the full article, click here: https://lnkd.in/eCqjnj6

Conformity Assessment, is the fundamental means of determining that a process, product, service or person meets relevant technical standards. Many companies require suppliers to obtain and maintain certifications to one or more management systems, such as: ISO 9001, AS9100, AS9120 and ESD 20.20. Certification of the management system standard provides confidence to buyers that processes are in place for a product or service to be systematically performed to meet applicable re...quirements. After successful completion of conformity assessment by a Certification Body (CB) like @ International Standards Authority, a Certificate of Registration is issued which bears the marks of an Accreditation Body (AB) such as ANAB and a Certification Body (CB) such as ISA. Buyers should always request and evaluate the validity of the certificate. Each certificate should have: Company’s name and location Management system standard certified to Scope or the activity Date the certification was issued, along with the expiration date or recertification date Name, address, and certification mark of the CB Mark of AB

A preassessment audit is an important step for organizations that are beginning their certification process. Not only does the preassessment provide an opportunity for the organization to get acquainted with the auditing process, it also offers an external perspective on the current management system. A preassessment is a full system audit against the requirements of a specific standard. This assessment helps the organization discover areas of potential nonconformance and p...rovides an opportunity to correct them prior to a formal certification audit; the on-site visit determines organization’s compliance status, serves as a gap analysis for benchmarking and is extremely helpful in determining readiness for assessment. Some of the benefits of preassessment’s are: Identification of nonconformities and implementation of corrective actions. Focusing resources on weaknesses that might lead to nonconformities during certification audit. Contributing to the overall preparation of the certification audit. Getting acquainted with the Certification Body’s auditor and the certification process.

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF)’s primary goal is to develop a single worldwide program of conformity assessment. This year IAF began an initiative to provide a global database which allows those within the industry, governments and key stakeholders digital access to verify the accreditation of certified entities. This initiative is a major milestone in greater transparency across organizations and supply chains, it will validate individual accredited certifications from any economy in the world in real time. ISA Registrar is very pleased to share that we have been invited to participate in this initiative. We are very pleased to see the advancements being made by IAF in continuing their mission of worldwide conformity assessment. Introducing IAF CertSearch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2pEwXVrfUg

Risk Based Thinking In the new revision of ISO 9001:2015, AS9100 D and AS9120 B, significant changes have been made to risk-based thinking. The concept of risk has always been implicit in the previous standards; however, new additions have made it more precise and builds it into all aspects of the Quality Management System. Risk-based thinking ensures that risk is considered throughout all organization’s processes. Now, risk-based thinking makes prevention a part of strategi...c and operational planning. Typically, risks are identified and prioritized taking in to consideration external and internal issues within the context of the organization. Externally, this can involve several factors such as legal, financial, regulatory, social and cultural. Internal factors can involve the structure of the organization including financial resources, investment opportunities, equipment, facilities and human resources. Once areas are identified, a risk assessment can be performed along with appropriate actions to address these risks and mitigate them to an acceptable level.

Preparing for a third party Certification Body’s audit is a considerable challenge some organizations face before securing their certification to standards such as ISO9001 and AS9100. Typically, organizations begin preparing for their audit by writing quality policy, procedures and other standard related documents to meet the requirements of the standard. After the implementation of these requirements, organizations must conduct internal audits to asses their compliance to t...he standard and correct any issues prior to the Certification Body’s audit. Often times, organizations may decide to hire a consultant or sub-contract activities such as internal audits. Competent consultants often have vast experience in implementing certification standards for various organizations and can speed up the process. Accredited Certification Bodies, such as ISA Registrar, cannot engage in advice-giving or consulting with an organization due to conflict of interest and impartiality requirements, however, we go to great lengths in making sure your certification process is a value added experience.

A few weeks ago, we shared IAF’s promotional video celebrating the upcoming 2019 World Accreditation Day. The theme this year is Accreditation: Adding Value to Supply Chains. ANAB recently published an article which reiterates the value certified accreditation brings to supply chains. https://www.anab.org/blog/delivering-supply-chain-confidence At ISA Registrar, we know the value conformity assessment brings to the management system and we make it our mission to assess org...anizations and verify that the business has a conforming and effective management system that meets the requirements of the recognized standards, so customers can have confidence the business will deliver what is promised. Our auditors are selected based on their industry experience and take a value-added auditing approach that helps enhance business performance. For more information you can visit our website at: www.isaregistrar.com See more

World Accreditation Day: June 9, 2019 The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) have published a video to mark the upcoming occasion. Accreditation worldwide is a cause worth celebrating as it marks the continued global advancement of providing safer workplaces, products, transport, foods, and many other aspects of our lives. Xiao Jianhua, Chair of IAF and Etty Feller, the Chair of ILAC have also released a join...t statement highlighting the theme of this years World Accreditation Day, Adding Value to Supply Chains please follow this link to view their full statement. Joint Statement: https://www.iaf.nu/upFiles/WAD%2019.1.4.pdf IAF Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB87krtT2Pk

Why are internal audits and management review important for management systems? For any organization, the management system is the core of its operations. The management system includes policies, procedures and processes by which an organization operates to ensure desired objectives are met. There are several ways an organization can evaluate if their management system is achieving its full potential. The two key elements and requirements of all management systems are intern...al audits and management review. Management review, or the routine evaluation of the management system is necessary. This review, typically at planned intervals, will pinpoint operational performance of the organization and determine improvements that can be made to achieve set goals and objectives. Internal auditing also allows an organization to assess the implementation of the management system. During this process, independent areas of the management system are evaluated to ensure the desired outcomes are realized. Management systems require monitoring and auditing for improvement. Internal audits and management review provide the opportunity to address issues within the organization’s management system and take steps to resolve them proactively.

Electronics has become one of the leading industries in the world, which should not come as a surprise, given the rising popularity and ubiquity of devices such as smartphones and tablets. To meet increasing demands for these trendy devices, the OEM’s that put them together and brand them need to source their parts from even more manufacturers. Many OEM’s choose to work only with suppliers who have an ESD 20:20 certification (Electrostatic Discharge). An ESD 20:20 certif...ication endorses a professional electronic parts manufacturer that maintains a system which reduces the instances of static electricity during production. While static electricity is often harmless, on occasion, the discharge can be powerful enough to destroy unprotected parts and equipment. ESD 20:20 recognizes those manufacturers who have taken preventive steps and implemented programs that reduce the instances of such problems.