ISO 9001 is a quality management system standard developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). It is designed to help organisations consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements while continuously improving their processes and overall performance.
ISO 9001 is granted to organisations, not individuals. This means that an individual cannot become certified on their own. However, individuals can pursue training and certification in various fields related to quality management, such as internal auditor training and lead auditor training. These certifications focus on equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to improve processes and quality within an organisation.
Why Can’t Individuals Become ISO 9001 Certified?
There are a few reasons why individuals cannot become ISO 9001 certified. First, ISO 9001 is a standard for quality management systems. A quality management system is a set of processes and procedures that an organisation uses to ensure that it meets its quality objectives. It is not something that an individual can implement on their own.
Second, certification is granted by an independent third-party certification body. These certification bodies audit organisations to verify that they are compliant with the ISO 9001 standard. They do not audit individuals.
Finally, certification is designed to benefit organisations. It helps organisations to improve their quality, efficiency, and profitability. It also helps them to win new customers and contracts. There is no benefit to individuals from becoming ISO 9001 certified.
What Can Individuals Do Instead?
Mark1 Systems works with a number of companies that are ISO 9001 certified and only have a single member of staff. These include companies that outsource service to contractors so the requirement for in-house staff is minimal.
However if you are not in this position but still interested in quality management, there are a number of things that you can do instead of seeking ISO 9001 certification. You can:
- Pursue training and certification in a field related to quality management.
- Join a professional organisation related to quality management.
- Volunteer your time to a quality improvement project.
- Read blogs and articles about quality management.
- Attend conferences and workshops on quality management.
By taking these steps, you can gain the skills and knowledge that you need to improve quality within an organisation. You can also network with other quality professionals and learn from their experiences.
In conclusion, certification is a valuable asset for organisations. However, it is not something that individuals can achieve. If you are interested in quality management, there are a number of other things that you can do to improve your skills and knowledge in this area.
For more information on ISO certification and the benefits of each standard, you can contact the Mark1 team here.
