ISO 9001:2015 sets the global standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS), providing a framework for companies to ensure consistent quality in their products and services. Here's a simplified summary of its key components:
Context of the Organization: Understand internal and external factors that affect the QMS and address them within the system’s scope.
Leadership and Commitment: Top management must demonstrate leadership and commitment to the QMS, ensuring the integration of quality management into business processes.
Planning: Organizations must plan actions to address risks and opportunities, setting quality objectives that are measurable and consistent with the quality policy.
Support: Adequate resources, including personnel, infrastructure, and an environment conducive to the operation of processes, must be provided. This includes the need for awareness, communication, and documented information.
Operation: Careful planning and control of processes related to the products and services, including designing, providing, producing, and delivering products and services that meet quality requirements.
Performance Evaluation: Regular monitoring and measurement of processes and products against quality standards, policies, and objectives to ensure success. This includes internal audits and management reviews.
Improvement: Continuous improvement must be a focus of the QMS, ensuring the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the system. Nonconformities must be addressed, and corrective actions must be taken to improve overall performance.
ISO 9001:2015 emphasizes a process approach, integrating the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and risk-based thinking into quality management. This approach aims to enhance customer satisfaction and continual improvement by identifying and mitigating potential risks to quality and efficiency.