5 Significant Updates to ISO 9001

Numerous significant improvements have been made in the most recent iteration of ISO 9001, the most widely used quality management standard. These changes will help the standard and make it easier to execute.  

According to Kevin McKinley, acting ISO Secretary-General, who oversaw the revision process involving experts from 95 countries, ISO 9001:2015 aims to, among other things, help businesses increase their operational efficiency and take advantage of opportunities in a context of complex global supply chains.  

Here are the top five revisions to ISO 9001 from its previous iteration:

1. Consistency across standards

To make it easier for people using multiple management systems, ISO 9001:2015 follows the same structure as other ISO standards, making integration easier and the audit process simpler.

2. Risk management plan

The new ISO 9001 standard requires businesses to use “risk-based thinking” to identify, consider and control the risks that are inherent in any system, process or function. While risk management was previously separated from the rest of the quality management system, risk now has to be considered at every step of the “plan-do-check-act” cycle.

3. Measurable objectives

Applying the new standard will require more involvement from company management. Clear and specific objectives must not only be set, but progress toward their achievement monitored. The objectives must also evolve over time. They now have to be reviewed at least once a year, and they’ll have to be properly communicated to employees, who will also be more involved in the process.

4. Flexibility

The new standards are less prescriptive and focus on what has to be achieved rather than on how to achieve it. In particular, the 2015 version does not require a specific documentation procedure. It leaves it to the organization to assess its own documentation needs in terms of managing processes, taking into account client requirements and its own regulatory framework.

5. Satisfaction and compliance for all parties

The goal of the new standard is still to ensure product and service compliance in order to meet client expectations. However, the 9001:2015 version goes beyond the client relationship to encompass relationships with all parties, including end users and regulatory organizations, for example.

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