Some Insights of the International Standard Organization (ISO)
It won’t be unjust to say that ISO is one of the most famous and preferred international standards around the world. The series of ISO standards have left great impacts on products and services all over the world.
International Standards Organization (ISO) started its journey back in 1926 as the International Federation of the National Standardizing Associations (ISA). Initially, the focus of the organization was only on mechanical engineering. However, after World War II, it was wholly re-organized in 1946 with its current name ‘International Standards Organization (ISO).
The word ‘ISO’ that is considered an acronym was actually taken from the Greek word ‘ISOS’ that means ‘Equal’. It’s actually a voluntary organization that has got members from recognized standard authorities from different countries.
There are total 2700 technical committees and working groups that do the bulk work of ISO. There happens to be a Secretariat from every member organization to head the committees and subcommittees.
The Process of ISO Standardization
There are member organizations that represent the interests of manufacturers, vendors, professionals, and consumers by reaching standards through consensus.
There happens to be a six-stage process that every standard has to pass by before getting published as an ISO standard. The six-stage process can be described as:
- The proposal stage in which needs for a standard is measured and members are identified.
- The preparatory stage in which a working draft of the standard is made.
- The committee stage to send comments on consensus.
- The inquiry stage in which voting is done.
- The final draft international standard age in which final voting is done and 75% votes are required.
- The final publication stage.
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The Family of ISO Standards
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 9001: 2015 is the most famous ISO certificate for organizations in Saudi Arabia. This particular standard focuses on quality management of products and services. To be called as ISO certified, an organization has to fulfill all the quality management required set by ISO 9001:2015.
Before certifying any organization, ISO 9001 evaluates whether the quality management system you have acquired is effective and appropriate. The standard also urges organizations to ensure continuous improvements.
ISO 9004:2018
ISO 9004:2018 is one of the latest versions in the ISO family. This particular standard focuses on the ability of an organization to achieve sustained success. This particular standard of the family gives a self-assessment tool to an organization regardless of its size and type of work.
19011:2018
19011:2018 is also an important member of the ISO family and it focuses on auditing management systems. The standard helps organizations manage their audit programs, following the right principles of auditing.
The standard also guides organizations on how they can improve their audit programs to improve their in-house performances. Organizations that conduct internal and external audits do get certified from 19011:2018 to show that they follow the best auditing management systems. The revised version of the standard has also emphasized on the risk-based approach.
