Sunday, October 9, 2011

ISO 9000 Training DVD


ISO 9000 Training DVD

ISO 9000 Training DVD

ISO 9000 Training DVD

The major reasons that company leadership or management decides to seek ISO 9000 certification are to gain continued or increased business and to maintain effective operations.

A company can maintain a relationship with customers, as well as get increased business through complying to the ISO 900 standards or becoming certified. This comes from satisfying customer demands, the desire for European business, and to advertise.

The “Introduction to ISO 9001:2008” DVD covers 3 major areas, which will help companies in the process of implementing ISO 9000 Standards. It consists of:

First, to describe some basic information on ISO 9000 Standards. It will specifically refer to ISO 9001:2008 Standards. The video will explained on topic like what is ISO 9000 Standards, The origin, history & evolution, Series of ISO 9000, version & certification in ISO 9000 Standards.

Then, the DVD will go into the introduction on quality management. It will explained on topics like what is quality, quality characteristic, quality management, Quality Management Principles, ISO 9000 vs. Quality, what is Quality Management System & etc.

Finally, the DVD will technically highlight the requirement of Quality Management System in ISO 9001:2008. It also going through in details the steps in implementing Quality Management System in ISO 9001:2008.

ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD


ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

ISO 14001:2004 Training DVD

Global warming, ozone depletion, pollution and extinction of numerous species of animals. These are just a few of the environmental issues that the world faces, in the name of development. As responsible corporate citizens, companies can play their part in preserving our natural environment for our next generation by implementing ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System.

So, what is ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System? What is the requirement of the ISO 14001 standards? What is the content of Environmental Management System? What are the steps in implementing ISO 14001:204 Standards – Environmental Management System? You will find the answers in this “ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System” DVD.

The “ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System” DVD will elaborate in details on:

  1. Introduction to ISO 14001:2004 Standards – Environmental Management System.
  2. The history & origin of the standards.
  3. Requirement of ISO 14001:2004 Standards.
  4. Contents Of ISO 14001:2004 Standards.
  5. ISO 14001:2004 Implementation Steps & Checklist.

No matter how simple or complex the business, each can benefit from the implementation of a management system based on ISO 14001:2004. This international standard has as its focus the prevention of pollution, accomplished by a teamwork approach to identifying those aspects of the organizations processes that have the potential for harming the environment and the development of ways to reduce or prevent this harm.

In the process, many organizations have found ways to reduce costs by elimination of scrap, changes to their waste disposal processes or reduced use of natural resources. It is the application of the system approach that has proven to be successful. And, once the system is in place, it is logical and beneficial to have that system certified and registered. This provides added assurance that the management system remains effective and also provides public recognition to numerous stakeholders that your organization is committed to the prevention of pollution.

Improve your performance management with new version of ISO 9001

A quality management system enables you to manage your business processes effectively:

it is much more than a set of rules and procedures. When properly implemented and maintained, a QMS addresses the needs of your organisation and delivers tangible business benefits.

The new version of ISO 9001 has recently been published. One of the main aims of ISO 9001:2008 is to facilitate integration with other standards. Although there are no new requirements as such, there are some key clarifications to be taken into account.

There are three main objectives to the new standard:

Detail, clarify, improve the understanding of ISO 9001:2000 (previous version)

Improve compatibility with ISO 14001:2004 Simplify the way in which ISO 9001 can be integrated with other management system standards (such as OHSAS 18001)

There are no new requirements in the new standard:

The title, scope, and structure of the standard are unchanged

The process approach is confirmed

Compatibility with the latest revision of ISO 14001:2004 is maintained and improved upon

Preservation of the quality management principles included in ISO 9000:2000

There are five main areas to note. The relevant sections of the standard are noted in brackets.

1. A reinforcement of the notion of product conformity

2. Compatibility with other standards is evolving

3. A better understanding of outsourced processes

4. An editorial clarification of some requirements – for instance;

A reinforcement of the notion of product conformity2.3.4.

An editorial clarification of some requirements – for instance;A better understanding of outsourced processesCompatibility with other standards is evolving

• (6.4) work environment, including an explanatory note on work environment giving examples,

to help meet product conformity requirements

• (8.2.1) measurement of customer satisfaction, including a note broadening the scope beyond

satisfaction surveys to include other channels such as customer feedback5.

• (Introduction) the notion of risk

• (5.5.2) appointment of a management représentative

• (6.2.2) assessing the effectiveness of achieving compétence

• (8.5.2 et 3) assessing the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions?

Some additional explanations regarding the requirements of the standard;An editorial clarification of some requirements – for instance;A better understanding of outsourced processesCompatibility with other standards is evolvingA reinforcement of the notion of product conformity

Friday, August 19, 2011

Document Review In ISO 9000 Standards

The ISO 9000 Standard requires that documents be reviewed.
Previously the implication was that the review was a
check by potential users that the document was fit
for purpose before it was offered for approval. It
could be construed that for a document to receive
approval it must be checked and therefore ‘review
and approval’ in this context are one and the same
and the requirement is in this instance enhanced
rather than relaxed.
A review is another look at something. Therefore
document review is a task that is carried out at any
time following the issue of a document.
This requirement responds to the Continual Improvement principle.
Reviews may be necessary when:
- Taking remedial action (i.e. Correcting an error)
- Taking corrective action (i.e. Preventing an error recurring)
- Taking preventive action (i.e. Preventing the occurrence of an error)
- Taking maintenance action (i.e. Keeping information current)
- Validating a document for use (i.e. When selecting documents for use in
connection with a project, product, contract or other application)
- Taking improvement action (i.e. Making beneficial change to the
information)
Reviews may be random or periodic. Random reviews are reactive and arise
from an error or a change that is either planned or unplanned. Periodic reviews
are proactive and could be scheduled once each year to review the policies,
processes, products, procedures, specification etc. for continued suitability. In
this way obsolete documents are culled from the system. However, if the
system is being properly maintained there should be no outdated information
available in the user domain. Whenever a new process or a modified process
in installed the redundant elements including documentation and equipment
should be disposed of.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

How To Keep ISO 9001 System?

The dreaded “program-of-the-month” syndrome: Here today, with much sound and fury—and, after a slow, embarrassing fade-away—gone tomorrow.

Your ISO 9001 system won’t fade away as long as top management remains committed to it. Top management will remain committed to it as long as they see that it is returning some sort of benefit. That benefit may take one of two general forms:

1. Current business stays as a result of the ISO 9001 system.

2. New business comes as a result of the ISO 9001 system.

Net result: Organization achieves incremental cost savings as a result of the ISO 9001 system. Since most companies get into ISO 9001 due to customer pressure, the first benefit is the most operative one. The second benefit is speculative. The net result, surprisingly, is genuine—ISO 9001 registrants, with virtually no exception, realize proven cost savings—but, like mating elephants, it is accompanied by much roaring and screaming, and takes two years to see the results.

Top management will stay committed to the system if only to maintain existing business and, hopefully, obtain new business. This requires that the organization remain registered. For the organization to remain registered, it must undergo and pass surveillance assessments, usually every six months. This is probably the most potent of the four reinforcement mechanisms of ISO 9001—the attributes that keep the system from fading away as another program of the month.

The second reinforcement mechanism is the Management Review process required by the Standard. Management reviews require that senior management review the ISO 9001 system from top to bottom—its implementation, its suitability, its effectiveness, its results. Management must do this on a scheduled basis. Records must be kept to prove that it is done. The reviews have the effect of forcing management to pay attention to the system. The reviews are also an educational process for management. Over time, they see how useful the ISO 9001 system can be as a management and communications tool.

The third reinforcement mechanism is the internal audit process required by the Standard. Trained, independent employees audit the entire quality system on a scheduled basis and record the results. Corrective actions must be carried out and verified against deficiencies found during these audits. Internal auditing is not only an outstanding implementation tool. It also keeps the entire organization tuned in to the system and improving it on an ongoing basis.

The fourth reinforcement mechanism—and arguably the most important one—is the measurement and analysis processes required by the Standard. If you do a good job of establishing meaningful process and quality measures—and then gather, analyze, and react to the data on a disciplined basis—you will see how well the system is working for you. Word to the wise: Establish the measures early in the implementation, so you have a set of baseline measures to compare with subsequent results.

Role of Governments in ISO 14001 Standards

Although ISO 14001 is a set of voluntary standards that individual companies may or may not choose to adopt, governments can clearly have a role in providing information, establishing the necessary framework and infrastructure, and, in some cases, helping companies to develop the
basic capabilities to adopt ISO 14001. There are wo particular areas in which government action would be useful:
(a) providing information on he sectors and markets where ISO 14001 certification s a significant issue and assisting sector rganizations to develop appropriate responses, and
(b) helping to establish a certification framework, ased on strengthening national standards organizations and encouraging competitive private sector provision of auditing and certification
services. At present, the World Bank is having discussions with a number of countries about how assistance could be provided with these issues.

Governments should see EMS approaches as part of a broad environmental strategy that includes regulatory systems, appropriate financial incentives, and encouragement of improved industrial performance. Such encouragement can really only be effective where there is cooperation at the government level between the relevant departments, including industry and trade, as well as environment. There is a growing interest in integrating environmental management issues into productivity or competitiveness centers designed to promote SME performance, but little information exists on experience to date.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Integrate ISO 14001 with Existing procedures

Much of what an organization must do in an ISO 14001 EMS is probably already being done. No organization can operate without some environmental programs in place. These programs may need modification to comply with the ISO 14001 standard, but they serve as a good starting point to begin construction of an ISO compliant EMS. In fact, a good way to look at your EMS Manual is to view it as a road map. It will tell people where to find programs the organization uses to handle environmental concerns such as: wastewater systems operational manuals, air permit operating requirements, hazardous wastes handling procedures, materials purchasing requirements, and so forth.
A well-conceived ISO 14001 EMS will use existing environmental programs and procedures as a foundation. It will also include the business management practices of the company wherever possible. An example of this would be tying environmental impacts of raw materials purchases into an existing procedure to review raw materials specifications for engineering requirements and consistency. Many firms already have such procedures in place.
Other types of program integration may include integrating cost accounting practices with environmental operational practices. Many organizations cannot actually determine where their environmental dollars go. As a result, they cannot identify opportunities for financial improvement in environmental practices. Without such information, the environmental management of an organization is difficult. If management cannot see any cost benefit in environmental decision making, the managers usually take the least costly option. Activitybased costing allows a more comprehensive understanding of how environmental expenses are accrued by process and product rather than by facility or region. Then process control and product design can be reviewed to see if costs associated with their environmental impacts can be minimized. This is a good example of what ISO 14001 hopes to accomplish–good financial management leading to better environmental control.

Initial Review Of Gap Analysis In ISO 14001

A fundamental concept of the ISO 14001 EMS Standard is continual improvement of environmental performance. Before you can plan for improvement, you must first determine the current state of the organization’s environmental programs.
The initial review or gap analysis is, in itself, a microcosm of a well-organized approach to the entire ISO 14001 EMS development process. Each specification of the standard must be reviewed, including policy, legal requirements, training, objectives and targets, operational control systems, document control, auditing, management review, and corrective action.
The review should take into account the culture, products, marketing strategies, and other specifics of the organization. In all cases, consideration should be given to the full range of operating conditions, including possible incidents and emergency situations that may be encountered.
The ability of suppliers and subcontractors to comply with the Organization’s EMS program and applicable regulatory requirements should also be evaluated. It is strongly recommended that the initial review consider energy use, financial accounting, and information systems so that these issues may be integrated into the EMS program.
To effectively begin the Initial Review, several things must happen. First, Management should issue a company-wide announcement of intent and endorsement. This should include estimates of the time required to complete the Initial Review, and time required to complete the entire project. Second, the project leader should be identified and vested with ample authority for completion of the project.
The Initial Review is a review of all pertinent documents, from which an accurate plan is designed for the EMS Gap Analysis.
All information from the review, including deviation from regulatory requirements and adverse impacts on the environment, should be identified along with policies, programs, procedures, training and work instructions, and operational controls.
A portion of the project team should begin to assemble a registry of appropriate regulations identified during the Initial Review. All pertinent national, state, local and self-subscribed requirements should be assembled. They should be compared with identified environmental impacts.
An Initial Review is also important in ensuring that EMS design is compatible with all current organizational management structures and operations wherever possible. This is especially important where the EMS interfaces with the site’s existing health and safety, accounting, computer systems, purchasing, energy utilization and other management programs. The focus will be to achieve operational efficiencies that ensure environmental improvements and maximize cost reductions.
Initial Review outputs will be:
· An EMS Gap Analysis Design that details where existing environmental management procedures must be further investigated to determine conformance with the Standard.
· A review of the site’s overall environmental management strengths/weaknesses.
· A schedule of events for the Gap Analysis.
The gap analysis allows for a quick but comprehensive assessment of the facility’s existing environmental management practices and procedures, and compares them
with the requirements of the Standard. To perform the Gap Analysis, a standard template tailored for that specific purpose is used. The template is a questionnaire with a three way scoring system, which develops a final rating of the current programs of the site as they compare with the sections of the Standard. The score from this questionnaire and investigative template identifies which areas of the EMS might be enhanced to improve environmental performance and comply with the Standard.
Based on the results of the Gap Analysis, the project schedule and design may require modifications. Modification should precede further systems development. Using the results of the Gap Analysis, the EMS developmental process can now begin.
This may involve modifying existing procedures, adapting other business procedures such as those designed for health and safety, accounting, or risk management to environmental utilization. At certain points, new procedures will be required.
Prior to embarking on EMS development, always remember that the more flexible your EMS is, the easier it will be to implement and the more flexible it will be in the future.

EMS AUDITING CONCEPTS AND ISO 14000

The Environmental Management System (EMS) audit is based on the generic concept of auditing. Simply put, an audit, any audit, is the comparison of actual conditions to expected conditions, and a determination as to whether one is in conformance or not in conformance. This is the same philosophy used to perform financial, quality, regulatory compliance, and systems audits. It is prudent to first review what the common elements are in order to better understand why audits are different.
There are several definitions of audit components that are common to any type of audit. ISO 14001defines these terms for EMS audits, but they apply in other cases also. As a matter of fact, the ISO committee decided not to create auditing standards for other types of audits, such as compliance audits, although it was originally considered. The main reason for deleting the work items was because the concepts and processes defined in 14011, originally intended for EMS audits, were generic enough to be applied “as is” to other types of audits.
An audit is fundamentally a comparison of audit evidence to audit criteria to determine findings. The evidence is the objective information collected through interviews, visual reconnaissance, and documentation review. The audit criteria are the expectations or “rules” of how conditions should be. It is the criteria that distinguish one audit from the next. For example, in compliance auditing, the criteria are the regulations. With an EMS audit, the criteria would be the description of the expected system elements. In this case, the EMS criteria would be that described in ISO 14001, the specification standard.
When evidence is compared to criteria, one can determine whether the audited entity does or does not conform. This determination is a finding, and a finding can either be one of conformance, or non-conformance. Therefore, an audit will always produce findings, even if what is being audited is in full conformance with criteria.
Other key definitions to be aware of with auditing are: objectives, scope, auditee, client, and auditor. The audit objective(s) is simply why you are conducting an audit; usually the reason is to demonstrate conformance to stated criteria. The audit scope is what entity is being audited, and can be a company, a site, or unit within a site or company.
In the ISO 14000 realm, there is a clear distinction between the auditee and client. The auditee is the entity being audited. The client is the party commissioning the audit. For example, a client can be the customer, and the auditee a supplier to that customer. In ISO 14000, this distinction is important because the client sets the scope, objectives, and plan for an audit, not the auditee, although it is expected the auditee will be involved and cooperate.
The auditor is the one actually collecting evidence and determining findings. The auditor can be comprised of several individuals on a team. There are requirements in ISO 14001 that state that those performing functions within the EMS, such as the auditors, be qualified in their tasks. This means the auditors must have received training in EMS auditing. However, there may be audit team members who do not have the training, but are on the team because of some unique expertise, such as process, language, or regulatory knowledge.