ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification
 
I. INTRODUCTION TO ISO 9001
 
ISO 9001 is an international standard specifying the requirements for an organization or enterprise's Quality Management System (QMS). This standard ensures that products and services meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders while facilitating the smooth flow of products and goods in both domestic and international trade. Since its first introduction in 1987, ISO 9001 has become the most widely adopted standard worldwide, with nearly 1,000,000 certified organizations and enterprises (ISO Survey of Certifications – 2023). Implementing ISO 9001 not only improves management effectiveness and product and service quality but also builds strong trust among customers and partners.
 
The ISO 9000 family of quality management system standards comprises a set of standards, with ISO 9001 as the main standard outlining requirements for applying and certifying a quality management system. Other important standards include:
ISO 9000 - Fundamentals and vocabulary: This standard provides a unified understanding of terminology and concepts in quality management.
ISO 9004 - Guidance to achieve sustained success: Offers guidance on achieving sustained success through an effective quality management approach.
ISO 19011 - Guidelines for auditing management systems: Includes the principles, processes, and methods necessary for conducting internal audits.
 
Since its initial release in 1987, ISO 9001 has undergone several revisions to align with advances in technology and the global market's evolving demands:
ISO 9001:1987 - The first version, focusing on production process control, primarily based on U.S. military standards (MIL-Q-9858A), NATO's AQAP-1, and the British industrial standard BS 5750.
ISO 9001:1994 - An update with a stronger focus on process control and quality improvement but still oriented toward implementing documented procedures.
ISO 9001:2000 - A significant shift from process control to quality management, emphasizing process management, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.
ISO 9001:2008 - This version mainly refined existing requirements for clarity and ease of use, with no substantial changes to content.
ISO 9001:2015 - The current version features a new structure for easier integration with other management systems like ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. It also emphasizes risk-based thinking, leadership, and more effective improvement to meet growing business demands.
 
ISO 9001:2015 requirements include:
4. Context of the organization: Understanding and managing internal and external factors that can influence quality objectives, including stakeholder requirements.
5. Leadership: Leadership plays a crucial role in commitment, direction-setting, and promoting a quality culture within the organization, ensuring that the quality management system is integrated into organizational processes.
6. Planning: Identify and address risks and opportunities, set clear quality objectives, and plan changes as necessary to meet these objectives.
7. Support: Ensure adequate resources, including personnel, infrastructure, and work environment. Documentation systems, knowledge management, and communication must support processes.
8. Operation: Manage and control production and service delivery processes to meet customer requirements, including quality control, reviewing, and confirming product requirements, as well as monitoring and inspecting products.
9. Performance Evaluation: Monitoring, measuring, analyzing, and evaluating the effectiveness and suitability of the quality management system, including conducting internal audits and management reviews.
10. Improvement: Regular actions to improve the quality management system, including handling nonconformities and taking corrective actions to prevent recurrence.  
Benefits of Applying and Certifying ISO 9001:
- Standardized Work Methods: ISO 9001 provides a management framework that standardizes work processes, ensuring all employees work effectively and correctly from the start, reducing errors and improving quality.
- Risk Management and Error Prevention: ISO 9001 helps businesses control risks through scientific, lawful procedures, work instructions, and forms, enabling the detection and prevention of issues that may affect product and service quality.
- Clear Responsibility Assignment: The standard requires specific role and responsibility identification for each individual and department, enhancing self-discipline and accountability, gradually improving work quality and effectiveness.
- Leadership Support for Control and Decision-Making: QMS allows leaders to control the entire process and work processing time, providing timely directives and aligning quality activities with the organization’s strategic direction.
- Professional Work Environment: ISO 9001 contributes to a scientific, civilized, and professional work environment, fostering customer service spirit and quality culture. Additionally, it encourages knowledge and skill-sharing among employees, enhancing overall organizational effectiveness.
- Minimizing Errors and Process Variability: Implementing ISO 9001 helps businesses minimize errors and variability in production and service delivery processes, ensuring stable product and service quality and enhancing market reputation.
 
II. CERTIFICATION PROCESS
 
1. Certification registration: To obtain ISO 9001:2015 certification, organizations need to contact GIC Vietnam for registration guidance. Organizations then complete the application and submit it to GIC Vietnam with the required certification documents.
 
2. Audit program and auditor assignment: GIC Vietnam develops an assessment program, clearly defining the activities needed to confirm that the organization’s quality management system (QMS) meets certification requirements. Auditors are selected based on expertise relevant to the assessment field, with additional technical auditors added as necessary.
 
3. Assessment process: Conducted in two stages:
 
Stage 1: Review documentation, conditions, scope, and the organization's readiness for stage 2 assessment.
Stage 2: Evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the management system, including the following steps: Opening Meeting → Department/Unit Evaluation → Assessment Report Preparation → Closing Meeting.
 
4. Assessment report and corrective actions: The organization must implement corrective actions for errors and deficiencies found during the assessment, ensuring all requirements are fully met.
 
5. Review and certification issuance: The Certification Council reviews the assessment records to decide on certification approval or denial. ISO 9001:2015 certification is issued once the organization fully meets the requirements and is valid for three years, with periodic monitoring required to maintain validity.
 
III. GIC CERTIFICATION BENEFITS
 
- International recognition: GIC is a globally recognized certification body, endorsed by prestigious organizations such as CPSC (USA), UKAS (UK), JAS-ANZ (Australia - New Zealand), SAAS (SAI), VICAS (Vietnam), SAC (Singapore), CNAS (China), and others. GIC certification offers national and international credibility, recognized by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC), helping businesses expand markets and increase global reputation.
 
- High-quality certification service with competitive cost: GIC Vietnam provides certification services to strict European and North American standards, ensuring that the business’s products and services meet international requirements. Alongside excellent service quality, GIC offers competitive, reasonable costs, helping businesses optimize expenses while achieving international recognition, facilitating participation in major markets and sustainable development.
 
For ISO 9001 certification inquiries, please contact:
 
GIC VIETNAM
12F, 14 Lang Ha Building, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Tel: 024.6275 2268, Fax: 024.6275 2269, Email: tuandm@gicvn.vn
Ho Chi Minh City Office: R502, 160 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Tel: 028.39307936