ISO is what? International Organization for Standardization

ISO is an international non-governmental organization, which began its existence in 1947. Its purpose is to develop international standards for goods and services. Let us consider in detail this institution - the organization itself, the necessity of existence - and study the issues that it deals with.

ISO is what kind of organization?

Today, it includes 157 members who are representatives of different countries (one of each). Russia joined the Council (structural subdivision managing the organization) in 2007.

The scope of ISO applies to all areas, except electronics and electrical engineering, which are the responsibility of the International Electrotechnical Commission. Some works are also performed in a joint mode.

Structure

ISO consists of governing bodies and workers.

The first are the following bodies.

1. General Assembly. It consists of officials, as well as delegates who are appointed by committees.
2. The Council organizes work between sessions of the General Assembly. He can direct questions to committees and instruct them to solve them. Decisions are made by a majority vote of all persons present. In the subordination of this body are 7 committees.
3. Technical management office.

The following structural units are the working bodies.

1. Technical committees. Among them: PLACO is a technical bureau that prepares proposals for planning the work of ISO. STACO studies the scientific principles of standardization and helps information to the Council, developing the requirements of international standards. KASKO assesses the conformity of products and services, studies the practice on this issue and analyzes it. DEVKO provides assistance to developing countries, developing recommendations for standardization. KOPOLKO - Committee for Consumer Protection, is studying the possibility of facilitating it, by introducing the institution of standardization. REMCO, as a committee on standard samples, provides the organization with methodological assistance.
2. Subcommittees.
3. Technical advisory groups.

Standards

Since ISO exists, the standards of an international organization for standardization have been developed. To date, nearly 14,000 samples have been published that are compatible with different technologies and production processes. This applies to traditional industries (agriculture, construction, consumer goods, medical equipment and others), and the newest industries (digital coding, high-tech information and the like).

ISO standards are developments dictated by the development of the market. When there is a need, representatives of any industry apply for the development of an appropriate standard. After approval, the application is submitted to the technical committee for further work. It includes representatives of the industry who have expressed a desire to develop a standard. After its approval, the project is submitted for discussion, and then finally adopted by vote.

The most common standards are ISO 9000 and ISO 14000. Both can be used in different organizations, regardless of what activity they are engaged in.

Standard 9000 and 14000

For example, ISO 9000 is the standard that regulates quality management. To get it into production, introduce appropriate technologies and management procedures aimed at meeting the needs, as well as ensuring the receipt of quality goods and services.

ISO 14000 refers to the standard for monitoring the safety of the environment. It is necessary to minimize the harmful impact on the environment and work to increase the technically safe production.

What are these standards based on?

It should be understood that none of the above standards is a guarantee of quality and safety. They only encourage the organization to implement such a management system, which would ensure the optimal quality and ensure the best security.

When considering the ISO 9000 standard, certain quality management principles are revealed. Leaders have the right to apply them to select the optimal system in the enterprise. Let's study them.

Principles

№ 1. Focus on the consumer. At the same time, the organization seeks to understand the needs of its customers and try every way to satisfy them in such a way as to even surpass expectations. To this end:

• Research needs;
• Adjust the strategy;
• Introduce an optimal system for communicating information about the needs to all employees of the company;
• Study customer satisfaction with the product;
• Establish a system of relations with customers;
• Try to come to a balance between consumers and others.

№ 2. Leaders organize the setting of goals and objectives, provide all opportunities for their achievement. For this, the head:

• Takes into account the interests of all employees;
• Sees the future of the organization;
• Sets goals and objectives;
• Provides a trusted atmosphere in the company;
• Provides the necessary resources for the training;
• Is responsible;
• Stimulates employees.

No. 3. Attraction of staff. People are what all activities are built upon. If employees are involved in the affairs of the company, then it develops much more dynamically, and employees more open their abilities. For this purpose, in accordance with international standards, conditions are provided under which:

• Employees are aware of their contribution in the performance of duties;
• Understand all the limitations;
• Are responsible;
• Try to improve their qualifications;
• Share their experience and knowledge;
• Discuss pressing problems.

№ 4. The approach to the working process in the company tries to establish in such a way that the main thing becomes precisely the matter. For this, the following conditions are provided:

• The activities necessary to achieve the result are determined;
• Accounting for the functioning and responsibility of employees;
• Attention is paid to those circumstances that affect the main activities;
• Consequences are estimated.

№ 5. Management approach. Optimum efficiency in this case is achieved through a systemic nature. To do this, the company does the following:

• Works on structural issues;
• Improves intrasystemic interdependence;
• Fairly distributes responsibility;
• Conducts executive order from the very beginning to the end;
• Improves working mechanisms, evaluating activities.

No. 6. Actions aimed at continuous improvement are as follows:

• Constantly improve the quality of the product or service;
• To conduct educational work with the staff;
• Improve the characteristics and work on this each link of the company;
• Evaluate the steps received;
• To allocate results.

№ 7. The actual approach. This principle provides for the following steps:

• Verification of information;
• Ensuring its accessibility;
• analysis;
• Making decisions and actions on its basis.

8. Mutually beneficial relations. In this case, you need the following:

• Setting a balance between short-term and long-term goals;
• Pooling resources;
• Identifying and working with key partners;
• information exchange;
• Building joint plans.

ISO 9000 was developed in 1994. It consists of the series 9001, 9002, 9003. And later they were added with 9001: 2000 and 9004: 2000. To date, there are sixteen standards, of which companies choose the most suitable for them.

Necessity of organization

Certification is mandatory and voluntary. The quality management system is a rather complex process, and it is not necessary for all companies. These international valuation standards are suitable for companies that seek:

• Improve the quality of the product;
• To bring to an optimal level the management system;
• Systematize this guide;
• Improve the image;
• To gain advantages from competitors;
• Facilitate licensing;
• Involve serious partners in business;
• Receive orders from foreign companies.

Preparation for certification

The managerial process must be brought under established international standards. Assessments of the existing system are sometimes enough, and there is no need to introduce a new one. It's enough to work on structural changes. For some organizations, a thorough restructuring is required, and for others - only making some changes. The system is built in accordance with specific tasks. In companies, the reforms are conducted independently or are invited for this by consulting organizations.

The stages in implementing management standards are as follows.

1. Setting goals.
2. Identification of expectations.
3. Study of standards.
4. The choice of one of them.
5. Diagnosis of the management system.
6. Identify the processes that affect the supply of products to consumers.
7. Development of planned works.
8. Their embodiment in life.
9. Evaluation of the system is independent.
10. Carrying out an audit to obtain an ISO certificate.
11. Continued improvement of the management system.

Authorities conducting certification

It is necessary to understand that ISO does not conduct test work and does not issue an ISO certificate. She is developing samples. Accredited organizations conduct all relevant procedures for their verification to international quality standards. This is done in the country where the company is of commercial interest.

GOST and ISO

The basis for mandatory certification in Russia is the GOST standards. ISO, as mentioned above, is the basis for voluntary certification. However, for the harmonization of technical regulation , a system focused on international standards was created. GOST ISO is chosen by those companies that are oriented not only to the domestic domestic market, but also to the external one. Some believe that it is this approach that forms a more correct position in commercial organizations.