Critical Path Achieves ISO 9001

ISO Services

June 13, 2023

At Critical Path, we are continuously reviewing our services to ensure that we are able to offer our customers the very best experience possible. That is why we are very proud to announce that our United Arab Emirates office has achieved ISO 9001 certification. 

Achieving this certification not only cements our commitment to our clients but it also means that we truly practice what we preach by complying with the same standards that we sell. What exactly is ISO 9001 accreditation, though, and what are some of the biggest benefits? We thought we would take a closer look. 

What is ISO 9001:2015?

ISO 9001 is considered the benchmark standard for quality management. It is a vital tool in helping to take your business to the next level, helping to improve your profitability and market potential. The certification clearly sets out the required steps organisations need to take in order to adopt a clear quality management system (QMS). 

A Quality Management System is a formal system that outlines the processes, procedures, and responsibilities required for an organisation to achieve its objectives and quality policies. Implementing a QMS ensures a business can coordinate its activities to ensure that they are meeting all regulatory and customer requirements. 

The standard is designed to help ensure that organisations are able to meet the expectations of their customers as well as all other interested parties. Since its launch, it has become of the most widely utilised management tools in the world, with over a million companies now certified. 

The comprehensive ISO 9001:2015 standard covers a wide range of methodology and information that covers an extensive range of areas, including:

• Requirements for a QMS, including how to plan for one and how to determine process interactions.
• The overall responsibilities of the management team. 
• How you can manage your resources and work environment. 
• How you should design and deliver new products.
• How you can analyse and improve your QMS via regular audits. 

The ISO 9001:2015 standard is based on the seven core principles of customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making, and relationship management. The importance of these seven principles will depend on the organisation, and they can also change over time in response to market influence.

What are the benefits of ISO 9001:2015?

Now we have explored the question, “what is ISO 9001 certification?”, the next question is what are the benefits that it brings? For us here at Critical Path, it is an important milestone in our business and demonstrates our commitment to our clients. However, achieving the ISO 9001 certification can also provide your business with a wide range of benefits, including:

Boost your revenue

A big advantage of the ISO 9001 certification is that it can help your business to boost your income. Organisations can leverage the prestigious reputation of the standard for potential customers, allowing them to stand out from their competitors and win more tenders and contracts. The ISO 9001:2015 standard can also help you to increase retention rates among your existing clients. 

Meet customer expectations

When organisations start looking for new suppliers, having the ISO 9001:2015 standard as part of your pitch proposal will ensure you are able to meet their expectations. For businesses operating within the public sector, then having an ISO 9001 QMS is often an essential requirement. 

Improve customer satisfaction

Another significant advantage of having the ISO 9001:2015 standard is that it can help you to improve your customer satisfaction levels. The standard will help you to truly understand their needs while having strict processes in place will also reduce the risk of errors that can damage client confidence in your abilities. 

Greater efficiency

Being able to implement an ISO 9001:2015 standard quality management system means you are implementing the industry best practices. Alongside helping you to focus on quality, these practices will also help to maximise the efficiency of your team. 

Having your entire team working towards the same goals and agenda will also help to enhance their overall communication and engagement with your business. This will help them to feel a core part of the company, ensuring they are happier and more productive. 

Make better decisions

The ISO 9001:2015 standard is focused on delivering a clear set of practices for your entire team to follow. By following these procedures, you will be able to gain a vast understanding of your operations and can use that information to make more informed decisions. 

Create a culture of development

An ISO 9001:2015 standard quality management system is about creating a systematic approach that helps you to provide the very best experience possible for your customers. This involves regular auditing and reviewing to ensure you are meeting the ever-changing demands of your clients, so adopting the practices for your business will help to create a company-wide culture of development. 

Build better relationships with suppliers

Of course, ISO 9001:2015 is not just about improving your own actions. By incorporating the best practices into your business, you will be able to create more efficient relationships with your supply chain as well as other stakeholders. 

How to achieve ISO 9001 certification

Now we have explored what is ISO 9001 certification and the benefits it brings, the final step is to explore how you can achieve this for your business. To help you, we have taken a look at some of the key steps that you need to consider:

1. Step one - Preparation

The first step to achieving your ISO 9001 certification is to make sure that you are well prepared. The more time you spend in getting yourself ready, the smoother the entire process will be. You will also need to nominate a dedicated person to be the main point of contact throughout the application process. 

2. Step two - Documentation

The next step is to gather all of the required documentation required that showcases your quality policy, quality objectives, scope statement, procedures, work instructions, forms, and process maps. When filling these out, it is important to remember that these need to be adapted to your specific business requirements. 

3. Step three - Implement changes

Implementing the required changes for the ISO 9001 certification requires almost every employee to change how they work. When making these changes, you need to make sure that they are user-friendly and non-bureaucratic; otherwise, you could face challenges in getting buy-in from your team. 

4. Step four - Conduct an internal audit

Once you have been able to implement the required changes, conduct a thorough audit of your company to ensure you are fully compliant with all of the required ISO 9001 criteria. 

5. Step five - Certification audit

The final stage is to undergo a certification audit by an independent auditor. This will review your entire business, and if you have fully complied with the required points, then you will be issued with an ISO 9001 certificate that is valid for three years. 

Are you ready to get your business certified to ISO 9001?

We are incredibly proud that our UAE office has achieved ISO 9001 certification, and if you want to discover how you can get your business certified, our team is here to help you. We pride ourselves on working closely with our clients to help them transform their operations and achieve their objectives. 

Want to learn more about our services and how we can help you? Get in touch with our friendly team today!