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certification

how much?

Costs vary greatly!
Certification costs vary greatly and are dependent on the size and complexity of your organisation, the type and number of management systems and the number of sites.

As an example, a company of around 50 employees at one site, with relatively simple processes, say importing and wholesaling in machine parts seeking certification to ISO 9001 would expect to invest around AU$5,000 for the initial certification. They would then need to make a provision for a further AU$3,000 per annum there after for ongoing surveillance type audits for 3 years. This is then followed by a re-certification audit of AU$3,000~AU$5,000 to finish the triennial cycle.

The cost escalates appreciably if you have multiple sites and multiple risk systems such as ISO 14001 and / or AS 4801. There are no economies of scale and this is mostly attributed (or so say the certification bodies themselves) to the limitations placed on them by JAS-ANZ. As an example one of the largest certifiers for one of our clients (20 people) received a quotation for certifying a combined ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and AS4801, the price, and remember 20 employees on one site, was over $17,000 just to get certified! So be careful and make sure you are comparing 'apples -v- apples' when going to a competitive tender.
But is it really that expensive?

Well it's not if you are trying to get and / or maintain government contracts or trying to enhance either your unique selling points or value proposition! It is positively cheap if your are putting the system in to gain reductions in waste or increases in productivity. Remember, if you are putting in a system and or getting it certified just to maintain a sales advantage, put the costs in your marketing budget and calculate a return on investment. However, at the end of the day, no matter why you want your management system certified, you need, in fact deserve, the best possible service and price.

To get a fee proposal for the certification of your quality management system, click certification proposal request.

e-learning

the quality manual

An extract from the standard itself concerning 'the quality manual' is;
4.2.2 Quality manual
The organisation has established and will maintain a quality manual that includes
a) the scope of the quality management system, including details of and justification for any exclusions
b) the documented procedures established for the quality management system, or reference to them, and
c) a description of the interaction between the processes of the quality management system.

This does not mean that you have to have a stand alone 'manual' neatly packaging the standard and or the organisations system. It can be a collection of documents, manuals, policies, etc. Some certification bodies 'require' you to have a stand alone document called a quality manual addressing each element of the standard. There are pros and cons of this exercise but it largely up to you to decide if it is a requirement for you. The key issues behind this element is the justification of exclusions. Some will do this in management review minutes, some in defined capabilities statements others in the ubiquitous quality manual. I recommend the latter so that it readily retrievable during a certification audit. I also recommend that you take the referencing option with point b). I would also team it up with a cross reference table so that the correlation between the standard and your quality management system is apparent. And lastly, a 'desription' of the interaction beetween processes does NOT mean you have to have a process flow chart or a swim lane diagram or any form of schematic. Although these are most often used to keep the certifiers at bay, so long as you are comfortable with the description, so should your system and certifier.

Each e-learning article can be accessed on our blog. Click here. If you are a Quality Club member, there is also a number of videos on the topic. Register here.

client in focus

Taylor Group Construction

Taylor Construction Group is committed to ensuring the long term objectives of its clients are met and consistently delivers construction solutions that meet individual needs. Long term client relationships are testament to the way Taylor Construction Group conducts business, where adding value is paramount and executing outstanding delivery is the norm.

Taylor Construction Group was established by Mark Taylor in 1995. Mark saw the need for a relationship-based construction company that could provide clients with a holistic building experience. It is committed to its relationships with clients, staff, industry partners and the community.

The company has enjoyed steady growth. It has developed a reputation for excellence in construction and service provision, as well as financial and industrial stability. Taylor Construction Group sets the benchmark high. The need to exceed accepted levels of industry excellence has fuelled the company's growth and positioned it as one of New South Wales' most respected construction groups.

not too serious

be careful with your love life...

One Sunday morning George burst into the living room and said, "Dad! Mum! I have some great news for you! I am getting married to the most beautiful girl in town. She lives a block away and her name is Susan. After dinner, George's dad took him aside, "Son, I have to talk with you." "Look at your mother, George. She and I have been married 30 years, she's a wonderful wife and mother, but, she has never offered much excitement in the bedroom, so I used to fool around with women a lot. Susan is actually your half sister, and I'm afraid you can't marry her." George was broken-hearted. After eight months he eventually started dating girls again. A year later he came home and very proudly announced, "Dianne said yes! We're getting married in June." Again his father insisted on another private conversation and broke the sad news. "Dianne is your half sister too, George. I'm awfully sorry about this." George was livid! He finally decided to go to his mother with the news his father had shared. "Dad has done so much harm. I guess I'm never going to get married," he complained. "Every time I fall in love, dad tells me the girl is my half sister." "Hehehe," his mother chuckled, shaking her head, "don't pay any attention to what he says. He's not really your father."