If you work in manufacturing engineering, you probably encounter ISO standards often. But what are they and why are they important? In this article, we'll explain the basics of ISO standards and how they can benefit your projects and products.
ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization, a global network of experts that develops and publishes voluntary standards for various fields and industries. ISO standards are not laws or regulations, but they are widely accepted and recognized as best practices and benchmarks for quality, safety, performance, and sustainability.
Explaining the ISO standard using an analogy can be helpful to make the concept more relatable. Imagine ISO standards as the “recipe book” for businesses and organizations. Just like a recipe provides a list of ingredients and steps to consistently make a particular dish, ISO standards offer a set of guidelines and best practices to ensure that products, services, and processes meet consistent quality and safety benchmarks.
ISO standards are like rules everyone agrees on for doing things really well. They're like a recipe for making sure stuff is top-notch, whether it's a product, a service, or how a company works. These rules help keep things consistent, safe, and of good quality. It's like having a common playbook that businesses everywhere follow to make sure they're doing things the right way.
Using ISO standards can help you improve your processes, products, and services, as well as meet customer and stakeholder expectations. ISO standards can also help you comply with regulatory requirements, reduce risks and errors, increase efficiency and productivity, and enhance your reputation and credibility. Additionally, ISO standards can facilitate trade and cooperation across countries and regions, as they create a common language and framework for different markets and sectors.
ISO standards are developed by technical committees that consist of experts from various countries, organizations, and sectors. These committees identify the needs and challenges of their field and propose solutions based on consensus and evidence. The draft standards are then reviewed and voted on by the ISO member bodies, which represent the national standards organizations of each country. The final standards are published and updated periodically to reflect the latest developments and innovations.
You can find and use ISO standards by accessing the ISO online catalogue, which contains over 23,000 standards covering almost every aspect of technology and business. You can search by keyword, topic, or number, and download or purchase the standards you need. You can also subscribe to the ISO Update service, which notifies you of new and revised standards. To use ISO standards, you need to understand their scope, structure, and requirements, and apply them to your specific context and objectives. You may also need to undergo audits or assessments to verify your compliance or conformity with the standards.
ISO standards are highly relevant and useful for manufacturing engineering, such as the ISO 9000 series which provides principles and guidelines for quality management systems. This helps to ensure products and services meet customer and regulatory requirements. Additionally, the ISO 14000 series provides a framework and tools for environmental management systems to minimize environmental impact and improve performance. Furthermore, the ISO 31000 series offers best practices and methods for risk management, so risks that may affect objectives can be identified, analyzed, evaluated, and treated. Additionally, the ISO 45000 series provides requirements and guidance for occupational health and safety management systems to protect workers and prevent injuries or illnesses. Finally, the ISO 50000 series provides recommendations and strategies for energy management systems to improve energy efficiency while reducing costs and emissions.
For example, the ISO 9001 standard, which focuses on quality management systems, can be likened to a recipe for baking a cake. The standard provides the essential “ingredients” (like leadership commitment and customer focus) and the “method” (like processes for continual improvement) to ensure that every time you “bake the cake” (or deliver a product/service), it meets a high standard of quality, much like a consistently delicious cake.
If you want to learn more about ISO standards, the ISO website offers a wealth of information and resources. The ISO Academy provides e-learning courses, webinars, and workshops on various topics and aspects of ISO standards. The ISO Store sells ISO standards, publications, and tools, such as handbooks, checklists, and software. ISO Focus is a magazine that features articles, interviews, and case studies on the latest trends and issues related to ISO standards. Additionally, there is a section that provides news and updates on the activities and events of ISO and its members. Understanding and using ISO standards can be beneficial for manufacturing engineering as they can help enhance quality, performance, competitiveness, sustainability, and development.