Newsletter

The newsletter of QCS International Management Systems Consultancy and Training - latest news and updates - ISO, audit, certification and more.

Like all ISO standards, ISO9001 undergoes review

every five years and given that the current edition

is ISO9001:2015 there’s a bit of a clue that it’s

overdue for an update. The technical committee

ISO/TC 176 responsible for review confirmed in

2021 that none would be required and that the

standard was thought to be valid, globally relevant

and thought to meet the needs of its users.

Interestingly, here at QCS, we’re looking at likely

changes to standards at the moment and have

identified that ISO 9001 is being amended to

include updates to Clause 4 regarding climate

change. The amendments are expected to be

issued early 2024 but are unlikely to include a

republished, updated standard with an addendum

issued only at this point.

The additional wording is intended to put a

spotlight on climate change and will be

incorporated within ISO 9001:

• Added to Clause 4.1: The organization shall

determine whether climate change is a

relevant issue.

• Added to Clause 4.2: NOTE: Relevant

interested parties can have requirements

related to climate change.

The next edition of ISO9001 is now due end of

2025 – it could and most likely will include

other changes and we’d anticipate a three

year transition phase for certification to a

revised standard.

ISO 9001 and Climate Change

So are we surprised to see ISO 9001 reference climate change? For

most organisations our relationship with environmental

management is a complex one. Are we ‘doing the right thing’ by

attempting to implement an environmental stewardship strategy

aimed at protecting the planet, are we focused on sustainability,

mitigating climate change and achieving net zero carbon

emissions or are we identifying savings against an outlook of

ever-increasing energy costs?

I’d take a guess that for most businesses it’s a ‘yes to all of the

above’. It is complex and as we introduce renewables and other

innovations its becoming even more so. Is it warmer or wetter

where you operate, is MS Teams now preferable as an alternative

to air travel? So having said yes to all of the above how do you

move forward as an organisation. The subtlety different strategic

consideration of climate change in a standard based on risk based

thinking is perhaps not that surprising when contrasted with ISO

14001 and its requirement to identify environmental aspects of

our operations. When used alongside standards such as PAS 2060

and ISO 14064 there’s scope to include issues due to climate

change in our consideration of organisational context and risk whilst using ISO 9001 as a framework to contribute to risk mitigation.

If you don't ask you don't get.....

Way back in the 1930’s Dale Carnegie said in his book ‘How to Win

Friends and Influence People’ ‘be a good listener’ and of course ‘ask

questions the other person will enjoy answering.’

So, when preparing for an audit think of those questions you need

to ask and think about the auditee and how you’d like the

conversation to go. Sounds simple doesn’t it but there are some

simple things you can do to help the conversation go well. Think

about the dynamics of any dialogue, not asking too many questions,

or too few, think about information exchange. Think about

cooperation and your conversational goals, your questions may be

linked to clauses within the standards but it should appear

seamless, make sure the audit interview flows in a way doesn’t

disrupt the information exchange that’s taking place.

We'd love to hear your audit tips, what makes for an effective well structured audit in your eyes?

No Risk Assessment?

A recent survey highlighted by IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety

& Health) noted the absence of risk assessment policy in almost a

third of small to medium companies.

Whatever sector a business operates in whether high risk or relatively

benign (how do we know without a risk assessment?) there is a legal

requirement to protect workers through a process of hazard

identification and risk assessment. The use of a framework for health

& safety management such as ISO45001:2018 supports all elements of

hazard identification and risk assessment (in clause 6.1.2) not to

mention legal compliance.

To find out more about the extent to which ISO45001 can ensure your

risk readiness book a call with one of our consultants. QCS

International can support implementation of a ISO45001 Health &

Safety Management Systems, undertake audits and even help with risk

assessment.

From PDCA to execution - training plans made simple

We often start the new year with a spring in our step and

great plans to set new ambitious training goals. Whilst

developing a training plan for 2024 is a great idea its often

not so easy to execute. As training professionals and CQI IRCA

Approved Training Partners we can assist in identifying the

course that’s right for you by selecting one that will work for

you in any given stage in your professional development.

Using trusted techniques including accelerated learning our

tutors are experienced, practicing consultants and subject

matter experts. Get in touch if you’d like advice on which is the

right course for you.