Q1. Who is an ISO?

ISO – International Organisation for Standards is an international organisation, is an independent non-government organisation, who sets policy, quality controls and standards for improving overall business structure and efficiency.

Q2. What is the ISO standard?

ISO, from time to time issue-specific standards and those who follow it can apply for specific certification. ISO itself does not issue ISO certificates so ISO certified bodies issue certification of the same that Organisation is following such standards in its business operation after audit and review. There are many ISO certified bodies in India.

Q3. What is the benefit of having ISO certification?

Following are a few of the benefits of having ISO certification:

• ISO is an internationally recognised organisation and if you have certification then it creates trust and credibility in eyes of customers and vendors etc.
• ISO sets standards after lots of research and development so by following them you can improve business efficiency.
• For some international and national projects, certain ISO certifications are mandatory.
• ISO standards are easy and universal so implementing the same is very cost-effective in comparison to developing a new SOP for your business.
• The logo of ISO certification like ISO 9001 or ISO 14000 is very known so it increases brand value also.

Q4. What is the type of ISO standards?

Following are a few common types of ISO standards:

S#	Certification	Detail
1	ISO 9001: 2015	Quality Management System
2	OHSAS 18001	Occupational Health & Safety Management System
3	ISO 37001	Anti-bribery management systems
4	ISO 31000	Risk Management
5	ISO 27001	Information Security Management System
6	ISO 10002	Compliant Management System
7	ISO 14001: 2015	Environment Management System
8	ISO 26000	Social Responsibility
9	ISO 28000	Security Management
10	ISO 22008	Food Safety Management
11	SA 8000	Social accountability
12	EnMS EN 16001 ISO 50001	Energy Management
13	SO/IEC 17025	Testing and calibration laboratories
14	SO 13485	Medical devices
15	ISO 639	Language codes
16	ISO 4217	Currency codes
17	ISO 3166	Country codes
18	ISO 8601	Date and time format
19	ISO 20121	Sustainable events
20	SO/IEC 27001	Information security management

Q5. What is the process of ISO certification? The following is the common process for ISO certification:

• Apply for certification to certified bodies for ISO certification.
• A certified body will understand the business through discussion and visits.
• A recommendation plan and offer are made for the organisation.
• After the payment and receive a full plan for implementing standards.
• Implement standards in the organisation.
• Audit and review by the organisation in timely durations.
• If standards are implemented then the issue of standards.

Q6. What is the role of IAF in ISO?

Following are the main characteristics of IAF in ISO:

• ISO only issues standards for business.
• But for that business that implements the standards separate bodies issue certification.
• One of the most popular and reliable global federations which regulate the member accreditation bodies i.e. IAF.
• Certification can be taken from non-IAF accreditation bodies but for some government contracts or other projects, IAF approved certification may be required.

Q7. What are the advantages or disadvantages of Non-IAF ISO?

Advantages of non-IAF ISO:

• Cost – Costing of IAF approved ISO is very high in comparison to Non-iAF approved ISO.
• Process – Since IAF approved bodies follow a complete set process to check ISO implementation than it is lengthy and complicated compared to non-IAF approved bodies.
• Flexibility – Non-ISO approved bodies are more flexible in terms of implementing systems compare to IAF approving ISO.

The disadvantage of non-IAF ISO

• Less credibility – Since IAF is an internationally recognised body every approves of the same.
• Minimum requirement – In some contracts or tenders there is a minimum requirement of IAF approved ISO certification.
• Complete process implementation – Sometimes due to not proper monitoring non-IAF ISO may not implement ISO standards as per the quality required so proper benefit can not be achieved with the implementation of ISO.

Q8. What is ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System?

ISO 9001:2015 is the improvement of ISO 9001:2008 it is Quality Management System which defines policy and standards for risk and control management. ISO 9001:2015 work on PDCA cycle i.e.

• Plan – Set goals and establish a process according to that.
• Do – Execute the process and implement it according to plan.
• Check – Compare the result with Plan and process.
• Act – After checking act according to requirement and improve the process.

And repeat the same process.

Q9. How does ISO 9001:2015 impact the business? What are the major considerations for ISO 9001:2015?

• Risk-Based Thinking – Earlier ISO 9001:2008 was based on preventive measures i.e. an additional process to counter any risk but in ISO 9001:2015 it is shifted to risk-based thinking i.e. each process is revaluated for any failure and its impact with a focus on critical process and hazard analysis with counter measurements.
• Focus on input and output – ISO 9001:2015 basically check controls in the process keeping in mind the input-output process. Whether it is information or product.
• Leadership and commitment – There is more emphasis on the involvement of top management for quality control. The Focus of ISO 9001:2015 is to set processes in coordination with business strategy.