Moving from local to international operations is a huge step for companies of any size. However, not only the client base escalates, but operational requirements, too. It’s difficult to comply with multiple regulations across several jurisdictions, but ISO certificates help. ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization.
As the name suggests, it creates international standards for quality and safety for businesses worldwide. Applying for an ISO certification can be a lengthy and costly process, and even though it’s not always legally mandatory, it’s always desirable. After all, it’s an unmistakable sign that a company is, literally, world-class. There are thousands of ISO certificates for every industry branch, but ISO 9001 is one of the most common.
Companies applying for ISO 9001 must prove they employ high-level quality management systems involving well-trained staff and regular internal audits. Indeed, applying companies must have all their ducks in a row, as third-party audits will also be conducted, going through documentation and internal procedures.
In countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, foreign companies that want to establish there must have ISO certificates. It’s vital to remember that ISO certificates aren’t forever; businesses must re-apply for them every three years, enduring new rounds of audits and fees. For small companies, it means paying between USD 10,000 and USD 15,000 per project, plus the daily fees of ISO auditors, which can cost around USD 1,300.
Here are the main industries where ISO 9001 is necessary for going international.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing industries must comply with many safety standards to stamp their brands with an ISO 9001 certificate. Amid the increasing automation of the production line and streamlining of countless processes, companies must ensure no one is getting hurt and that products meet international quality standards.
Still, such certificates aren’t only to show off. Certified companies reap plenty of benefits by reaching such standards. For instance, complying with ISO demands results in a much safer workplace, cost efficiency, high-quality products, and increased client satisfaction and reputation. In short, companies grow bigger and better with them.
Healthcare
Safety is a core concept in the healthcare industry for obvious reasons. For once, mistakes in the production line can cost lives here. So, healthcare companies must go through painstakingly detailed audits of their hospitals, pharmaceutical facilities, emergency services, and ambulances. Additionally, such companies must survive risk assessments for staff and patients, also providing documents to attest to standardized documentation and procedures.
Technology
The tech industry concentrates a lot of power these days, such as critical data from clients and institutions. IT services range from cloud-based solutions to tech support and are vital for countless companies. Indeed, the effects of mishandling data or using faulty security systems can be devastating. That’s why they must be able to provide disaster recovery plans, standardized operations , and transparent documentation.
Engineering
Similarly to healthcare, engineering companies of all branches deal with people’s lives, which means safety and accuracy are mandatory. It’s not enough to perform well; it’s necessary to do so at scale to meet different demands from their clientele. In this context, ISO 9001 shows regulators that they are ahead of potential hazards and have solid protocols in place to prevent errors and mitigate risks.
Construction
It goes without saying that accuracy and safety are also mandatory for construction companies, as the lack of one or another can result in disaster for clients and workers. Besides, external investors are unlikely to chip in a construction company with questionable quality and safety standards. Meanwhile, an ISO-certified company can proudly affirm that its clients and workers are safe and happy and that its projects won’t waste precious resources. In some countries, ISO 9001 is mandatory for foreign companies.
Hospitality
Quality management and standards are also big issues for hospitality businesses like hotels. It can be very challenging to manage documentation and procedures here, with so many variables on the table: frontline workers, management staff, and quality of services, including food and cleaning. There’s a reason why international hotel chains are more reliable: they have to go through this process regularly to survive.
Community Services
Community services is a vast umbrella term, covering everything from volunteering to taxi services to cleaning oceans and rivers for state governments. Above all, it requires a sensible and practical approach to managing issues that affect people’s daily lives. Here, internal audits are more important than ever, as they provide the necessary feedback regarding operations’ quality, efficiency, and real-life impacts.
