Quality management systems (QMS) play a vital role in assisting businesses to better survive and prosper. Quality management systems help you to evaluate and stabilise your performance in terms of cost and quality, as well as keeping the quality of your goods or services consistent within applicable regulations. Do you understand the different QMS standards available today?
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is a quality management system which requires organisations to meet their own requirements, as well as those of customers and regulation boards. Based on the plan-do-check-act methodology, this quality management system supports businesses to establish and implement strategies to deliver the expected results, to monitor and measure these results as well so as to ensure their effectiveness.
QS9000
QS9000 is a quality management system standard developed in America for the automotive industry. This system is predominantly intended to enforce compliance to quality standards by suppliers of various automotive parts and finishing services. By implementing such a quality control management system automotive businesses are able to ensure consistent quality standards for all parts and services according to industry, regulatory bodies and customer requirements.
VDA6
VDA6 is also an automotive industry quality management system, but is more specific to the requirements of the German market and incorporates different levels of certification (6.1, 6.2 and 6.3).
- VDA 6.1 – Standards to ensure the integrity of products and processes for parts manufacturers.
- VDA 6.2 – A quality control management system certification for service providers like car dealerships, ensuring consistent and high quality service to customers.
- VDA 6.3 – This certification is specific to automotive tool and machine manufacturers to ensure the highest standards of reliability and safety for all goods produced.
TS16949
TS16949 is a quality management system specifically designed to define the requirements for automotive suppliers at every tier of the automotive industry’s supply chain. This system combines the requirements of the ISO 9001 standards with numerous automotive specific standards in order to ensure the supply of quality parts into the industry.
Integrated Management System (Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality)
ISO 9001 – refer to Quality Management System
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System
ISO 14001 is widely understood as an environmental management system. The ISO 14001 series is focused less on what is produced and more on how it is produced. In this way it is essentially intended as a quality control management system and standard for processes to ensure that businesses meet their own responsibilities for environmental management and sustainability.
OHSAS 18001 – Occupational Health & Safety Management System
The OHSAS 18001 standard specifies requirements for Occupational Health and Safety Management to enable organisations to develop and implement processes which take into account legal requirements and information about Occupational Health and Safety risks.
As these are all management systems and management processes, there are many overlapping and similar components. The best way to ensure you get the precise certification and/or training necessary for your business is to consult with our professionals at The Insight Company. We have the insight and wisdom in this area, gained from years of experience, and we are ready to assist you in achieving your organisational objectives.
