Quality Management Systems

What is CARES Quality Management System Certification to
BS EN ISO 9001?

BS EN ISO 9001 is a "common sense" set of guidelines to improve business processes and put basic management controls in place within a formal documented system. It can be applied to any business of any size and of course may therefore to any company within the reinforced concrete sector. In CARES terms, this type of certification is available where a product standard does not exist and where Product Certification is unsuitable.

CARES Quality Management System Certification ensures that certificated firms have:

• a basic management system for quality which covers key areas of business
• self imposed disciplines, rules, targets and standards

Why is it needed?

From a manufacturers perspective, how it is perceived and by whom it is known, is clearly of crucial importance to its success. A reputation for quality and the ability to reflect this in its corporate image has long been recognised as one of the most powerful weapons in any organisations armoury. Certification to ISO 9001 from a respected and credible certification body helps to improve this image. Other reasons are:

• improves consistency of products
• provides a competitive pressure
• enhances the existing system
• is good business practice
• can be a very good marketing tool
• provides external recognition of a manufacturers Quality Management System

From a product purchasers perspective, ISO9001 certification has received a bad press over the years, especially when linked to an expectation of product compliance. This concern has been justified, as this type of certification has often been provided by certification bodies which do not have expertise in a particular product, process or supply chain. CARES will only provide such certification in areas in which it has such expertise. CARES provides a testing audit in any circumstance and its approved firms have commented many times that CARES audits are technically challenging and are appropriate to their business and products/services.

It should be noted that CARES will not normally provide quality management system certification in relation to a product for which there is a CARES product certification scheme. It is felt that this would have the potential to mislead buyers.

Why does operating a management system for quality to ISO9001 constitute good business practice?

A quality management system provides for:

• Documented procedures (How do we ..... ?)
• The setting of standards (What is acceptable?)
• Direction, Objectives and Targets (Which way shall we proceed?)
• Internal analysis via audits (Are we doing what we think we are doing?)
• The basis for constructive action (Do we need to do something?)

How do you achieve certification?

Firms wishing to achieve certification must operate in accordance with a documented quality management system that satisfies the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001.

Firms that wish to embark on the path to quality management systems can contact CARES to obtain some guidance on how to proceed.

The assessment procedure commences with a detailed review of the Quality Manual against the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001. Providing the Quality Manual meets the requirements of BS EN ISO 9001, an assessment of the firms system is carried out. The assessment team may comprise one or more auditors depending upon the size and complexity of the firm's activities. After a successful assessment and the payment of fees a Certificate of Approval will be issued.

Why choose CARES?

Achieving BS EN ISO 9001 certification requires considerable effort and commitment from a company. It is often the beginning of improved process and business performance.

CARES provides free marketing support to promote successful certification and allows a certificated firm to display the relevant CARES "quality mark" on publicity and stationery.

All Approved companies are automatically included in the CARES Approved Firms section of this website.

Having invested so much in a Quality Management System, please entrust an assessment to a Certification Body that understands the product, process and supply chain.