Certification of management systems

Transcription

1 Certification of management systems A clear commitment to quality TÜV AUSTRIA CERT

2 Certification of management systems: focus on continuous improvement These days, management systems are even more vital management tools than ever for planning, controlling and monitoring the most crucial company processes. As a result, the certification of management systems has become increasingly important over recent decades in national and international competition. Advantages for the company The aim of a management system is to optimise the company s system of processes and procedures so as to increase efficiency and achieve a repeatable product or service quality. Structures and processes become more transparent and optimisation poten tials become apparent. While documentation was the main issue at first, today it is the effectiveness and efficiency of company processes, legal compliance and the combination of several certification procedures to create integrated management systems. A working management system results in cost reduction through minimising or avoiding errors in the medium term. Certified companies stand out due to transparent internal and external processes as well as measures for ongoing improvement, and are therefore always one step ahead of the competition. A certification is a clear sign to customers, competitors, suppliers and investors that the company applies approved standard procedures. Management systems become an essential success factor when assessed and certified by TÜV AUSTRIA. Regular auditing and clarity about processes and responsibilities increase the staff s sense of responsibility and motivation. Customer relations are improved since certified companies are obliged to establish customer satisfaction regularly. Accordingly, customers of a certified company can rely on their requests being taken seriously. What is a certification? A certificate is the result of a successful assessment by an objective and independent third party, such as the certification body of TÜV AUSTRIA, to confirm that a company meets the requirements of a national or international standard.

3 Integrated management systems The essential advantages The broad and in-depth range of accreditations and the authority of TÜV AUSTRIA enable the combination of various certification procedures to create an integrated management system (IMS). Over the course of time lots of different standards and regulations have emerged. However, isolated examination and certification of these requirements often leads to multi-tracking and increased expenditure within the company. Integrated management systems therefore aim at bringing these different sections (e.g. quality, environmental protection, health and safety protection at the workplace) together again in a uniform structure. Exploitation of synergies and pooling of resources Leaner, more efficient management Integral corporate management concept Customer- and goal-oriented process management system along the value-added chain Competitive advantages through process orientation and image improvement Warranty and product liability provisions Unified documentation No double-tracking More economical production of the management documentation This is enabled and facilitated by the numerous interfaces in the sets of rules and regulations that are used to create an IMS. Group certifications A group or matrix certification is a resource-saving solution for companies with various sites, different locations, branches or subsidiaries. A group can be audited in accordance with one or several standards. It is possible that not each standard applies to each site nor that each site needs to be audited and/or certified according to each standard. In line with applicable regulations, the costs and expenses for group auditing and certification are considerably lower than individual certifications on all sites to be certified.

4 How to obtain a certificate Below you find the steps leading to a successful certification in the area of management systems, from initial contact through to re-certification after the certificate s validity has expired. 1. Consultation At a consultation without obligation and free of charge, TÜV AUSTRIA informs potential customers about the procedure to obtain a certificate. Moreover, the following items are clarified: Aim and benefit of the certification Extent to which the management system is established within the company: can the existing system get certified as is or does it have to be upgraded? Basic requirements for a certification such as a manual, process descriptions, etc. At the same time, the certification body gathers the information necessary to determine the audit effort on site and to create a quotation. 2. Contract When the customer is satisfied with the quotation, the certification body obtains the contract. 3. Pre-audit (optional) On request of the customer a pre-audit can be carried out. However, it is not a necessary requirement for certification. Spot checks serve to reveal possible weak points in the documentation and the system implementation. 4. Certification audit, stage 1 The stage-1 audit serves to determine the company s certification ability. The auditors assess the site-specific conditions, gather necessary information regarding the scope and check the documentation. When no serious flaws are detected and therefore no corrective measures are necessary, the company is ready to start planning stage Certification audit, stage 2 In the course of stage 2, the audit team checks the effectiveness of the implemented management system. This includes carrying out and documenting spot checks in each department/organisational unit concerning all the requirements applying to that department/organisational unit. The investigation and the assessment are based on the respective requirements stipulated in the relevant standards and the company documents. After analysing and evaluating the results, the auditors inform the client about the audit result as well as any possible flaws or deviations in the course of a final meeting.

5 Certification by TÜV AUSTRIA Certification bodies, too, are subject to standards. TÜV AUSTRIA meets the stringent provisions of the International Standard ISO/IEC 17021, specifying the requirements for bodies that audit and certify management systems. Moreover, it lays down exactly how to carry out the certification of a management system. Each certification procedure by TÜV AUSTRIA complies with the requirements of this standard. A hand-picked team of system and specialist auditors guarantee a competent certification that is in line with the requirements of the respective regulations. TÜV AUSTRIA auditors distinguish themselves by a high degree of specialist competency as well as many years In case any deviations have been detected, cor- professional and auditing experience. Continuous rective measures must be determined whose effec- further training and a regular exchange of experience tiveness must be checked again by the audit team. ensure the auditors interpersonal and professional qualification. 6. TÜV AUSTRIA certificate TÜV AUSTRIA auditors are sworn to secrecy and If the certification requirements are met, the certificat- are known for their reliable contract execution. tion body issues a certificate valid for three years. Furthermore, the vast majority of our auditors have a permanent job at TÜV AUSTRIA and can therefore carry out inspections completely objectively and in 7. Monitoring audits The monitoring audit to be carried out annually serves to spot-check the effectiveness of the entire management system, with a focus on management and improvement processes. 8. Re-certification audit Must be carried out before the certificate s validity expires and corresponds to the certification audit, stage 2. When the re-audit has been successful, a new certificate is issued, again valid for three years. adherence to criteria of independence.

6 Certifiable management systems (selection) TÜV AUSTRIA is accredited for a large number of management systems and additionally works on the continuous development of new, up-to-date certification standards. Depending on their business activities, objectives and/or official guidelines, companies may obtain TÜV AUSTRIA certifications according to the following standards, among others: Quality management EN ISO 9001 ISO Verifications by KBA Environmental management EN ISO EMAS validation EFB [Specialist waste disposal] EN or ISO Sustainability reports Health and safety protection OHSAS SCC SCP SA 8000 (Social Accountability) Integrated health management system Risk management ONR IT security ISO Food and hygiene EN ISO IFS BRC IoP HACCP EN EN ISO Transport 39 Railway Act EN ISO IFS Logistics SQAS Health care system KTQ Legionella-proof plant Sector-specific certificates Building cleaners DIN Fire protection management berufundfamilie Tutoring services Quality Management Systems Learning Services for Non-formal Education and Training Necessary permit requirements for vehicle manufacturers Environmental Management Systems Eco-Management and Audit Scheme National Standard for Specialist Waste Disposal Companies according Energy Management Systems GRI Global Reporting Initiative Health and Safety Protection Management Systems Safety Certificate: Contractors Safety Certificate: Temporary Employment Agencies and Intermediaries Corporate Minimum Social Standards TÜV AUSTRIA Standard (Salutogenesis) Risk Management for Organisations and Systems Information Security Management Systems for Food Safety International Featured Standard Packing Standard Risk Management System for Food Companies Textiles Laundry-processed Textiles Bio-contamination Control System Hygiene Management in Food Packaging Production Hygiene Requirements for the Design of Machines Safety Management System for Railway Companies Transport Logistics and Services Public Passenger Transport Safety Management Systems for Supply Chains International Featured Standard Logistic Logistics Services in the Chemical Industry Cooperation for Transparency and Quality in the Health Care System Standard for Drinking Water Plant (ÖNORM B 5019) TÜV AUSTRIA Standard Protection Services Guarding Services TÜV AUSTRIA Standard Mark of Quality by the Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth TÜV AUSTRIA-Standard

7 On the safe side with TÜV AUSTRIA International and national recognition TÜV AUSTRIA has stood for technical safety in the The TÜV AUSTRIA Group is active both nationally and broadest sense for around 140 years. What is more: internationally and is therefore up-to-date with TÜV considers itself as a service provider that issued by TÜV AUSTRIA are recognised in the entire additionally optimises economic efficiency for its European Economic Area and far beyond. For our customers through the optimal employment of customers this means legal security and approval materials and considerate use of resources. by industry, the authorities and the public. Utmost competence for comprehensive service Objectivity guarantees optimal performance! The TÜV AUSTRIA team of experts from various specialist fields are competent partners in all mat- TÜV AUSTRIA is independent and has no ters concerning technical safety as a result of their business relationships or relationships of experience, education and further training. dependence with authorities, industry, com- The broad spectrum of expertise means that the merce, trade, operators or any other parties. range of services can be expanded as a result of many Customer benefits: safety, reliability and a synergy effects with economically attractive overall new dimension of economic efficiency. packages.

8 TRUST IS GOOD, TÜV IS BETTER. TÜV AUSTRIA CERT GMBH Division for Certification of Management Systems Ing. Klaus Mlekus Barichgasse 40-42, 1030 Vienna Tel.: +43 (0) Fax: +43 (0) TÜV AUSTRIA 09/11 Photos: Fotolia (Mindwalker, S. John, WavebreakMediaMicro, arahan, Pixelwolf), istock (sturti), TÜV archive