Page 1 of 6 I. PURPOSE & SCOPE: This chapter outlines the scope and coverage of Quality Management System in APSSDCL, to undertake production, processing and marketing of agricultural seeds, its processes, QMS Documentation and controls over documents & records. II. POLICY 1. SCOPE, COVERAGE AND BASIS OF AT APSSDC 1.1 Quality Management System of APSSDCL as defined under this Quality Manual covers production, processing, storing and marketing, transportation and distribution of seeds of different crops. 1.2 The Quality Management System at APSSDCL has been designed in line with ISO 9001:2008. All elements and sub-elements of the standard are covered under the QMS of APSSDCL as a whole except - Clause 7.3 on Design and Development is not applicable as Design and Development work is not undertaken at APSSDCL. - Clause 7.5.2 on Process Validation is not applicable as there is no such process available where the resulting output of the processes can not be verified by subsequent monitoring/ inspections / checks. - Clause 7.5.4 on Customer property is not applicable as all the property / machinery/ infrastructure is the property of APSSDCL. 1.3 The activities of Head Office and all District Units are covered in the scope of certification Production, Processing, Marketing and Storage of seeds. 2. PROCESSES (Clause 4.1 of ISO 9001: 2008) 2.1 Various processes covered under Quality Management System (QMS) of APSSDC have been determined, their sequence and interactions have
Page 2 of 6 been identified and, based on the same process, flow Chart of overall operations of APSSDC has been laid out as depicted in Annexure A. 2.2 The criteria and methods needed to ensure the effective operation and control of various processes shall be established and documented wherever necessary in various Quality System Procedures / Quality Plans. 2.3 Necessary resources and information required to support the operation and monitoring of these processes shall be provided and are regularly reviewed, upgraded as necessary. 2.4 It shall be ensured that processes are monitored, measured (where applicable) and analyzed at appropriate levels for smooth operations, fulfillment of their laid down criteria and to meet customer requirements. 2.5 Continual improvement is an important part of QMS at APSSDCL, and it shall be achieved through improvement of resources, processes and systems along with customer focus. 2.6 The processes which utilize external services eg. Production of seeds through farmers, custom processing plants, hiring of storage space from external agencies, marketing of seeds through PACS, Department, DCMS and dealers etc. shall be subjected to prescribed system to ensure effective control. 3. DOCUMENTATION (Clause 4.2.1 of ISO 9001: 2008) 3.1 The QMS at APSSDCL shall be documented through the following levels of documents : a) Quality Manual b) Quality Policy, Quality Objectives with Deployment Plans
Page 3 of 6 c) Quality System Procedures as per Annexure B d) Additional documents determined for effective planning, operation and control of processes; (i) internal documents such as Circular, Check Lists, Record Formats, Guidelines, Work Instructions etc. (ii) external documents such as Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards(MSCS), International Seed Testing Association(ISTA) Manual, IS / ISO standards, Applicable Legal / Statutory Requirements, etc. e) Records as required under QMS 4. QUALITY MANUAL (Clause 4.2.2 of ISO 9001: 2008) 4.1 The Quality Manual has been established to provide an outline of Quality Management System at APSSDCL and covers the following : a) Introduction to APSSDCL and its services; b) Scope, Coverage & Basis of Quality Management System at APSSDCL for production, processing, marketing, storage and distribution & transportation of agricultural seeds. c) List of Quality System Procedures and Quality Plans of APSSDCL; d) Role of Management in effective implementation of Quality Management System at APSSDCL; e) Resource Management; f) Outline of Service Realization Processes at APSSDCL; and g) Measurement, Analysis and Improvement of QMS at APSSDCL 5. CONTROL OF DOCUMENTS (Clause 4.2.3 of ISO 9001: 2008) 5.1 MR along with other Heads of Divisions & District Managers heading various functional areas at Head Office and Districts Units respectively
Page 4 of 6 shall be responsible for control of all documents in line with a documented procedure on the subject. 5.2 All documents of internal origin shall be reviewed for their accuracy and adequacy prior to issue by specified authorities as given in the relevant procedure. 5.3 Document control mechanism shall ensure that: a) The relevant versions of applicable documents shall be available at all locations where operations, essential for effective functioning of quality management system, are performed. b) All documents shall be legible and identifiable. c) Obsolete/non operational documents shall be promptly removed from all points of issue or use. d) Any obsolete document(s) maintained for archival / future reference purpose shall be identified by stamping accordingly & appropriately stored. 5.4 Documents shall be revised and updated as per the organisational needs. Any changes to the documents of internal origin shall be reviewed and approved by the authority responsible for approval. For external documents, changes shall be based on the changes made by the agencies responsible for their issue. Necessary controls to ensure availability of external documents at pertinent locations, as per the need shall also be in place. 5.5 In case of changes in document, the nature of change(s) shall be identified and indicated. 5.6 Data available on electronic media shall be kept secured and under control for its pre determined access 6. CONTROL OF RECORDS (Clause 4.2.4 of ISO 9001: 2008) 6.1 The responsibilities to control the records shall be as per the documented procedures on the subject.
Page 5 of 6 6.2 Records shall be established to provide evidence of conformity to requirements and effective operation of Quality Management System as identified under various Quality System Procedures & Quality Plans. 6.3 Generation of the record shall be ensured as per the requirements. Records generated shall be maintained legibly and identifiably. They shall be collected, compiled, maintained, properly indexed and filed as necessary. Adequate facilities shall be provided to maintain safe condition, custody of records in such a manner that they are easily retrievable and are prevented from damage, deterioration or loss. 6.4 Minimum retention of records shall be as per instructions issued vide Circular No:SSDC/Admn./2011, dt:04.02.2011 by APSSDC. It shall be ensured that records are not disposed off before the minimum retention period and, whenever disposed off, it is done as per the laid down procedure.
Page 6 of 6 7. References: 1. Process Flow Charts of APSSDC -- Annexure-A 2. List of Quality System Procedures -- Annexure-B 3. Procedure for Document Control 4. Procedure for Control of Records