ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification

In today’s world, quality is not just a characteristic of a product or service; it is the key to customer and client trust, successful participation in tenders, and stable business development. Certification of a quality management system ensures constant control over the quality of work performed (services rendered). Quality management certification according to ISO 9001 confirms that the organization’s system is established according to international quality management standards.

Which organizations need a QMS certificate?

The following areas can be identified where a QMS certificate is particularly relevant:

construction organizations: for participation in tenders, ensuring quality and safety of facilities.
manufacturing enterprises: companies producing goods, to ensure stable quality and compliance with standards.
IT companies and software developers: to standardize development, testing, and software support processes.
companies providing services: logistics, educational, medical, and other service organizations, to standardize service quality.
exporting companies: to facilitate entry into international markets and confirm compliance with international standards.
small and medium-sized businesses: although QMS certification may seem burdensome and costly for them, it allows them to compete with larger players by demonstrating a serious approach to the quality of work/services.

Ultimately, although a QMS certificate is rarely legally mandatory in itself (most often it is a business or market requirement), its presence is almost always a significant advantage and in some cases – a necessary condition for successful development.

What are the types of QMS certificates?

There are several main types of quality management certification, with the main differences being in the standards applied and the purpose of their further use (scope of application).

The most common types of certificates are:

ISO 9001 Certificate:
The most universal and widely recognized QMS standard in the world, establishing requirements for the functioning of a quality management system that help to continuously improve your processes.
Industry-specific:
These standards and certificates are based on ISO 9001 but are supplemented with specific requirements for particular industries. For example, ISO 13485 – QMS for manufacturers of medical devices.
National QMS standard certificates (in addition to or instead of ISO 9001):
For example, STB ISO 9001 is in effect in Belarus. In essence, the system according to STB ISO 9001 is a local adaptation of the ISO 9001 quality system.
Environmental management system certificates (ISO 14001):
Although this is not directly a QMS certificate, it is often integrated with ISO 9001.
Occupational health and safety management system certificates (ISO 45001):
Similar to ISO 14001, often integrated with ISO 9001, establishes requirements for the occupational health and safety management system in production.

For what period is an ISO 9001 certificate issued?

An ISO 9001 certificate is issued for 3 years. However, it is important to understand that this period does not mean that the company can forget about the system for three years. The process is as follows:

Initial certification: after a successful certification audit, the company receives a certificate valid for 3 years.
Surveillance audits (inspection control): during the three years, the certifying body conducts inspection control. These checks are necessary to confirm that the quality management system has been successfully implemented and continues to function and be maintained in working order.

Please note that if the company does not conduct a surveillance audit, the validity of the certificate may be suspended or cancelled.

Recertification: after three years (before the expiration of the current certificate), the company must undergo a full audit. This audit confirms that the QMS is not only maintained but also continuously improved. Upon successful completion of the audit, a new certificate is issued for another 3 years.

Is a quality management system certificate needed for construction organizations?

Currently, a QMS certificate according to ISO 9001 is not a mandatory requirement for construction organizations to operate, but it allows them to:

confirm the quality of work performed to counterparties;
participate as a participant in public procurement procedures;
enhance the company’s image when working with foreign clients.

We note that for participation in public procurement procedures in the field of design and construction, customers often establish qualification requirements including the presence of a quality management system certificate STB ISO 9001. In most cases, the presence of international certificates is insufficient for customers to participate in procurement procedures.