Deutsch: Zertifizierung / Español: Certificación / Português: Certificação / Français: Certification / Italiano: Certificazione
In the context of quality management, certification refers to the formal recognition provided by an external, accredited body that an organization’s quality management system meets specific standards. This certification assures stakeholders that the organization adheres to established quality processes and practices, aiming to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Description
Certification in quality management is typically associated with meeting the criteria of international standards such as ISO 9001, which focuses on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction within a quality management system. The process involves an external audit by an accredited certification body who assesses the organization’s processes and procedures to ensure they comply with the relevant standards.
Special Details
The certification process includes several critical steps:
- Initial Assessment: An auditor reviews the organization’s quality management documentation and practices.
- Compliance Audit: A thorough inspection of processes, employee roles, and quality controls to verify alignment with the standards.
- Issue of Certification: If the organization meets all the necessary criteria, a certificate is issued, which is valid for a specific period, typically three years.
- Surveillance Audits: Periodic audits are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with the quality management standards.
Application Areas
- Manufacturing: Ensuring products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.
- Healthcare: Providing assurance that patient care meets predefined safety and quality standards.
- Technology and IT Services: Ensuring software and technology services meet customer and regulatory requirements.
Well-Known Examples
- ISO 9001: The most widely recognized quality management system certification globally, applicable across all industries.
- ISO 13485: Specific to the design and manufacture of medical devices.
- ISO/IEC 27001: Pertaining to information security management systems.
Weblinks
- maritime-glossary.com: 'Certification' in the maritime-glossary.com
- industrie-lexikon.de: 'Zertifizierung' in the industrie-lexikon.de (German)
- architektur-lexikon.de: 'Zertifizierung' in the architektur-lexikon.de (German)
- top500.de: 'Certification' in the glossary of the top500.de
- environment-database.eu: 'Certification' in the glossary of the environment-database.eu
- umweltdatenbank.de: 'Zertifizierung' im Lexikon der umweltdatenbank.de (German)
- psychology-lexicon.com: 'Certification' in the psychology-lexicon.com
- travel-glossary.com: 'Certification' in the travel-glossary.com
Summary
Certification is a crucial element in quality management, offering credibility and confidence to customers and stakeholders that an organization is committed to maintaining quality. It helps businesses compete effectively in global markets, enhances customer trust, and drives continuous improvement.
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