Upgrading the existing QMS to ISO 9001:2008 Standard

Upgrading the existing QMS to ISO 9001:2008 Standard

ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard has been published on 15 November 2008 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Organizations having the ISO 9001:2000 QMS certifications will upgrade their quality management system as per 2008 version. As per implementation plan jointly announced by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF), organizations should upgrade their ISO 9001:2000 QMS to ISO 9001:2008 QMS before 15 November 2010 (within two years from the data of publication of ISO 9001:2008 Standard). However, efforts of many management representatives will be to upgrade their quality management system and obtain certification as per ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard as early as possible.

It’s good to upgrade the system, but how you can do it in an effective manner. The quality management system of your organization should be able to demonstrate continual improvement as well as changes as per new version. Following steps may be useful.

Step 1 – Get acquainted with ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard

Nothing can be done without knowing the changes, so please obtain a copy of ISO 9001:2008 Standard. You can obtain the same from the ISO Central Secretariat or from the sales counter of the National Standards Body in your country. ‘Bureau of Indian Standards’ is the national standards body in India, from which you can obtain the equivalent Indian Standard to ISO 9001:2008 QMS. Read ISO 9001:2008 Standard carefully. You should also refer to other reading materials (such as books, articles) on ISO 9001:2008 QMS.

Start ISO 9001:2008 QMS Awareness Programme in your organization. Members of task force, members of steering committee and people, actively involved in ISO 9001 QMS implementation, should be encouraged to attend ISO 9001:2008 Awareness Programme.

Step 2 – Action Plan

Please prepare an action plan for up-gradation to ISO 9001:2008 from the 2000 version. The action plan should indicate the responsibilities of different departments and personnel and set target dates for completion of activities (such as target dates for completion of documentation, training of internal auditors, internal audit, management review etc.).

Step 3 – Revision of QMS Documentation

A few people should be selected for revision of QMS documentation as per ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard. The Management Representative should be the coordinator of the QMS documentation revision task. Revision in documentation should be done and revised documents should be issued.

Step 4 – Implementation

Implementation should be carried out immediately upon issue of revised documentation as per ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard.

Step 5 – Training of internal auditors

Internal auditors should be aware of ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard, so please provide training to your internal auditors, so that they may be able to carry out value added internal audit as per ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard.

Step 6 – Internal Audit

After implementation as per revised documentation, please carry out internal audit as per ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard. Take corrective action for the nonconformity or nonconformities observed during the internal audit.

Step 7 – Management Review

After conduct of internal audit, carry out management review of the quality management system of your organization as per ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard.

Step 8 – Inform Certification Body

After successfully completing all above steps, you should inform your certification body about the up-gradation of your quality management system as per ISO 9001:2008 QMS Standard, so that they may assess your quality management system and upgrade their certificate.

Support from NCQM Ajmer Centre

You can have following support from NCQM Ajmer Centre for up-gradation of your QMS:
Literatures in Hindi and English on ISO 9001:2008 QMS
Training programmes
Guidance for implementation