ISO 9001

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vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21300
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 10:54 am Post subject: ISO 9001

We had planned to undertake ISO 9001 to help us differentiate ourselves in a highly competitive market place. With 5 staff it's essential we remain competitive which is difficult enough in the current climate.

Our local authority was offering 75% grants towards the cost of obtaining ISO 9001 but our application was refused as they thought our business wouldn't be affected without it, whereas it was pretty critical we achieve this standard as tenders are increasingly asking for it.

Swear words!

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34499
Location: Hereford

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 10:56 am Post subject:

Appeal.

Get on the phone, or go in person, with details of tenders you have/will fail because of this certification. Any tender must provide it's marking criteria, and it's cast iron proof it will (or will not, if you're wrong) put you at a disadvantage.

I would advise specifically looking for tenders issued by your local authority requiring it as evidence. Use FOI if required. Happy to do this on your behalf if you wish to remain anonymous.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21300
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 11:01 am Post subject:
Thanks Nick. I've already written back stating our case but your suggestions have a lot of merit and I'll follow them up.

ros

Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 2469
Location: Beds

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 11:01 am Post subject:
What Nick said! get on the 'phone

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34499
Location: Hereford

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 11:05 am Post subject:
Remember, you pay for this authority, and as part of the deal, they have to be accountable in how they make decisions, and be able to defend them. It may be there are too many applicants, and not enough funding, and it's hard luck. But at least try again. Tenders are a very mechanical thing, and a pain, but the mechanics are there, and must be visible and therefore quantifyable.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21300
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 2:29 pm Post subject:

I've just had an email which says

Quote:

We are aware that tendering bodies are
increasingly using ISO accreditation as part of their decision making
process but understand from our enquiries that this has more relevance in
some particular sectors. So that the Grant Panel can consider the matter
further, I would be pleased if you could provide some specific examples of
where you have failed to secure contracts due to the lack of ISO9001 and /
or ISO14001 accrediation.

So it seems it's sector biased leaving others at a disadvantage.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34499
Location: Hereford

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 2:51 pm Post subject:
That's fine, and true. So, we need to find tenders where ISO9001 is part of the scoring process. What is it you do?

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21300
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 3:05 pm Post subject:
We design, build, and host web sites. I'll be going through all the tenders posted on Sell To Wales to gauge what the marking/requirements criteria are but I'm resigned to not spending inordinate amounts of time fighting bureaucratic decisions.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21300
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 3:17 pm Post subject:
Reasoned argument prevails, it's going to be re-submitted to the grant panel at the next session along with additional evidence.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42130
Location: North Devon

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 3:24 pm Post subject:
Well done you. Good luck.

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35931
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 11 3:26 pm Post subject:
Jolly good. Tenacity pays off!

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 11 6:37 am Post subject:
Well done! Fingers crossed.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 12850

Posted: Tue Nov 01, 11 9:48 am Post subject:

I would suggest if you go for ISO9001 you do as much of it as possible. I used to work in the electronics industry and at that time ISO 9000 seemed to cover most of what is now covered by 9000, 9001 and 9004. Any number of companies got a consultant in to do it and ended up with a system that didn't fit and nobody understood.

The company I worked for did it all ourselves and passed first time with a few minor points raised, and when I went off long term sick, the system still worked although I had been doing most of it for some time before.

Best of luck with the grant.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21300
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 12 2:07 pm Post subject:
We attained our ISO 9001 accreditation. It was a worthwhile experience not least to get a documented quality management system in place.

Vanessa

Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 12 2:09 pm Post subject:
Well done!

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