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What is an ISO standard?

ISO is the world’s largest standards developing organisation. ISO has published more than 16,500 International Standards, ranging from agriculture and construction, through mechanical engineering, medical devices, to the newest information technology developments. As global business developed, and businesses were trading with partners around the world, so did the demand for international rather than national standards. Initially focusing on manufacturing, the regularly updated standards now comprehend in
 
addition the particular requirements of service businesses.
 
 
 
 
In the 21st century, industry supply chains wield enormous power, and require their suppliers to demonstrate that they have systems and processes in place to ensure efficiency, as well as responsible management of their environment, health and safety, disaster recovery, and information security. International standards provide a common platform, which is recognised and understood by customers internationally. Today, the ISO 9000 family of standards, covering all aspects of quality management and quality assurance, has become the most widely known.
The British Standards Institution is one of the most widely recognised organisations offering standards applicable to all Industries, and The BPF have created an extensive range of standards specifically targeted at the plastics industry with their help.
 
 

 BSI British Standards

How Can Standards Help a Business?

 
Modern businesses look to standards to demonstrate that their products, systems, machinery and devices work well and safely. Whether in manufacturing or the service sector, standards help to define a level of confidence in the organisation’s processes and systems.
 
 
Businesses which are looking for a competitive advantage, or a structure through which to implement efficient working practices, regularly find achieving international standards of significant help. 
Plastics Machinery
 
The first step is to decide whether to manage the process in-house, or to work with an experienced and objective external consultant to achieve the standard. IRCA [International Register Of Certificated Auditors] qualified auditors are recommended, both because they can apply knowledge gained in other sectors, and also their experience means that the process will take less time. It is worth getting fixed price quote to ensure budgets are met. A successful auditor will also be an experienced business person, who understands the practicalities of running a business, and can share international best practice for the benefit of the client company.
 
The process is generally along these lines:
 
  • assess existing procedures
  • identify existing conformances
  • analyse gaps
  • prepare appropriate manuals
  • supply draft for client approval
  • present final manuals
 
Once documentation and manuals are in place, they will be reviewed by an external assessor or industry specific certification body, for certification.
 

International Standards

Some popular international standards that are available to purchse through the BPF.

Quality Management Systems

Environmental Management

Quality Management Systems

Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories

ISO 9001:2008 
Quality Management Systems for the Plastics Sector

ISO 14001 
Environmental Management Systems

ISO 16949:2002  
Quality Management Systems for Automotive Production

ISO 17025:2005  
Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories

Food Safety Management

Information Security Management Systems

Quality Standards for the Aerospace Industry

Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

ISO 22000:2005  
Food Safety Management Systems

ISO 27001 
Information Security Management Systems


AS 9100 
Quality Standards for the Aerospace Industry
 

OHSAS 18001   
Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems