Quality

ISO 9001 – Quality Management: Success Factors and distinctive characteristic

Your organization has enjoyed sustainable success and you know what your customers need. You fulfill your customers’ expectations because you are in control of your processes and know how to ensure quality on a permanent basis. And you draw significant competitive advantages from these success factors and the results gained from them. Now you can show your strengths with a comprehensive, certified quality management system according to ISO 9001. More than one million certified companies worldwide put their faith in this effective tool for corporate control and continuous improvement of their performance capability.

Management principles for your organization

The most important prerequisite of a well-functioning quality management system is your organization’s focus on the “Management Principles” described in ISO 9000:

• customer focus
• leadership
• engagement of people
• process approach
• improvement
• evidence-based decision making
• relationship management.

Your management system will be effective once you have identified and considered the needs of all relevant stakeholders, clearly formulated your corporate objectives, and once the achievement of these objectives is reflected in measurable results – with meaningful key indicators from efficient and transparent processes as the basis.

With a certified management system according to ISO 9001 you avoid errors, instead of correcting them. The quality approach has been securely anchored within your organization, which creates trust and increases your customers’ satisfaction. You are aware of risks and opportunities and clearly structured, transparent corporate processes help to minimize business risk and allow you to react faster to market changes.

The revised version ISO 9001:2015 brings additional benefits: Due to its new structure, harmonized with other management system standards, it can be easily integrated with other management systems and less prescriptive requirements and a risk based approach allow a better adaption to your particular needs and focus on performance.

How it works

As soon as your processes have been identified, recorded and implemented, and the effectiveness of your quality management system has been reviewed in internal audits and the results analyzed in a management review, you are ready for certification. Our planning is customized, and we will coordinate with you based on your individual circumstances, corporate objectives and success factors. Then your organization will undergo the classic DQS certification process: we will assign auditors with excellent knowledge of the standards, as well as many years of experience in the respective business sector.

DQS offers accredited certification services for ISO 9001:2015. Contact us for more information.

IATF 16949:2016 – Quality Management for Automotive Suppliers

The automotive industry with its global activities stands for excellent process quality, continual improvement, and the power of innovation. IATF 16949:2016 is the technical specification for quality management systems applicable to suppliers in this industry sector. It was developed by a joint working group, the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), with the objective of improving both quality capability and the entire certification process throughout the supply chain.

Automotive: A Global Market with Global Opportunities

No matter whether you are a small or medium enterprise or a large conglomerate, or if you seek to gain, maintain or expand market access – an IATF 16949:2016 certificate is your entry ticket to the global automotive supply sector. And irrespective of whether you are a small cog or a big wheel, as a certified company, you improve process capability and reliability throughout the entire value-added chain.

Quality in focus

When it comes to IATF 16949:2016, the approach of an organization to the quality ideal is what matters most. To discover improvements from many different perspectives, to prevent mistakes and to reduce waste are just some of the key words. DQS auditors play an active role in this. Beyond the certainty that the system conforms to the requirements of this technical specification, they convey decisive insights into the maturity level and development potential of your management system.

How it works

Essentially, IATF 16949:2016 is based on the process-oriented ISO 9001. However, the chronological sequence for the certification of a site is precisely mandated by the IATF. For example, Stage 1 of the audit process, the system analysis, must be performed within a specific time frame. The same applies to Stage 2, the closing report and deviation management. Re-certification also requires good time management to ensure continuous validity of the certificate. That is why we exercise utmost care in planning your schedule, and when organizing your transfer audit to DQS.

IATF 16949:2016 complete the standardization of engineering industry standards exclusively by DQS Holding Gmbh.

VDA 6.1 / 6.2 / 6.4 – Quality Management for the Automotive Industry

Cars are complex objects consisting of a multitude of high-value systems, components and parts; the majority of them from the automotive supply industry. In order to ensure the reliability and safety of their vehicles, automotive manufacturers have long required that their suppliers demonstrate recognized proof of their quality capability. In order to standardize these demands, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has been developing the publication series Vol. VDA 6.x since 1996. They build upon an existing quality management system according to ISO 9001. No matter what parts you supply: the continually updated VDA volumes reliably cover all the various specializations. Our auditors and their automotive expertise offer you goal-oriented and value-adding auditing on the basis of internationally recognized quality standards. This is why DQS is the partner of choice for proof of quality based on the VDA volumes.

VDA 6.1 – The VDA Alternative to IATF’S ISO/TS 16949

VDA 6.1 is the correct standard if your company is involved in series production. It delivers the framework for a quality management system specifically suited to the automotive sector, promotes avoidance of mistakes and strengthens reliability and process capability in the value chain of your company. It also contains aspects of the European EFQM model.

VDA 6.2 – For Service Providers

VDA 6.2 is for you if your company offers services, e.g. a car dealership, a forwarding company or an engineering bureau. The requirements of this standard focus not only on the quality of your customer orientation, but also the continuous improvement of your internal services such as development or procurement. There is no international standard comparable to VDA 6.2.

VDA 6.4 – For Production Equipment Suppliers

VDA 6.4 applies to you if you are a manufacturer of production equipment for the automotive industry, for example machinery, facilities, tools, measuring and testing equipment. The standard corresponds in its structure to VDA 6.1, but is tailored to the special requirements of plant and machine manufacturers. There is no international equivalent to VDA 6.4.

How it works

Ideally, auditing according to any of the VDA standards is done on the basis of a certified quality management system according to ISO 9001. In this case, your company undergoes DQS’ classic evaluation process: from system analysis (stage 1) to system audit (stage 2), up to issuance of the certificate and annual surveillance audits. Building on this and depending on the VDA standard chosen, our auditors will conduct a value-adding system audit of all relevant areas of your company. Upon fulfillment of the requirements, you will receive the respective VDA certificate.

EN 9100 – A Series of Standards for the Aerospace Industry

Focusing on the effectiveness of processes

In the past 15 years, IAQG has developed standards that integrate all members of the supply chain into their sector-specific quality ideal. EN 9100 focuses on manufacturers, EN 9110 on maintenance organizations, and EN 9120 on retailers in the aerospace industry. All standards in this series have the same objectives: they focus on requirements of aerospace legislation and empower suppliers to fulfill their customer’s requirements. They also all expect their users to employ an active, continuous improvement process, so as to avoid errors and improve the reliable stability of processes.

To reach these objectives, these management systems include several essential elements. To give an example: there is a strict requirement for risk assessment and first article inspection before the start of any production series. In the case of ongoing production or services, the standards focus on flawless verification management and traceability. Closely related to this are emergency concepts which are activated in case defective products have already been shipped.

How it works

As an independent entity, DQS makes use of the audit to establish that your organization fulfills the requirements of EN 9100, EN 9110 and/or EN 9120. In addition to a simple declaration of conformity, however, our auditors also provide you with essential ideas for improving performance capability. Among other things, they pay particular attention to the effectiveness of processes, as well as to customer expectations. Certified organizations are listed in the online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS) of IAQG. Only this obligatory listing provides evidence of an internationally recognized, accredited certificate and shows that your organization is an active player on the global market.

International Railway Industry Standard (IRIS)

The global growth potential of rail traffic and the distribution of the market among its participants is determined by three factors: Innovation. Safety. Quality. Whether you are a railway operator, manufacturer of railway vehicles or supplier of the railway industry, you’ll find the international IRIS standard to be a valuable support in decisive subject areas: qualification of your company for project and series management for railway vehicle manufacturing, effectiveness and efficiency of your company processes, and continuous development of product and service characteristics. DQS is your partner for the implementation of this standard. In April 2006 – one month after the publication of the standard – we issued the first-ever IRIS certificate worldwide. Since then, we have actively participated in the working group of UNIFE (Association of the European Rail Industry) on the further development of IRIS. Today, we are one of the leading railway certification bodies.

Quality seal for products and business processes

With the development of the IRIS standard, its creators – the Association of the European Rail Industry UNIFE, as well as leading railway manufacturers – have summarized all essential requirements of this sector. First of all, IRIS is characterized by quality management according to ISO 9001. Substantial supplements are, among others, sector-specific criteria such as product-specific safety strategy, type series and project management, reliability, availability and life cycle costs in operation. On the way to certification, a fully developed list of questions on your management system serves as a guideline for internal audits. This ensures that all participants work efficiently and effectively on one task: controlled and capable processes for more safety on railways.

Your ticket from A to Z

The requirements of the railway standard are applicable to the whole supply chain, composed of railway operators, railway manufacturers, and suppliers. IRIS may also be integrated into existing management systems according to ISO 9001, EN 9100 and IS0/TS 16949 as a strategic expansion. During the certification process itself, the considerable technical competence of DQS auditors for integrated management systems contributes significantly to the management and control of an organization.

How it works

For your IRIS certificate, you will go through the classic DQS auditing process from system analysis (stage 1) to system audit (stage 2), to the issuance of the certificate and annual surveillance audits. Audit findings are recorded using special software, the IRIS Audit Tool, and evaluated according to the IRIS-specific maturity model based on ISO 9004. Over several audit cycles, this generates a clear picture of the continuous improvement process which can be made available to potential contractees via UNIFE’s supplier databank www.iris-rail.org for decision-making.

ISO 29990 – Success through Quality in Education

As a provider of education services, your objective is to fulfill the expectations of your customers regarding development of skills and abilities. To this end, your facility’s competence in the conduct of initial and further training is the most decisive factor. ISO 29990 provides an internationally applicable framework for the quality of education service providers. An assessment and certification by DQS according to ISO 29990 continuously demonstrates the quality of your services to all relevant stakeholders – most importantly to the students.

Transparent education services as a competitive advantage

ISO 29990 is designed for all types of education service providers, including colleges and universities, industrial firms offering in-house further training, as well as association-run training institutes. In doing so, the standard emphasizes the single most important asset of any training institution: the learning services themselves. With its focus on the actual learning needs of the target group, the development of suitable content, and the evaluation of learning results, the standard describes a model which is trend-setting because it provides evidence of competence and quality. In addition, the standard, with its requirements for the profitability of an institution, also functions as a valuable tool for management and leadership with respect to important factors like resources, finances and risk.

You continue to systematically develop the quality of education services offered by implementing the standard’s requirements, and you improve your competitive ability through transparent learning services. Certified management systems are also becoming increasingly important when seeking public subsidies for education.

How it works

We will conduct a comprehensive audit of the effectiveness of your management system according to the classic DQS certification process. An assessment by DQS also offers your educational facility additional advantages that go above and beyond a simple confirmation of conformity: the sector experience of our auditors allows them to point out opportunities and risks, to identify potential for improvement, and to give guidance for decision-making processes. For your benefit, we will customize audit planning to suit your objectives, your education services, and your students’ particular circumstances.

ISO 28000 Security Management System for the Supply Chain

ISO 28000 is a security standard for all organizations that are part of a supply chain; starting with production, warehousing, distribution (to include the entire chain of transport by road, rail, sea, or air), all the way through to the recipient. With the implementation of a security management system according to ISO 28000, an organization improves reliability and security throughout the entire chain of supply. High-value merchandise or hazardous goods can be transported around the globe and stored more safely.

The standard is designed for organizations wanting to improve their safety processes in regards to prevention, implementation, traceability, and documentation. Furthermore, a security management system contributes significantly to increasing security awareness on all levels of the organization. Safety standards that have already been implemented (AEO, C-TPAT, TAPA, etc.) can be bundled into one comprehensive system according to ISO 28000. Internationally active organizations thus achieve faster, more cost-effective, and better documented processing of their day-to-day business.

Advantages and opportunities:

• Reduction of theft, vandalism, criminal acts, etc.
• Implementation of appropriate security measures, after an analysis of risk
• Increased security for value-generating processes (e.g. storage processes)
• Bundling of various international security initiatives (ISPS, AEO, TAPA, …)
• Improved customer confidence and less risk of liability