New quality management standard attained in UK

ISO 9001 is a quality management system standard that has been adopted around the world. Rather than simply defining procedures and expectations, ISO 9001 is designed to be a business improvement tool that encourages continuous reviews, streamlining and costs reduction. It helps businesses work effectively; both internally and with other organisations, become resilient and demonstrate their strong corporate governance.

The new requirements place more emphasis on management-lead procedures that are designed to promote continuous improvement. They also encourage the use of risk assessment techniques that highlight potential problems before they arise.

Ian Carr, Drive Lines Managing Director said: “Drive Lines has been ISO 9001 approved since 2002, so have been through the 2000 and 2008 revisions.”

Carr continued: “We see the revisions as a driver for us to review the internal procedures that define our quality standards and service levels and ensure that we continue to offer the highest performance levels to our clients.”

Drive Lines’ internal re-evaluation process was deliberately designed to be rigorous and included a review of their complete quality management system: procedures, audits and assessments. It has led to an improvement in the company’s already high standards of quality and transparency.

Carr concluded: “We think that by taking a positive attitude towards standards and compliance we maximise their benefit to us – and hence our clients.”