Cloud-Hosted Document Control and Management Systems

After considerable discussions and meetings, both here and in Italy, we are delighted to announce the partnership of Consind E.A. Srl and PS Rowe Associates in developing and implementing the QSA.net cloud-hosted document management system throughout the United Kingdom. 

Our technical lead, Paul, visited Consind at their offices in Sorronno to finalise agreements to be an exclusive partner.

Consind are a long established ISO consultancy in Italy, and like ourselves take pride in the fact that the QSA.net system has been designed by them specifically to meet the requirements of the new ISO 9001-2015 and the ISO 14001-2015 standards. This is important because they have a in-depth, working knowledge and understanding of both Standards.

The new ISO 9001:2015 Quality Assurance Standard

The new version follows a new, higher level structure to make it easier to use in conjunction with other Management System Standards, with increased importance given to risk. 

The new Standard is less prescriptive than its predecessor ISO 9001:2008, focusing instead on performance. This is achieved by combining the process approach with risk-based thinking, and employing the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle at all levels in the organisation.

  • Modified Senior Management principles
  • Better aligned to service organisations
  • Risk based thinking introduced
  • Emphasis on leadership
  • Fewer requirements for documented procedures
  • More emphasis on process outputs

The revised Standard aligns itself in a common structure, with the same terms and definitions as a number of other revised Management System Standards such as ISO 9014:2015 plus the new ISO 45001 Health & Safety Standard (not yet published). This makes them easier, cheaper and quicker for those companies with Integrated Management Systems

Organisations have a three-year transition period from September 2015 to comply with the new edition of the Standard. After this transition period, those that opt for third party certification will have to seek certification to the new version of the Standard. The ISO 9001:2008, and any certification to it, will be out of date. 

Organisations seeking certification for the first time will be required to comply with the new Standard unless already undergoing a verified programme to comply with the 9001:2008 Standard.

The new ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Standard

The new ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Standard

The main changes from the ISO 14001:2015 Standard involve:

  • Increased prominence of environmental management within the organisation's Policies and its environmental planning 
  • Greater focus on leadership
  • Seeking to initiate proactive actions to protect the environment from harm and degradation, such as use of sustainable resources
  • Consideration of the effect of the organisation’s activities adding to climate change
  • Improving environmental performance by further reducing its impacts
  • Lifecycle thinking when considering environmental aspects
  • Addition of a communications strategy

The revised Standard aligns itself in a common structure, with the same terms and definitions as a number of other revised Management System Standards such as ISO 9001:2015 plus the new ISO 45001 Health & Safety Standard (this will replace OHSAS 18001 but is currently not yet published). This makes them easier to integrate for those with companies with separated Management Systems.

Organisations have a three-year transition period from September 2015 to comply with the new edition of the Standard. After this transition period, those that opt for third party certification will have to seek certification to the new version of the Standard. The ISO 14001:2004, and any certification to it, will be out of date. 

Organisations seeking certification for the first time will be required to comply with the new Standard unless already undergoing a verified programme to comply with the 14001:2004 Standard.

 

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