Get to know ISO : Introduction to The International Organization for Standardization

Quality, safety, and efficiency are crucial factors in all industries. While companies may have their own standards and success metrics, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provide the benchmark for where a company should strive to be.

Overview of the ISO

ISO sets the global standards for industries. These are built around elements such as quality, safety, and efficiency. By following these standards, companies can see improvements with respect to performance, market competitiveness, and customer satisfaction.

Building a foundation for standardization

Since its inception in 1947, ISO has sought to create international standards that promote three pillars: quality, safety, and efficiency. Today, ISO has grown to include entities from over 160 countries  to set dynamic standards and guidelines for industry (Source: ASNI). From IT systems to environmental management, the impact of these standards can be seen across many industries that affect our daily lives.

The importance of setting standards

In a world where consistency in quality are key inputs to success, ISO offer businesses a clear framework to maintain a high-quality in their products and services. By following these guidelines, businesses can identify inefficiencies and manage risk. These aspects not only improve productivity and overall performance at an individual business level, but industry wide.

ISO accreditations: Gamechangers

These standards are, as the name suggests, internationally recognized. This can aid budding businesses that seek to grow in an international market. By adhering to these standards, companies can demonstrate compliance at a global level, facilitating international partnerships. These standards set a common language for quality, safety, and efficiency, enabling industries to meet customer expectations consistently.

Let's hear from a Flex-pert

We asked our Director of Business Development: What are the difference-makers have you seen in the day-to-day operations pre-ISO accreditation vs post?
“Definitely there have been changes, but at this stage the changes are the norm. I think particularly in terms of cybersecurity and end-product quality, we are a lot more aware when it comes to identifying potential risks.”

“It is important to be pragmatic when implementing new software elements. We need to make sure that we are doing good not only for ourselves, but our customers and their interests. They put faith in us when it comes to running operations, and we want to ensure that isn’t taken for granted.”

At FlexManager, our ISO accreditations are achievements that we hold dear. The purpose of this series is for us to share how obtaining our ISO accreditations has contributed to our Flex-pedition to provide the highest standard of quality, security, and efficiency to our customers. Ahead of World Environmental day on Thursday, June 5th we will share our next installation of this series, looking at ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems.

Authored by Gearoid Noone

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