Saudi Arabia is a growing business hub of the Middle East. With the latest business reforms in the country, we see a rise in start-ups in the country. Furthermore, large corporate houses are setting up their base in the region.
ISO Certification is an essential component for every organization to demonstrate their ability to produce quality first products and services. The ISO Certification Standard will enable the companies to transform their current operations model. Also, the business processes will change to adapt to a more quality-oriented and customer-centric approach in the organization.
Scope of ISO Certification in Saudi Arabia
With the changing reforms and business-friendly policies, Saudi Arabia is witnessing a boom in industrial, commercial, and retail growth. Many large and small companies are making Saudi Arabia their headquarters to serve the regional market requirements. Also, it makes them easily reach out to the rest of GCC markets including UAE, Bahrain, and others.
There is a growing demand for quality first products & services across the world. Also, there is a need of transforming business operations in many industrial sectors in the region. ISO Certification is the best way to adapt to the world’s best practices and gain global recognition.
ISO Certifications Available for Companies in Saudi Arabia
In general, the most in-demand Certification standard globally is the ISO 9001:2015 Certification. The Quality Management System Standard provides guidelines to operate the business in a standardized manner. It also provides policies for customer management and ways to enhance customer satisfaction.
Depending on specific business requirements the companies will require ISO Certification Standards to streamline their business operations. The demand for ISO Certification in Saudi Arabia is on a constant rise due to the rapid commercialization and business sector growth in the region. There is a specific requirement for certain ISO Certifications in the region.
For example, an IT Company that stores customer data and develops Cloud-based software applications will require best practices of information security and process management. ISO 27001:2013 Certification will provide guidelines for securing the IT Systems from any information leaks or cyber-attacks.
What are the Steps to Obtain an ISO Certification in Saudi Arabia?
Obtaining ISO Certification in Saudi Arabia is a well-structured process and follows certain steps. It is best to get the assistance of an Expert ISO Consultant before implementing an ISO Certification Standard in an organization.
The ISO Consultant will guide in choosing the right ISO Certification Standard for the company. They consider various factors such as the nature of the business activity, no. of employees, existing business operations, level of customer satisfaction, and more.
Following are the brief steps in obtaining an ISO Certification
1. Choose the right ISO Certification Standard
Choose the right ISO Certification Standard depending on the business requirements. AURION ISO Consultants will assist you in choosing the right ISO Certification by studying your exact business requirements.
2. Choose the ISO Certification Body
ISO Certification Body is an important aspect of the ISO Certification. There are many recognized ISO Certification bodies available in every region that are accredited by ISO.
Hence, for the specific Standard chosen, the issuing authority of the ISO Certificate will be the ISO Certification body. The Certification Body will issue the ISO Certificate after conducting an Audit.
3. Study the Current System
The Quality Team or the Internal Team must conduct a study to identify the current business operations and their shortcomings before getting on with an ISO Certification.
The system must be compatible to apply the ISO Certification Standards and follow the guidelines from the Quality Management System. Also, it will help in providing ample support to the ISO Consultants when onboarding them for the ISO Certification Implementation process.
4. Conduct a Gap Analysis
The ISO Consultants will conduct a Gap Analysis to identify the system vulnerability and will devise the corrective actions. The ISO Certification guidelines must be applied to the current system.
Furthermore, It requires additional investment in changing certain business processes to incorporate the Quality Management System and meet the compliance standards of ISO Certification.
5. Develop a Quality Management System for the Organization.
The QMS system will be based on all the guidelines and policies to implement the ISO 9001:2015 Certification Standard successfully.
The QMS Standard will help organizations to optimize their operations and enhance customer satisfaction. It is recognized globally and will transform organizational operational efficiency significantly.
6. Conduct Internal Audits
Once the QMS is implemented the ISO Consultant will have to conduct an internal audit to ensure the compliance is met in all stages of operation and business functions.
The Internal Audit will identify any non-conformities with the ISO Standard and record the required changes for management approval.
7. Management Review Meeting
After the Internal Audit, the organization will have a management review meeting with the quality team, top-level management, and the ISO Consultant.
The progress of ISO Certification implementation, any non-conformities with the ISO Guidelines, Process changes, etc., will be reviewed and the required corrective actions will be taken by the team.
8. Final Audit and ISO Certification
After the management audit and all changes apply to the Quality Management System, the ISO Certification Body will conduct a final audit on the system.
The QMS system will be checked for compliance with the ISO guidelines and policies and ensure all control points are in place. After the successful audit and review, the ISO Certification body will issue the ISO Certification for the company.
9. Surveillance Audit
ISO Certification is valid for 3 years and after the end of the first year, there will be a surveillance audit. IT is to ensure whether the company is following the ISO guidelines and procedures the right way.
After Surveillance Audit for the second year, the ISO Certification will have a validity of another 3 years for the company. In case of any non-conformities, a re-audit will be conducted and the required changes will be applied to continue with the ISO Certification.
Hence, in a nutshell, the ISO Certification is worth the effort, time, and money spent. IT will enable the company to benefit from the enhanced process optimization and controls along with additional credibility from customers.
To know more about the ISO Certification implementation process and more in Saudi Arabia, connect with our expert ISO Consultants right away!
Contact Us: Aurion ISO Consultants
