A management system is the way in which an organization manages the interrelated processes of its business in order to achieve its objectives. These objectives can relate to a number of different topics, including product or service quality, operational efficiency, environmental performance, health and safety in the workplace and many more. The implementation and certification of Management Systems Standards, such as Quality Management Systems IS/ISO 9001, Environment Management Systems IS/ISO 1400, Occupational Health and Safety Management System IS/ISO 45001 etc. may assist organizations in reaping a plethora of benefits. This blog highlights the evolution of the activity over the years, the major Management System Certifications offered by BIS and the implementation and certifications process.
The Three Decades of Evolution-
Bureau of Indian Standards initiated Management Systems Certification in the year 1991 with Quality Management System Certification (IS/ISO 9001). Over the years it has gradually expanded its activities to various other Management Systems Certification schemes. With an innovative fusion of process re-engineering, information technology, and manpower planning, BIS has implemented modifications in the Conformity Assessment of Management Systems with a focus on skill, scale, and speed, making them more effective, transparent, and stakeholder-friendly.
Originally published in 1987, ISO 9001 underwent revisions in 1994, 2000, and again in 2008. The latest revision was published in September 2015. In the same spirit, BIS also enhanced its procedures to accommodate the shifting certification requirements. Likewise for other Systems standards also regular amendments and revision done as and when required.
Various reforms have been implemented in this activity to providing better and more efficient services to the stakeholders, these includes- decentralization of activity to regions for increasing the outreach, reforms in fee structure, increased auditors’ empanelment and use of digital technology.
Management System Certification offered by BIS-
BIS operates a diverse range of certification schemes catering to different sectors of the industry. The certification schemes on Quality Management Systems (IS/ISO 9001), Environmental Management Systems (IS/ISO 14001), Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (IS/ISO 45001), Energy management systems (IS/ISO 50001) and Anti-Bribery Management Systems (IS/ ISO 37001) are examples of universally applicable schemes that may be adopted in any government or private sector business.
Apart from these, BIS also offers certification schemes such as the Medical Devices Quality Management Systems (IS/ISO 13458 and IS 23485), Information Security Management Systems (IS/ISO 27001) and Food Safety Management Systems (IS/ISO 22000), Ready Mixed Concrete Certification (IS/ISO 9001 with IS 4926), Education Piped Drinking Water Supply Management Systems (IS 17482), etc. to cater the need of specific industry sectors.
In the year 2021-22, BIS launched hybrid certification scheme such as Conformity Assessment Scheme for Milk and Milk Products (CAS MMP). This scheme was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister with a vision to create a single window for certification for the dairy sector in country.
The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), QCI has also accredited the Quality Management System (QMS), Environmental Management System (EMS), Food Safety Management System (FSMS), Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS), and Energy Management Systems Certification Schemes (EnMS) of BIS.
Getting the certification ready – The Journey of implementing the requirements of the standards and attaining the certification can be divided in three steps
STEP 1
For the effective implementation of any management system in general, the organization can-
I. Nominate a person or form a core group if required responsible for the implementation.
II. Define responsibility & authority at different levels and also determine and provide the required resources.
STEP 2
I. The core group formed need to understand the Key requirements of the implemented management system as prescribed under various clauses of the standard. This understanding can be developed through the self-study of standard or formal training.The Standard can be procured through BIS Website and the formal training can also be provided through National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS) of BIS.
II. Determine gaps and Prepare documentation- The organization need to identify the gaps with respect to their existing processes and standard requirements. After that the organization can prepare various documents against the requirement of the standard including policy & objective, risk assessment, process maps, forms/formats etc.
STEP 3
Implementing the system.
I. Conduct orientation training/awareness for all others. This training can be given by the already trained nodal officer or members of already trained core group.
II. Implement the system.
III. Conduct Internal Audit and take action on audit findings.
IV. Organize Management review.
Certification- After implementing these steps the organization can apply to BIS for getting the certification. Organizations can make application to BIS, on BIS portal. To submit the application, organization need to identify the regional office under whose jurisdiction the premises is located and contact the concerned Management System Co-ordinating Officer. Contact details of these MSCORs can be taken from the BIS website. The concerned regional office processes the application for grant of license. This includes audit of the applicant in two stages named as Stage I and Stage II audits.
These audits are carried out to gain sufficient evidence related to conformity to the management system implemented by the organization. Any NC is observed, the same is discussed with auditee/system coordinator and communicated to the auditee for taking appropriate action with a time frame 45 days as per BIS guidelines/terms.
Once the audit activities are completed, the licence is granted for three years during which there will be two surveillance audits conducted at an internal of one year.
Conclusion-
As Winston Churchill has famously put in – “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” With successive revisions in the management systems standards, BIS has also improved upon its processes and the certifications services. BIS follows a robust certification process utilizing competent and experienced auditors. Over the years as the management system stabilizes, the organization can make use of this management system as a tool to improve the system. BIS, with over 30 years of experience in management system certification, will undoubtedly aid in the certification journey of the organizations .
Mr. Anindya Chakrabarti
Scientist – F & Head (MSCD)
Mr. Lalit Yadav
Scientist- B (MSCD)