ISO certification - whether we're talking about ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or another such standard - doesn't come for free. In order to state that your business is 'ISO certified', not only do you have to dedicate resources to planning and implementing a compliant management system - you also have to pay to get verified by a UKAS-accredited certification body.

But cost varies from one certification body to the next!

When seeking ISO certification, it's important to bear in mind that there is no fixed rate for the service you require. The exact cost of getting certified depends largely on which certification body you use - believe it or not, some are significantly cheaper than others!

How we can help

Here at NPT Management Systems, we have connections to - and close working relationships with - a large number of UKAS-accredited bodies who specialise in ISO certification. We can match any business with a certification body that will offer them optimum value for money, so if you want to save money on your ISO certification costs, here's what to do:

• Email enquiries@nptmanagementsystems.co.uk - let us know the best way to contact you, and we'll respond ASAP to discuss your requirements.
  
  
• We will gather quotes from a variety of UKAS-accredited bodies to find out who can offer you the best service at the lowest price.
  
  
• We will then share our recommendation with you - whether or not you follow our advice is entirely up to you!

This service is completely FREE, so what is there to lose? Get in touch today and find out how much you could save on your ISO certification costs!

Last year, we helped Southern Coating Contractors Ltd to achieve two separate certifications: ISO 9001 and NHSS19A (National Highways Sector Scheme 19A). SCC wanted an ISO 9001-compliant management system that would help them to grow the business, but they also required the HSS19A accreditation in order to carry out work on the UK's road network. As we reported last June, SCC were recommended for both accreditations after a gruelling four-day certification body audit found zero non-conformances.

Of course, the hard work doesn't end with getting certified! Last month, SCC had their first surveillance audit since achieving ISO 9001 / NHSS19A status, and once again, the NPT team were called in to assist the organisation during this process. We're pleased to reveal that the audit went very well, with no non-conformances raised once again.

We would like to offer our congratulations to SCC for this great result and we wish them the best for all future surveillance audits.

Contact NPT Management Systems today - we can help you to achieve the accreditation your organisation needs to succeed.

Why use a quality consultant when you can ask NPT?

We at NPT Management Systems are an experienced team of chartered quality (CQ) professionals with an outstanding track record for client satisfaction. We have helped businesses of all sizes to plan and implement highly effective management systems that improve output and get all members of the company working in harmony.

Hiring a seasoned CQ professional to help you implement your new management system is a great way to ensure that the process goes smoothly with minimal disruption to the day-to-day running of your organisation. Here's what some of our previous clients had to say about the assistance they received from the CQ consultants here at NPT Management Systems:

"NPT offered us a friendly, practical consultancy service to ensure that we remain compliant with our ISO standards for ISO 9001 and ISO 14001."

- Doug L'Estrange, InstaGroup

"NPT's CQ professionals helped us put all the systems and policies in place to achieve ISO 9001 certification. Thank you NPT Management Systems, keep up the good work!"

- Neil Monckton, Gecko Metal Works

"After talking to several consultants, which was extremely time-consuming, we chose NPT Management Systems. After working with them for the last 12 months, we can confidently say that we made the right decision. We now have a quality management system that is used by the whole company on a day-to-day basis, and our staff have the system, tools and training to help us deliver the right products on time to our customers."

- Hadley Smith, Anchor Systems

We can assist with all types of management systems across virtually all industry sectors, including marine, defence, recruitment, sales, manufacturing, engineering, and many others. If you would like to know more about our CQ professionals and how they may be able to help you improve your organisation, please contact NPT Management Systems today.

At present, the recognised standard for occupational health and safety in the UK is BS OHSAS 18001, sometimes referred to as ISO 18001. However, while the British Standard OHSAS 18001 is used internationally, it was not developed by ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) as ISO 9001 and other internationally-recognised standards were.

ISO are currently in the process of developing a new health and safety standard - ISO 45001 - that, when it is published, will replace OHSAS 18001 as the primary international standard for occupational health and safety.

When will ISO 45001 be published?

According to the ISO website, ISO 45001 is currently in the 'Enquiry Stage'. A final draft will move to the 'Approval Stage' in late 2017, and the new standard is currently scheduled for publication in February 2018.

What to expect from ISO 45001

ISO 45001 will provide employers with a framework to:

• Improve worker safety
• Minimise risks and hazards
• Provide a safer working environment

It will take the existing OHSAS 18001 standard into account, but the system will be closer in structure to existing ISO standards like ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

If you need OHSAS 18001 certification for your business, or if you'd like to make sure you're ready for the new ISO 45001 standard, please contact NPT Management Systems for more information.

It all began with a chance meeting one Saturday morning in Netley Abbey. Florist Katie Mawson was walking out of her shop with her hands full of flowers, and she was unable to open the door of her van. Neil Peattie, who happened to be walking past at that moment, simply offered to open the van door for her, but one thing led to another and Katie was soon telling Neil all about how she was preparing for one of her busiest days of the year: Mother's Day. 

Neil listened with interest and offered Katie some advice. Two hours later, with a series of notes written on the back of paper normally used for wrapping flowers, Katie Mawson had been given a crash course in a couple of Lean Tools:

• 5S - A spontaneous and continuous improvement of working environment and working conditions
• 7 Wastes - Identifying unprofitable activity within your organisation

"At first, I was struggling to see how what Neil was telling me could be applied to a florist's shop in Netley Abbey. To be honest, I thought that he was slightly crazy! After walking Neil through a couple of processes such as making a bouquet of flowers, Neil was able to show me how some simple visual management tools could help me - I'm now confident that no time will ever be lost again looking for lost scissors! We'll also be using some of the techniques to help make beautiful bouquets in the most efficient way in the run up to Mother's Day."

- Katie Mawson, Owner of Katie Mawson Floral Design

If you are interested in learning more about Lean techniques and how they could benefit your business, please contact NPT Management Systems today.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a beautiful bouquet of flowers for Mother's Day (Sunday the 26th of March 2017), visit Katie Mawson Floral Design at 30 Station Road, Netley Abbey, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 5AF.

Image Source: facebook.com/KatieMawsonFloralDesign