There are lots of requirements for this standard, including legal and statutory requirements. But the most important of all is the HACCP Plan (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point). This plan will help the organization identify all the possible hazards found in food processing. Make control measures to help prevent those hazards from entering the food products. Another systems would conducting Mock Recalls, installing Sanitation programs and system that would help ensure food safety.

Knowing a company having certified with this standard made me feel too comfortable with their product. I’ve known quite few companies that are certified with this standard and I pay great respect with them.

To the most, companies need to know what they are dealing with when it comes to ISO Certification. The very first thing that applies is planning. In this stage, companies are now under the state of contriving. Plan what department to certify in and any other internal agreements. Then look for a good Consultant. Some experienced companies don’t hire themselves a Consultant. But for those neophytes, I would suggest in getting one. These consultants will help Companies identify all the requirements needed for the certification. Some even do trainings depending on the internal agreement. Next up would be the most crucial of it all, Documenting. This is the process of implementing all the needed requirements of the standard. Some companies even go for almost 8 long years in documenting just to get their company certified with a single standard. Once all things are ready, here comes the Certification Body to audit the company with regards to their conformance with the ISO Standards. This is the most exciting yet, nerve racking moment when it comes to ISO Certification. Then, pompoms will definitely fly out after hearing the audit results which states that the company passed the audit. But this doesn’t end here. Companies are now in the state of checking or maintaining the Standard. One example of which is conducting an Internal Audit. Then, with the results at hand, Companies will start fixing the problems found at the audit.

Process above is called the PDCA. It is a cycle of Planning, Doing, Checking, Action and goes back to the Planning stage again and so forth. This cycle serves as the very main purpose of ISO Standards, which is to promote Continual Improvement. A non-ending process that helps the organization improve its products and services.

The most basic requirement of this standard is to maintain forms and records. This serves as an objective evidence that the organization have been able to comply their systems in promoting quality products. The proper way of filling up the forms and keeping the records must also be followed and maintained. Another requirement would be having a Quality Manual. This serves as the bible of the company as it contains documents pertaining to quality systems. Also included in the Quality Manual are the organization’s Work Procedures and Instructions.

Most of the companies who are certified in QMS are established companies. Some were being required by their customers and such. In general, with these companies carrying the mark of an ISO Certified Company, they are capable of bringing a very high quality products and services to their valuable customers.

Since we have lots of language, ISO tried to find a way to make their name acceptable worldwide. Even with the factors of language. That is why, ISO which is derived from a greek word “isos” , was formulated. Just to make it standardize.

ISO have lots of systems that promotes the same idea. They do have ISO 9001 Quality Management System which promotes Quality Service and Product. They also have ISO 14001 Environmental Management System which helps the Company take care of their environment. Another standard is the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System which simply push through the safety of food. The last one I’m familiar with is the OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System. This system promotes the safety of every personnel in a certain organization.

Though there are still lots of standards that ISO had, this is what I’m more familiar. They have also a standard that focuses in laboratories. But in general, they all have the same purpose. Help the organization improve its system by simply having it standardized.