Biowood Recycling
Adding ISO standards to an existing system
ISO CONSULTANTS CASE STUDIES
ISO Certificate Required:
ISO 9001, Quality Management
ISO Certification in Recycling: A Transformative Journey
Explore our journey to ISO Certification with Biowood Recycling where strategic decisions and adept guidance converge to elevate standards in recycling. Discover how ISO Certification safeguards competitiveness and brings tangible improvements to our day-to-day operations, strengthening our commitment to excellence.
What was the key driver in seeking ISO Certification?
We work closely with a major multi-national and are aware that their other suppliers hold ISO Certification. We needed it to safeguard our competitive edge. Also, as a marketing tool, it’s powerful – it shows that we operate up to an internationally agreed standard, a vital differentiator in our industry, recycling, where compliance is not optional.
Why didn’t you attempt to do the work in-house and via readily-obtainable templates?
We already held ISO 9001, but the quality management system was becoming increasingly less-relevant to our daily operations. My key area of focus is compliance and as recycling activities are closely-regulated by The Environment Agency, this was an area where we needed the help of an experienced professional. It was time to make a fresh start, building on what we had, but creating something bespoke to our daily business activities. This couldn’t be achieved by filling in a few generic templates.
What was the biggest challenge to you and your team during the process?
As I mentioned, we already held ISO 9001. However, the key challenge was taking the best bits from that and transforming something generic to a genuinely bespoke system that was accessible and encouraged buy-in (hence compliance!). This was going to be an interesting experience! The old system had been neglected, had a puzzling structure and had not reflected the changes in our business. It was clearly generic and didn’t address how we worked. Furthermore, it was packed full of jargon and needed translating from consultant-speak into laypersons terms. Thereby providing a system that all could understand and use. Colin Brown of ISO Consultants was able to make the difficult and remote, simple and accessible.
What surprised you the most about the whole experience?
Continuing from what I’ve said just said, it was a delight to find how the standard and its needs could be simplified, but without compromising its effectiveness! Colin Brown was skilled at translation and application, along with being very patient with us!
How did the actual audit process go? How did Colin help?
It was a two-day process, but relatively uneventful, as the Quality Management System had been designed carefully. The assessor looked quite deeply into our business, but only a couple of minor changes were required to achieve certification.
How has certification improved your real-life day-to-day business activities?
It has added a structure and accessibility to our previous good practice. For example, as part of the QMS, I’m currently involved with an audit of both customer and suppliers in respect of their required accreditations. This has created a database within the company which is proving extremely useful, as well as ensuring compliance with the Environment Agency requirements. Furthermore, it’s strengthened not only customer relations but our own status and credibility in the market.