SPOTLIGHT
ISO 9004 : THE KEY TO SUSTAINED BUSINESS SUCCESS
Why have some organizations been around for hundreds of years while others last only five minutes ? The key is to create success that lasts .
ISO 9004 gives guidance to help companies achieve “ sustained success ” and has just reached a crucial stage in its revision process . ISO 9004 , Quality management – Quality of an organization – Guidance to achieve sustained success , is currently under revision and has just reached Draft International Standard ( DIS ) stage , meaning that interested parties can submit feedback on the draft before its final publication in 2018 .
The standard provides a framework based on a quality management approach , within which an organization can achieve ongoing success through identifying its strengths and weaknesses , and opportunities for improvements or change . It offers guidance for enhancing the overall quality of an organization by improving its maturity level , namely in terms of its strategy , leadership , resources and processes .
Nigel Croft , Chair of ISO / TC 176 / SC 2 , the technical subcommittee in charge of revising the standard , whose
ISO 14080 : STANDARD FOR CLIMATE ACTION FRAMEWORK UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Greenhouse gases ( GHG ) are identified as the principal cause of climate change and managing them is crucial to help us adapt to its consequences .
To address the issue , initiatives are being developed on an international , regional , national and local scale to limit GHG concentrations in the Earth ’ s atmosphere . Future ISO 14080 will help government and industry put together credible , transparent and consistent climate action .
A new International Standard under development is intended to give all organizations involved in climate action a framework for the development of consistent , comparable and improved methodologies in the fight against climate change .
ISO 14080 Greenhouse gas management and related activities – Framework and principles for methodologies on climate actions , will provide guidance on how to create effective mitigation and adaptation activities while giving
secretariat is held by BSI , ISO ’ s member for the UK , said :
“ The new edition of ISO 9004 will build on , and improve the guidance of , the previous 2009 version and will help organizations improve their overall performance by releasing the full potential of their quality management system .
“ While ISO 9001 focuses on providing confidence in the organization ’ s ability to produce consistent , conforming products and services , ISO 9004 aims to provide confidence in the organization itself and its long-term sustained success . It will help organizations identify and balance the needs and expectations of their customers with those of other interested parties in a complex , demanding and everchanging business environment .”
ISO 9004 is specifically not designed for certification , but it does include an enhanced self-assessment tool that helps organizations assess the level of maturity of the various components of their system , as well as identify and prioritize potential areas for improvement . It will help organizations to move to the next level beyond ISO 9001 , by addressing topics such as the alignment and deployment of strategy , policy and objectives within the broader context of the organization ’ s vision , mission , values and culture .
The revised version of ISO 9004 is due to be published in 2018 .
For more information on the DIS stage and how you can contribute to the standard ’ s development , contact your ISO member .
By Clare Naden www . iso . org
stakeholders enhanced access to financial and other resources needed to combat climate change .
The future standard , which is currently at the Draft International Standard ( DIS ) stage , provides a generic framework for the development of climate action methodologies and their review and management over time . It specifies principles for designing a framework and guideline to establish methodologies that take into account prevailing climate change policies as well as the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement . The standard also provides examples of a methodology profile , which can be used for communication with relevant stakeholders to harmonize aggregated actions and encourage the disclosure of climate-related information , including financially relevant information .
ISO 14080 can help non-state actors , initiatives , industry associations and GHG programmes demonstrate that climate action can contribute to a low-carbon society and adaptation strategies with governance .
ISO 14080 will help organizations meet their commitment to the Paris Agreement and global climate action agenda . Publication is expected in 2018 .
By Sandrine Tranchard www . iso . org
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