Transition Planning for ISO 9001:2015 QMS

Keshav Ram Singhal

Many organizations and professional have questions with regard to transition planning for ISO 9001:2015 QMS and validity of ISO 9001:2008 QMS certification.

International Accreditation Forum (IAF), on 12 January 2015, has issued a IAF Informative Document 'Transition Planning Guidance for ISO 9001:2015 - Issue 1', prepared by IAF Technical Committee in cooperation with ISO/TC 176/SC2/WG 23, and approved by IAF members. The objective of the IAF Informative Document is to provide advice to interested parties (such as organizations, certification bodies, accreditation bodies, training bodies, consultants, etc.) on transition arrangements to be considered before implementing ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard.

The IAF Informative Document has identified activities to be considered by relevant interested parties (such as organizations, certification bodies, accreditation bodies, training bodies, consultants, etc.). The informative document is helpful in increasing the understanding of the context of ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard. Forthcoming ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard will be based on Annex SL of Directives, a high-level structure (HLS). This HLS has standardized sub-clause titles, core text of the standard, common terms and core definitions with an objective to increase compatibility and alignment with other management system standards (such as, ISO 14001 EMS, etc.).

ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard has following changes:
- Adoption of the HLS as set out in Annex SL of ISO Directive
- Adoption of risk based thinking
- Improved understanding and application of the process approach
- Fewer prescribed requirements
- Less emphasis on documentation
- Improved applicability of the requirements to service organizations
- Include requirement to determine the scope (boundaries) of the quality management system
- Emphasis on understanding the organization and its context
- Increased requirements for top management
- Greater emphasis on achieving desired outcomes to enhance and improve customer satisfaction

As per the IAF Informative Document, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the ISO Committee on Conformity Assessment have agreed to a three year transition period from the date of publication of ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard. ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard is expected to be published on any date after 9 September 2015. Please note that International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released ISO/FDIS 9001:2015 for voting to be completed on 9 September 2015 and thereafter ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard will be published

ISO 9001:2008 QMS certifications will be valid during transition period only. After three years from the publication date of ISO 9001:2015 standard, ISO 9001:2008 certifications will not be valid. Accordingly, ISO 9001:2008 QMS certifications issued during the transition period will be valid during the transition period and after three years from the publication date of IS 9001:2015 QMS standard, ISO 9001:2008 QMS certifications will not be valid.

Organization implementing ISO 9001:2008 QMS standard needs to upgrade its quality management system in line with ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard and accordingly the organization should take following actions:
- Conduct initial status survey to identify gaps, which need to be addressed to meet new requirements of ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard
- Prepare an action plan with target dates for implementation of ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard
- Organize appropriate training and awareness programme for people in the organization
- Update the existing quality management system to meet ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard requirements and implement as per ISO 9001:2015 QMS standard
- Conduct internal audit
- Conduct management review
- Contact Certification Body for ISO 9001:2015 Certification (if the organization seeks certification)

The IAF Informative Document also provides guidance to certification and accreditation bodies. This document can be downloaded from the IAF website (iaf.nu).