Can a specific division of an ISO 9001 company be exempted?

[nismo887]

Hello,

My company is ISO 9001 registered for the manufacture of a specific product, but also has a division that produces an entirely different product under a different name, though it's technically the same company. Is this second division then required to use the quality program too? ISO controls are not needed in the second division, and I would think that since this division falls outside of the registration scope that it would not need to use the quality program. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[DannyK]

Re: Can a specific division of a ISO company be exempted?

Hello,

My company is ISO 9001 registered for the manufacture of a specific product, but also has a division that produces an entirely different product under a different name, though it's technically the same company. Is this second division then required to use the quality program too? ISO controls are not needed in the second division, and I would think that since this division falls outside of the registration scope that it would not need to use the quality program. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Your registration is for a specific scope. You do not need to apply the ISO 9001 system to the second division.

Please be sure that the registrar and auditor are aware of the situation.

 

[insect warfare]

Re: Can a specific division of a ISO company be exempted?

I would say no. It is not a requirement. But it is a requirement that you define your scope of management for certification purposes, as I'm sure you're aware....

Have you discussed this subject with your top management and weighed the benefits/consequences of not adding this second division to your certification scope? Top management may require this themselves (or not) based on certain factors such as readiness, pressure from customers and stakeholders, etc. Your CB auditor can also give you some guidance on how to proceed, so you have a couple of avenues there.

Brian

 

[nismo887]

Re: Can a specific division of a ISO company be exempted?

Thanks!

I assumed that was the case, as the scope of registration does not include the second division. They also operate in a different facility in the building, so their activities are completely separate.

The goal is to eventually bring them under the same ISO program, but I wanted to get some additional opinions for the interim.

 

[dsheaffe]

Re: Can a specific division of a ISO company be exempted?

Completely agree with all the other posters. The only other comment I would make - is make sure that you don't inadvertently imply that the second division is 9001 certified. (eg, using the ISO certification on printed materials that refers to the second division, stating on the company web site that you are 9001 certified - without making it clear what divisions it refers to, etc).

We are in a similar position where some company locations are certified and others aren't and we always need to be careful when it comes to 'advertising' our 9001 certification

 

[nismo887]

Re: Can a specific division of a ISO company be exempted?

Completely agree with all the other posters. The only other comment I would make - is make sure that you don't inadvertently imply that the second division is 9001 certified. (eg, using the ISO certification on printed materials that refers to the second division, stating on the company web site that you are 9001 certified - without making it clear what divisions it refers to, etc).

We are in a similar position where some company locations are certified and others aren't and we always need to be careful when it comes to 'advertising' our 9001 certification

Yes, definitely. The two division have wholly different identities, websites, and do not share much other than being the same company.

 

[Colin]

In addition to the replies so far, you also need to be careful with the use of the certification body logo. For example, if you share headed paper and you use the logo on the paper. You must not imply certification by having the logo on paperwork used by the unregistered part of the organisation.