How Big/How Small - Size limitation on a company being ISO 9001 certified?

[Big Jim]

Call me cynical, but people quickly realize what auditors would like to hear.

I could bet some money this 1-man company had a CONTRACTUAL requirement of being certified, to satisfy a customer. I said this before: Implementing ISO 9001 as a model for a QMS requires a minimum level of structure and discipline, which is VERY HARD to attain in a very small organization.

I know the standard states that it can be implemented, irrespective of the size of the organization. But there is theory and the real world. Sometimes, they are at odds.

I'm tempted to tell you to putt your money where your mouth is, but I don't gamble, even on a sure thing. There was no contractual requirement.

 

[JaneB]

I could bet some money this 1-man company had a CONTRACTUAL requirement of being certified, to satisfy a customer. I said this before: Implementing ISO 9001 as a model for a QMS requires a minimum level of structure and discipline, which is VERY HARD to attain in a very small organization.

I agree that it isn't the norm for a 1-person company to be certified. Apart from anything else, there's an overhead involved, so yes, a 1-person co has to have a pretty strong reason for wanting to get it. I would only do it myself (as a 1-person company) if such a strong reason existed, such as contract condition as you mention, or strong pressure from one or more large clients, or inability to tenderfor /break into some markets without it.

I know the standard states that it can be implemented, irrespective of the size of the organization. But there is theory and the real world. Sometimes, they are at odds.

Well yes.

Bottom line remains though: it can be done for a single person company/organisation.

Whether or not it should be or is a good idea etc is a different matter.

And yes, I think you have a very valid point that the minimum structure / discipline required can be difficult for even medium and large companies, though usually even more so for a 1 or 2 person organisation.

 

[Sidney Vianna]

I'm tempted to tell you to putt your money where your mouth is, but I don't gamble, even on a sure thing. There was no contractual requirement.

Thanks, Jim. As I feel charitable today, I propose the following: if you provide verifiable evidence that this certification was not driven by a contractual requirement, and let us know how this 1-man organization ISO 9001 implementation and certification led to them to performance improvement, and additional business, I will happily donate US$100.00 to the charity of your choice. Also let us know how many employees they (s/he) have now.

I think this would be an excellent testimonial to those very small organizations out there who are not considering ISO 9001 certification to re-consider.

 

[Big Jim]

Thanks, Jim. As I feel charitable today, I propose the following: if you provide verifiable evidence that this certification was not driven by a contractual requirement, and let us know how this 1-man organization ISO 9001 implementation and certification led to them to performance improvement, and additional business, I will happily donate US$100.00 to the charity of your choice. Also let us know how many employees they (s/he) have now.

I think this would be an excellent testimonial to those very small organizations out there who are not considering ISO 9001 certification to re-consider.

You know as well as I that confidentiality agreements would not permit me to do that. I can say that the last time I called on them it was a three person company. I'm sure I'll be visiting them again.

 

[Sidney Vianna]

You know as well as I that confidentiality agreements would not permit me to do that.

Jim, as long as you have their consent, you can disclose the information. Since their experience has been very positive and they implemented ISO 9001 and went for certification for the right reasons, I don't see why they would object to sharing their journey with the rest of the World. People love to provide testimonials. Can you ask?

 

[wooden nickle]

I would think you would have to be a least a two person company, because you can't audit your own work.

 

[Sidney Vianna]

I would think you would have to be a least a two person company, because you can't audit your own work.

You can outsource it, though.

 

[db]

I would think you would have to be a least a two person company, because you can't audit your own work.

There are ways around that. I have a client that is a single person company. His audits are conducted by his landlord (and customer), and he in turn does internal audits for the landlord.

 

[Big Jim]

Jim, as long as you have their consent, you can disclose the information. Since their experience has been very positive and they implemented ISO 9001 and went for certification for the right reasons, I don't see why they would object to sharing their journey with the rest of the World. People love to provide testimonials. Can you ask?

I'll ask him next time I'm there.

 

[JaneB]

No, you do not have to be at least a 2-person company simply because of the need to do internal audits. (Don't you think if that was a minimum requirement, the Standard would stipulate it?)

You can outsource it, though.

There are ways around that. I have a client that is a single person company. His audits are conducted by his landlord (and customer), and he in turn does internal audits for the landlord.

Yes, those are both examples of ways to do it.