Integrating ISO 14001 into QS-9000 w T/E or ISO 9001

[db]

Color Differentiation

Although differentiating EMS stuff with QMS stuff by color works well, you really don’t have to distinguish them. The only real reason to do so is for auditing purposes. Other than that, just have one system. If anyone has any other reason for differentiation (other than our consultant or registrar said so) let us know.

 

[Dean P.]

ONE system

Dave,

We did exactly that. No differentiation between the systems, just a set of procedures and work instructions for the business. For example, we don't issue 'environmental' or 'quality' prcedures, we issue documents that describe how to work in the Paint department, or molding, or quality. We didn't want to convey to the employees that we had separate systems, just one set of procedures on how we are supposed to operate. This will then allow us to combine our audits down the road, as well. It's worked out pretty well so far. Next we will bring H&S into the system.

We also try not to reference QS9000 or ISO14001, we try to maintain that we are doing this for the environment and the quality of our product. Once we reference a standard, it can then become an excuse ("we only have to do that because QS9000 says so").

I think the only reason you may want to separate the systems is if you had a really weak quality system in place that wouldn't address all of your EMS needs. However, your goal should then be to use your ISO14001 system to help strengthen your weaknesses in QS9000. Integrate and create 'business system'.

 

[db]

Excellent!!!

Excellent Dean! Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[Randy]

Hey there Dean! I'm going to use your way of doing integration into a seminar I do for one of the major ISO training providers. The course is specifically about integrating management systems and new ideas are always a value plus for the folks that take it.

 

[kp2001]

I was really impressed their system and their ability to combine them, too, Randy! So much so, in fact, that when Management sent me down to Brasil to check out our Head Office and 3 plants, I begged for a divert on the trip home to Chile (stating it was 'just a mountain range away')...I'm an Engineer...not a Geography major!

Having seen their system in place, I was most impressed! They have gone above and beyond the call of the ISO 9002 Standard, having won a Chilean Quality Award (comparable to Baldridge) recently and are competing for the South American one this year. They were also recently voted the 4th best place to work in Chile. For those of you reading this thinking "That doesn't mean much", this is a steel mill and they came behind Microsoft, HP, and Compaq (before they merged, obviously). For a steel mill to be in the top 5 with high tech firms, coming in 4th is rather impressive.

They are very proud of their system and rightfully so! Thanks to my hop over the Andes, I've made some wonderful contacts at our Chilean sister plant. My counterpart and I are working together as we both transition practically simultaneously to ISO 9001:2000. And as my plant is going for ISO 14001:1996, I've been working on ways, with Chile's help, to merge the EMS into our existing QMS programme to create a Business Management System. So far...so good!

How did that intergration end up working out for you? I am working for a manufacturing company that is kicking around the idea of becoming ISO 14001 certified and I am interested to see how the integration with our ISO 9001 would go.

 

[RoxaneB]

How did that intergration end up working out for you? I am working for a manufacturing company that is kicking around the idea of becoming ISO 14001 certified and I am interested to see how the integration with our ISO 9001 would go.

I'd say the integration worked out quite well. In fact, we also incorporated our H&S management system into what became our BMS (Business Management System), as well as our own internal company requirements and Sarbanes-Oxely requirements.

There are core concepts that were pretty much identical through all standards. Those became the foundation of our BMS. It ensured that document control was document control, no matter if you were in Operations or Finance or Human Resources. The steps to resolve a nonconformance were identical, no matter if you Environment or Quality or Safety or Shipping or Receiving.

It wasn't always an easy process to integrate, but we did it. And I believe we came out it with a stronger understandings of the requirements, our company and how the two interrelate.