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Before everyone says no, think about something...
In the US, most of the handbooks I have seen can be interchanged between companies, as they basically reiterate the ISO Norm, as well they should. The actual procedures to fulfill the requirements of ISO/Handbook elements are written in work procedures.
If the handbook serves to identify ISO requirements for all personnel in all relevant departments, then the handbook basically says what ISO says. This is important, since some departments may be tasked to develop procedures and need to know the specifics of ISO and not just the procedure for that requirement as written in a work procedure. A case in point might be the project management for the creation of organic lab procedures which will be added to the current inorganic lab's certificate.
Therefore the Handbook mirrors the ISO requirements.
Next, regarding administration of a QMS, once an acceptable control for certain activities have been identified, documented, implemented, controlled for effectiveness ( both internaly and by external certification auditors ), it is a fair bet that the practice documented in those procedures can be used in other companies so long as the other companies agree to accept the documented procedure and support forms.
In other words, if an effective internal audit program is identified, it should be able to be implemented in another firm without much modification. The internal audit procedures and support forms would simply be accepted or mildly modified to suit the new comapmy.
Therefore, it stands to reason that a generic QMS is possible, where customers simply add their specific technical procedures to the generic system that consists of a handbook and administrative procedures.
I know of course, it is not quite so simple since objectives need to be established, policy written, etc. But the basic requirement for this is in the handbook... and maybe procedure.
Generally speaking, this idea is currently employed in Europe. A consultant creates a system, gets the system certified with the first customer by an external certification company, and then the consultant starts looking for other companies that will adopt the handbook and administrative procedures. Each company simply adds their technical procedures and individual forms as part of the generic system to get certified.
Please... what is your opinion of this practice?
In the US, most of the handbooks I have seen can be interchanged between companies, as they basically reiterate the ISO Norm, as well they should. The actual procedures to fulfill the requirements of ISO/Handbook elements are written in work procedures.
If the handbook serves to identify ISO requirements for all personnel in all relevant departments, then the handbook basically says what ISO says. This is important, since some departments may be tasked to develop procedures and need to know the specifics of ISO and not just the procedure for that requirement as written in a work procedure. A case in point might be the project management for the creation of organic lab procedures which will be added to the current inorganic lab's certificate.
Therefore the Handbook mirrors the ISO requirements.
Next, regarding administration of a QMS, once an acceptable control for certain activities have been identified, documented, implemented, controlled for effectiveness ( both internaly and by external certification auditors ), it is a fair bet that the practice documented in those procedures can be used in other companies so long as the other companies agree to accept the documented procedure and support forms.
In other words, if an effective internal audit program is identified, it should be able to be implemented in another firm without much modification. The internal audit procedures and support forms would simply be accepted or mildly modified to suit the new comapmy.
Therefore, it stands to reason that a generic QMS is possible, where customers simply add their specific technical procedures to the generic system that consists of a handbook and administrative procedures.
I know of course, it is not quite so simple since objectives need to be established, policy written, etc. But the basic requirement for this is in the handbook... and maybe procedure.
Generally speaking, this idea is currently employed in Europe. A consultant creates a system, gets the system certified with the first customer by an external certification company, and then the consultant starts looking for other companies that will adopt the handbook and administrative procedures. Each company simply adds their technical procedures and individual forms as part of the generic system to get certified.
Please... what is your opinion of this practice?