Every product and service that is designed for human consumption is regulated and analysed to ensure that it meets the set standards. In every country, there is one accreditation body that is tasked with the assessment of production and supply of items through different fields, and inspection of the quality of products and services.
You will find that these bodies also aim to evaluate the competence of manufacturers and producers in maintaining consistency in quality. For most companies and industries, this process of accreditation is compulsory before putting out their products for human consumption.
Accreditation bodies are independent inspectors that work to ensure that everything we interact with meets the set international standards. This process has several benefits for everyday consumers. These include;
- They give people confidence in the products they use and buy. Consumers are assured that whatever item they interact with is safe to use.
- Promote product credibility. The products and services are regarded as reliable since they meet the set standard.
- It makes the world a safer place since it looks through the production of heavy machinery, cars, food, and medical products. This assures people that they are safe.
Having an independent body overlook production, manufacture, and supply of services means that there are no biases and compromises in the process.
Coming Up with ISO Accreditation Standards
For you to understand the importance of having an ISO accreditation body, you need to know how they work. As a consumer or producer, the essence of the process might be lost on you.
First, you need to know that the standards are set by experts in different fields of expertise. The end product is a result of input gathered from specialists in various industries. For instance, food accreditation is informed by nutritionists, producers, and expert manufacturers.
Coming up with standards is a process that is triggered by the need to have a standard in the market. This might be due to a lag in the production process or the presence of poorly manufactured items in the marketplace.
Different stakeholders participate in the setting of standards to ensure that all involved parties are on the same page. Consumers, producers, and experts give their input on what they expect and what is not working. These suggestions are then put into consideration when setting a standard.
The only way a standard is set to be passed on to the market place is if all the involved parties agree on the terms. You will often find that the process of accreditation and standard-setting takes a lot of time. Atlas Certification offers ISO accreditation and can help you with this process.
Process of Setting Standards
Coming up with a standard for the marketplace in all industries can be daunting. It is time-consuming, expensive, and exhausting. The first step usually involves the identification of a gap in the marketplace.
There is then a selection of relevant parties who are set to participate in the process. Each of these individuals provides input into what they expect of a product and the gaps that need to be filled.
Official drafts on suggestions and views are then published. They should address the market need. The selected board of stakeholders hold meetings to discuss their views on the different opinions passed on by their colleagues.
Finally, stakeholders vote on the acceptability of the set standards. If the draft fails the first vote, it is modified and presented for further debate and analysis.