Demonstrating our commitment to quality, accountability and continuous improvement
We are pleased to announce that WINS has been recertified against ISO 9001:2015. Our goal in obtaining this certification is to ensure that we understand and meet the needs of our members while demonstrating our commitment to quality, accountability and continuous improvement in carrying out our mission to promote best nuclear security practices worldwide.
The term ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. ISO 9001:2015 is designed to help organisations ensure that their quality management system (QMS) and processes meet the needs of their customers and other stakeholders. Certification, which must be renewed at regular intervals, means that an independent auditor has assessed WINS’ QMS and certified that it meets ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
To achieve recertification, we reviewed the WINS Strategy 2018-2020, revised our QMS manual, and systematically reviewed and revised all of our processes. Doing so demonstrated our commitment to continuous improvement, customer service and quality management. At the same time that WINS was undergoing an assessment under 9001:2015, the WINS Academy was undergoing a surveillance audit for ISO 2990:2010, which is the international standard for non-formal education and training services.
How the certification process works
There is generally a 3-year cycle for organisations certified against various ISO standards. Those who have implemented their QMS and are undergoing their first certification begin with a documentation audit, in which an auditor from the certification body reviews all of the organisation’s documentation and compares it to the ISO 9001:2015 standard requirements. Then the certification body performs an onsite audit of all of the organisation’s QMS processes. Once any corrective actions have been identified and addressed, the organisation receives its 9001:2015 certification. Organisations then undergo onsite surveillance audits for the next two years. The re-certification audit occurs in the third year of the cycle and marks the beginning of the next 3-year cycle.
