Download of complete current Newsletter - IQNet Newsletter

Study of ISO 9001:2000 transition planning
APCER clients
I - INTRODUCTION
APCER - Associação Portuguesa de Certificação (Portuguese Certification Association) - is the
leading certification body in Portugal and is an independent, private and non-profit organisation,
which provides Management System Certification (QMS, EMS, Automotive, HACCP, OHSAS,
EMAS,…), Auditor Certification and training services.
APCER is the Portuguese partner of IQNet – The International Certification Network - an
Association of the world's first class Certification Bodies which provides assessment and
certification services to organisations of all sizes, business and social sectors worldwide.
With the publication of ISO 9001:2000, a transition period began for all parties involved, e.g.
certified organisations, consultants, trainers, registrars and accreditation bodies. This period is to
be characterised by the implementation of change and learning processes within every interested
party and has to be carefully planed and monitored.
Since the early drafts of the new QMS standard, APCER has developed and implemented its own
transition plan, with the purpose of consolidating certification process adjustments and provision
of accurate and up-to-date information to its clients and ot her organisations. Some of the actions
taken can be presented by:
• Internal training and awareness;
• Auditor meetings, training and re-qualification;
• Publication of an interpretation guide;
• Transition plan information to customers;
• Publication of audit check-lists and methodologies;
• Accreditation up-grade;
• Seminars and lectures.
Aiming at the added value of APCER services, effective competitive advantage in customers’
point of view and with a partnership perspective, a client survey was performed regarding ISO
9001:2000 transition.
The results of this survey can, in fact, provide data and information able to support a fact-based
management, as presented in "IV – Results Analysis".
II - THE QUESTIONNAIRE
A user-friendly questionnaire was sent to all APCER clients, with QMS registration according to
ISO 9001/2 or 3:1994. The questions focused on four major issues:
• Estimated year for accomplishment of transition;
• QMS and transition planning efforts;
• Difficulties encountered during transition;
• Client satisfaction on APCER's actions and information.
Page 1 of 1