Frequently Asked Questions
Below are many of the common questions often asked by the media.
What is the purpose of a quality management system?
A quality management system focuses on the way a company manages its organisational process. Companies approved to the international quality management system standard, ISO 9001, need to comply with any regulations applicable to their products or services and are required to improve the performance of their quality management system.
For more information about ISO 9001 standard visit the International Organization for Standardization web site: www.iso.ch
How can a problem arise with a product if a company is certified to ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 focuses on the way a company manages its organisational processes and is not directly focused on the final product or service delivered. Organisations that are approved to ISO 9001 need to comply with any regulations applicable to their products or services and are required to improve the performance of their management system.
When can companies use the LRQA ISO 9001 approval mark?
The use of the ISO 9001 mark demonstrates that a company’s quality management system is compliant with the requirements of ISO 9001 and approved by LRQA. The use of the mark does not signify the approval of the product itself.
What does the LRQA ISO 9001 approval mark mean?
It means that a company has been approved by LRQA to the requirements of the ISO 9001 standard.
For more information about the ISO 19001 standard visit: www.iso.ch
What is the purpose of an environmental management system?
An environmental management system can help a company to manage environmental risk and minimise its environmental impact. ISO 14001 is the international environmental management system standard against which a company can be assessed. Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance, an independent third party certification body, is accredited by a number of accreditation bodies to certify companies to ISO 14001
For more information about ISO 14001 visit: www.iso.ch
How can an environmental incident happen if a company is certified to ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 requires a company to operate within an environmental legal framework. An environmental management system will not necessarily prevent a company from having an environmental incident. But what it can do is help ensure that systems are in place to minimise impacts and reduce risks. ISO 14001 helps a company to identify and put in place preventative actions to minimise the likelihood of an environmental incident.
What allows LRQA to carry out assessment work?
LRQA is accredited by a number of accreditation companies around the world. Accreditation is awarded to certification bodies and it means they have been examined and approved to assess companies in specific industries. It proves that the certification body has the necessary professionalism and expertise to conduct assessments.
For more information about accreditation, visit: www.lrqa.co.uk/accreditation
Is LRQA insured for the work it carries out?
LRQA is covered by professional indemnity insurance.
How long does it take to carry out an assessment?
This varies depending on the type of business, number of locations, number of processes and level of automation.
How many people does LRQA employ?
Over 1,900 people are involved in delivering the LRQA service around the world.
How does LRQA know that its assessors are doing an effective job?
LRQA operates a procedure that ensures consistency of assessments. We place emphasis on continuing professional development, we monitor the level of customer satisfaction through regular surveys and following each assessment. LRQA is also audited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service which authorises LRQA to carry out assessments. LRQA is also accredited by a number of other national accreditation companies around the world.
For more information about accreditation, visit: www.lrqa.co.uk/accreditation
What internal systems does LRQA have to ensure assessment teams are up to standard?
LRQA is audited on a regular basis by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, and other national accreditation bodies, which authorises LRQA to carry out assessments. Each assessment is technically reviewed by an independent person who was not involved in the assessment. Assessment managers monitor the assessment teams and this is audited at a departmental and corporate level.
What can be done if a certificate is believed to be false?
Contact the business centre that issued the certificate and they can identify whether the company has been approved by LRQA. In the UK, please contact our customer services on 024 7688 2392. For details of our overseas offices please visit our LRQA Worldwide Offices page.
Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance • A member of the Lloyd's Register Group
