IMS-Integrated Management Systems
An Integrated Management System (IMS) combines organization’s multiple management systems and processes into a single and complete framework that enable an organization to work as a single unit with unified objectives.
The management systems are developed, implemented, and maintained with one system that cover each standard’s requirements.
Integrated Management Systems is applicable to businesses which have single management system that complies with the requirement of two or more management’s systems standards e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 etc.
Why IMS Certification?
The main aim for IMS implementation is to have as common management system requirements with intent to use one complete framework to implement multiple management system and standards.
By integrating your management systems; you can minimize duplication of work, align your objectives and reduce costs. The move consolidates the common requirements of the management system standards.
By implementing Integrated management certification helps reduce disruption to your business, eliminating duplication of audit activity and fewer audits thus resulting in minimizing Implementation Time, Audit Time, Certification fees & Audit Frequency.
Many SMEs(small and medium enterprises) are suppliers to large companies that insist quality and environmental requirements from their supply chain vendors. Mostly these requirements can only be met by implementing a management system and being certified. Also, governments departments also apply quality, environmental and even sustainability criteria in their purchasing and procurement activities/tenders. it is imperative for the SME to implement quality and environmental management systems to survive in competitive business.
Advantages:
- Unified Policy Statement
- Certification and audit exercises from a single certification agency
- Additional confidence in global sourcing
- Reduction in second-party audits
- Common language to improve understanding of policy requirements
- Integrated documentation.
More Specific Benefits:
- One management system running your enterprise, which focuses on your vision and mission, giving rise to effective business continuity.
- Improvement in the identification of risk areas, thus enabling the business to meet its strategic objectives.
- Focus on core activities is eliminated, thus increasing operational efficiency.
- Simplification and reduction of documentation.
Stages involved in obtaining certification
- Application: The process starts application process in which clients provide basis details of organizations along with client’s needs and expectations. This helps in understanding the client’s organization, its management system, size and types of operation. based on the information provided initially, objectives are defined for the assessment and/or certification, including applicable standards and specifications.Further Legal Babu will provide a detailed offer in written contract specifying all relevant deliverables as well as applicable assessment and certification services, tailored to individual client needs.
- Pre- audit: A pre-audit will be carried out by Legal Babu, it is served as initial performance or gap analysis, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. For larger assessment and certification projects a detailed project planning meeting with lead assessor and client provides a valuable opportunity to develop a customized assessment plan for all functions and process involved. Pre- audit helps top management to understand the shortfall in existing process and functions with respect to international standard.
- Stage -1 audit: Stage 1 audit is carried out by certification body. The scope of this stage extends to introductions and meetings with the management and leadership. The discussion will revolve around confidential clauses and different grades of inspections while the audit is in progress. The assessment procedure involves review and evaluation of system documentation, goals, results of management review and internal audits. During this process, it is determined whether the client’s management system is adequately developed and ready for certification. The auditor will explain findings and highlight area of improvement, if any, which has to get addressed and closed within specific period of time.
- Stage -2 audit: A certification body is required to conduct an audit of the existing systems of quality compliances the company follows. The audit is done conforming to the IMS standards and the company has to pass it positively. The reviews and inspections evaluate everything-right from the employees, products, services and key support systems. If you are already employing best practices, the audit will get positive results. Audit is done on sampling basis.Auditors will continue stringent tests that comprise of further quality checks like:
- Cleanliness of workers and equipment and tools
- Inventory check from storage of raw materials to finished products
- Area of packaging
- Dispatch of finished products
- Training programs for workers
They may even speak to the managers who handle these sensitive areas to ascertain their methods and systems. Questions may be related to their objectives, maintenance, regulations, analysis and continuous improvement.
After satisfactory audit, the auditor then share audit report and recommend the issuance of the IMS certification.
- Certificate: The penultimate phase is done in the auditor’s office. A report, validation of procedures, documents, and final approvals form final departments are conducted. Even at this stage some technicalities may crop up and the client is apprised of the findings for corrective actions. Draft certificate is shared with the client for any suggested corrections with respect to content of the certificate. Once the client approves it , a final certificate is issued having certificate number, company name, address and certificate validity.
