ISO 9001 in Professional Chemistry

ISO 9001 is the international standard that sets the requirements for a quality management system. It certifies how an organisation works, not a product.

It is published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and its current edition is from 2015. It is based on common principles: customer focus, leadership, process approach, risk-based thinking, evidence-based decision-making and continual improvement, organised according to the plan-do-check-act cycle. The company defines its processes, documents them to the extent necessary, measures their results and corrects deviations. Certification is granted by an independent certification body after an audit and is maintained through periodic surveillance and recertification audits. In Spain, these bodies are accredited by ENAC.

At a chemical manufacturer, the system usually covers incoming inspection of raw materials, manufacturing according to formula and procedure, inspection of each batch before dispatch, batch traceability, handling of complaints and nonconformities, and staff training. What it offers the customer is a controlled and documented process, which makes it easier for the same product always to be manufactured in the same way and for any incident to be traced back to its batch.

ISO 9001 does not replace the specific regulations for each product: the effectiveness of a disinfectant is demonstrated with tests according to UNE-EN standards and its authorisation, and classification and labelling follow the CLP Regulation. Nor is it a food safety certification; for that there are ISO 22000, BRCGS or IFS.

Detervic, manufacturer of Instaquim products, has been ISO 9001 certified since 1999.

More information: ISO 14001 · Chemical traceability · CLP · ISO 22000