ISO CERTIFICATION ARKANSAS

Arkansas boasts a diverse economy supported by industries such as agriculture, poultry, food processing, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. The state’s natural resources, strategic location, and business-friendly environment contribute to the vitality of these sectors, fostering economic growth and stability. 

Although there are millions of small, medium, and large-scale companies operating in Arkansas, there are relatively few firms offering ISO consultation services within the state. Liberty Management Group (LMG) offers comprehensive ISO consulting and certification services for businesses of all sizes and industries in Arkansas.

ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION 

ISO 9001 certification is the most popular and widely used international quality management system certification in Arkansas and is used by millions of companies in over 170 countries. The requirements of ISO 9001 are generic in nature and can be applied to any organization, regardless of the type, size, product, or services they offer. ISO 9001 Certification is meant to ensure consistent, good-quality products and services for the customers. 

The ISO 9001 standard is built on seven Quality Management Principles: excellent customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based practice, and relationship management.

ISO 13485 CERTIFICATION 

ISO 13485 is another quality management system from the ISO family designed to meet the requirements of the medical device industry.  It’s also a requirement for CE Marking. In addition to being an international quality standard, ISO 13485 will focus on ensuring the safety and efficacy requirements of the FDA for the medical device industry. Organizations aiming to expand their market to Europe, Canada, and other countries need to get ISO 13485 certification.

HOW TO GET ISO CERTIFICATION IN ARKANSAS

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is responsible for developing various quality management system standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 13485. However, they are not involved in the ISO Certification process. ISO Certification in Arkansas is issued by third-party Certification Bodies (Registrars) after they audit your business for conformance with the relevant ISO standards.

Conformance with ISO standards can be achieved by developing a quality management system and implementing the system across your business. This process involves multiple steps from creating relevant documents, implementing ISO procedures across your business, and finally getting the quality management system audited by a certification body. For small and medium-sized businesses with limited resources and expertise, it is recommended to seek the assistance of a professional ISO consultant in Arkansas.

COST OF ISO CERTIFICATION IN ARKANSAS

The cost of ISO Certification in Arkansas varies depending on your business’s nature, size, location, and the certification body you choose. The ISO Certification process in Arkansas involves two types of fees: ISO Consultation fees and ISO Certification body fees.

• Cost of ISO Consultation in Arkansas: The cost of ISO Consultation in Arkansas includes the fees for the consultant to assist you with creating all the necessary documents (Quality Manual, Quality Procedures, and other forms/templates), Support with implementation of the standards, assistance with the performance of internal audit, certification body audit coordination/support, assistance with the closing of non-conformities, if any.
• Certification Body fees in Arkansas: Certification body fees are fees charged by a third-party Certification body for auditing your system and issuing a certificate.

BENEFITS OF ISO 9001 CERTIFICATION 

The ISO Mark can be affixed to your business after the documentation process is completed and conformity with the relevant ISO requirements is established. Most businesses seek ISO Certification Arkansas either because of its statutory or regulatory requirement or because it is mandated by their customers as a prerequisite to getting the contract. However, achieving this international quality certification has many advantages:

1. Increase the credibility of your organization
2. Improve the quality of products and services
3. Enhance Business Performance
4. Demonstrate Commitment to High-Quality
5. Consistently meet Customer Satisfaction
6. Achieve International Recognition / Certification
7. Participate in international and foreign government tenders.

ISO CERTIFICATION PROCESS IN ARKANSAS

1. Identify the Relevant ISO Standard:  Determine which ISO standard is more appropriate for your organization (e.g., ISO 9001 for Quality Management, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management, ISO 27001 for Information Security Management, etc.).
2. Preparation:
   • Gap Analysis: Assess your existing management system and compare it to the requirements of the chosen ISO standard like ISO 9001. Identify gaps that need to be addressed.
   • Training: Educate your employees, especially your top management team about the ISO standard and its requirements. Consider hiring a consultant or attending workshops and seminars for in-depth training.
   • Documentation: Develop your management system documentation to align with ISO requirements. This includes policies, procedures, process maps, and records.
3. Implementation: Implement the necessary changes to close the gaps identified in the gap analysis. Implementation is standards like ISO 9001 involves revising processes, training employees, and ensuring that your management system is effectively in operation.
4. Internal Audit: Conduct an internal audit to verify that your management system meets the requirements of the ISO standard. Identify any non-conformities and take corrective and preventative actions.
5. Select a Certification Body: Choose a certification body in Arkansas to perform the certification audit. Consider various aspects like the reputation and the location of the certification body to keep it cost-effective.
6. Certification Audit: 
   • ISO 9001 Certification audit in Arkansas involves two stages:
   • Stage 1 Audit (Document Review): The certification body reviews your documentation to ensure it meets the ISO standard requirements.
   • Stage 2 Audit (On-Site Audit): The certification body conducts an audit to verify that your management system is effectively implemented and complies with ISO standards like ISO 9001.
7. Surveillance Audits: Once certifications like ISO 9001 are obtained, they will conduct annual surveillance audits for the next two years to ensure continued compliance with the ISO standard.
8. Recertification: ISO certificates like ISO 9001 are generally valid for three years. After the third year, a recertification audit will be conducted to ensure ongoing compliance.

TOP ISO CONSULTANT IN ARKANSAS

LIBERTY MANAGEMENT GROUP (LMG) is a leading ISO 9001 consultant in the US with auditors and consultants in major cities across the country. We have over 18 years of experience in assisting various small and medium-sized companies in developing management systems such as ISO 9001, 1SO 13485, and ISO 14001. We have offices and associates around the globe, and we are associated with major certification bodies in the United States.

Our ISO 9001 consultants are highly specialized across various industries, bringing the experience and expertise needed to understand your unique business environment. The state-of-the-art processes we use are tailored to fit the specific needs of your company, guiding you seamlessly through the certification journey.

Our initial offsite consultation is free of cost. After the initial consultation, we will provide you with a clear picture of the cost and time involved in the ISO 9001 certification process. We will quote you a fixed price for the entire process including ISO consultation, implementation, auditing, and certification. This no-obligation quote will help you to budget your ISO Certification journey accordingly without any surprises. Please contact us for a non-obligation consult.

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