Not standing out during tendering? These 3 ISO standards will set you apart

When a construction company built a multi-storey residence this year in Rouse Hill, Sydney, the builders made a wise investment: by gaining certification for ISO 45001, the company set in place management processes to ensure subcontractors’ safety standards, Safe Work Method Statements, equipment testing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were all reliable. The flow-on benefits: the subcontractors’ standard of work was elevated, they operated in the safest manner, the company won more business by demonstrating their high professional standards, and at the end of the day, tenants will have a quality product built to standard.

When a New-South-Wales-based concrete pylon company applied for ISO 9001, it engrained methods to test its concrete mixes and improve its inspection and test plans, checks and balances, saving money, improving the management of timeframes, and raising the product quality for customers.

Then there was the situation of an Australian construction company that recently found itself severely short-staffed, adopted ISO 9001 and was able to undertake a major recruitment drive with higher-quality processes.

What do these stories all have in common? ISO certification is the answer.

If you run a construction, manufacturing or transport business, three key ISO standards will set you apart – and QMS Certification Services can set you up to work towards achieving all three.

ISO 45001: setting up safety standards which pay for themselves 

ISO 45001 provides requirements for an effective Occupational Health and Safety management system, helping to reduce injuries and accidents in the workplace and continually improve the OH&S performance of your business. It’s a hugely sensible decision to invest in ISO 45001 because as an ISO 45001 certified business, you will be able to proactively identify and address potential hazards in your workplace – making it safer for employees and all staff and then reduce costs of accidents, insurance premiums, employee turnover and absences.

The standard also trains you to check your suppliers to ensure they’re delivering. This is professionalism that will help you as a bidder stand out during procurement.

ISO 9001: quality processes to set you apart 

Do your subcontractors meet testing requirements? Do they have a reputable management system? Was child labour used when your subcontractors procured their materials? These checks are all part of ISO 9001 – Quality Management.

With a strong focus on clients’ needs, ISO 9001 even gets you to check the happiness of your customers.

Inspection and test plans are deeply important in construction and manufacturing. By applying for ISO 9001, you set up and cement the processes by which you can find faults and issues and rectify them.

ISO 9001 will create improvements for companies which can be passed on to every stakeholder – and will look very impressive during tender time.

ISO 14001: treating the environment right, so you can meet the Government’s requirements

Picture this: you’re building on a site in a major Australian city with complex sewer drainage systems. You need to handle runoff and stop chemicals getting into the environment – in fact, your company winning its next tender depends on it.

The Australian Government released its National Waste Policy and Action Plan in 2018 and 2019, bringing sustainable procurement into the centre of the outlook for all governments, with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules making sustainable procurement, the use of recycled content and a circular economy an essential requirement for government tenders. This should make your business frustrated if you haven’t yet invested in the right ISO – or, if you have, you can expect to feel relieved you already have environmental policies which meet international standards.

Considering the importance of keeping construction and manufacturing from harming the environment, Environmental Management System ISO14001 is practically a must-have these days – and the management process you establish while preparing for ISO 14001 can support your efforts to attain ISO 9001 and ISO 45001, too.

Get three ISOs together, stand out during any tender 

Work towards accreditation for all three of these ISO standards and you’re investing in your business.

The three complement each other, and the clauses of each standard can be similar – understanding your stakeholders; having a management system; and controlling recruitment and documentation in the most efficient way.

Work with QMS Certification Services to gain the three ISOs and here are the benefits:

• Reduce waste (through following an environmental management system)
• Gain competitive advantage (because you’re likely to be shortlisted among tender applicants because you’ve met half the requirement already
• Pass pre-qualification questionnaires more assuredly.
• Give stakeholders reasons to trust your company.

How big an investment is it – and how much might it pay off?

The average amount of time it takes to design, implement and certify for these three ISO certifications depends on the size and complexity of your organisation – and is expected to bring strong benefits.

QMS Certification Services will be delighted to provide a quote on the likely costs and timeframe. Simply contact us.

Meanwhile, if you would like to read and understand QMS Certification Services’ certification process, simply click here.

When you’re ready to begin, talk to QMS Certification Services. We’ll begin with an exploratory conversation to understand your needs then start the process of building a business which truly stands out. Contact us today.