Streamline ISO Consultants

  • Home
  • About
    • ISO FAQs
    • Quality Policy
    • Client Testimonials
    • ISO 9001 Certificate
  • Auditing
    • Gap Analysis Audits
    • Internal Auditing
    • ISO Certification Auditors
  • ISO Standards
    • ISO 9001 Quality Management
    • ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety
    • ISO 14001 Environmental Management
    • ISO 50001 Energy Management
    • ISO 55001 Asset Management
    • ISO 17025 Testing and Calibration
    • ISO 27001 Information Security
    • HACCP Food Safety
  • Consulting
    • ISO Management System Design
    • Lean Management System
    • Management System Maintenance
    • Business Process Improvement
    • Root Cause Analysis and Corrective Action
    • Standard Operating Procedures
  • Products
    • Smartsheet
    • Electronic Forms
  • Articles
    • All Articles
    • Quality Quotes
  • Contact
    • Business Info
    • Privacy Policy

03/06/2019 By admin

Who’s Interested in a Party? A deep dive into clause 4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties

Today’s blog is going to take a deeper dive into clause 4.2 of the ISO standards – 4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties (aka stakeholders – why the change in terminology we aren’t sure but perhaps being interested in a party has more appeal than holding a steak!). Note: a sample/template Interested Parties Register is available by clicking 4.2 Interested Parties Register.

This clause has solidified its place in the ISO standards and is featured in (but is not limited to) the following standards:

  • ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems
  • ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (although the clause is listed as Understanding the needs and expectations of workers and other interested parties – putting workers first),
  • ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems,
  • ISO 55001 Asset Management (although the clause is listed as Understanding the needs and expectations of stakeholders),
  • ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems,
  • ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management Systems

It is interesting that this clause is featured so prominently, at the beginning of the standards right in between 4.1 Organisational Context and 4.3 Scope. No doubt the assumption is that in order to develop the management system to satisfy all parties and fulfill all requirements, an organisation must first determine who those parties are, and define their needs and expectations. Once this has been done, the outcome of the management system must appropriately fulfill the needs and expectations as documented.

What does clause 4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties require?

Across all of the standards listed above the very first requirement under 4.2a is to determine the interested parties that are relevant to the management system – the people, companies, organisations, authorities, and groups that interface with the organisation. Pretty straight forward – who are they? This information is usually gathered through cross-functional brainstorming, with actual interested parties varying based on the context of the organization and the scope of activities.

Typically the interested parties include:

  • Certification Bodies
  • Shareholders / Owners
  • Management
  • Employees
  • Suppliers and Subcontractors
  • Partners
  • Clients
  • Competitors
  • Government agencies
  • Finance
  • Insurance
  • Emergency Services
  • Landlords
  • Neighbours
  • Members of Public
  • Unions
  • Utilities and Service Providers
  • Media
  • Regulators
  • any other person or organization interested in the organisation

Now that you have a list of the interested parties applicable to the organisation, you are in a position to define clause 4.2b the relevant needs and expectations (requirements) of these interested parties. This could be achieved internally through brainstorming, or you could consider obtaining external input to more accurately identify the Voice of Interested Party (VoIP) / Voice of Customer (VoC) through surveys or interviews.

Next to each interested party clearly define what their requirements are – what are their needs (what must we do for them?) and what are their expectations (what are they expecting of us?).

Following this, we recommend reviewing the needs and expectations as documented to determine which of these is currently, or could become a legal requirement. This requirement is not consistent through the ISO standards above however it does feature in most and follows best practice. Many of the standards above also include specific requirements related to the context of the standard ie ISO 55001 Asset Management requires the identification of stakeholder requirements to record information relevant to asset management. These requirements must also be addressed when developing your Interested Parties Register.

What then?

Once the Interested Parties Register has been developed, you may like to use the information as an input when developing SMARTER Quality Objectives – defining what performance targets and results are necessary to deliver to meet the needs and expectations of relevant interested parties.

The Interested Parties Register should also be taken into consideration during the development of the Strategic Plan and risk management framework, with risks of not meeting the needs and expectations and include in the Quality Risk Register (along with controls – mitigation strategies etc) if applicable.

Set and forget?

Definitely not- clause 4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties requires the information related to interested parties is monitored and reviewed, with an implication that they will be maintained and current. Based on this we recommend a review of interested parties as a standing agenda item at Management Review Meetings. Additionally, interested parties could also be reviewed as part of 6.3 Planning of Changes to ensure changes do not have an adverse effect on existing interested parties, or introduce new interested parties as a result of the changes.

How Streamline can help

Streamline ISO Consultants can design, develop and implement a certification-ready Quality Management System from the ground up to meet ISO 9001 requirements. If you already have an existing management system in place we will help you integrate ISO 9001:2015 into your current management system (eg ISO 45001 Safety or ISO 14001 Environmental) to form an Integrated Management System (IMS).

ISO 9001 2015

Our trained and experienced ISO Consultants have a 100% track record achieving certification for our clients and we guarantee your ISO 9001:2015 quality management system will get certified by a JAS-ANZ accredited Certification Body.

Contact Us Today

If you’d like more information, or to request a Quick Quote please use the form to the right and one of our consultants will contact you within one business day. Alternatively, you are welcome to contact us directly by phone or by emailing [email protected]

About the Author – Scott Bishop

Scott Bishop

More ISO Certification Information

  • Links to Australian Safety Codes of Practice - What are they and who should use them?
    Links to Australian Safety Codes of Practice - What…
  • Frequently Asked Questions - ISO FAQs
    Frequently Asked Questions - ISO FAQs
  • How Much Will it Cost & How Long Will it Take to get ISO 9001 Certification?
    How Much Will it Cost & How Long Will it Take to get…
  • The Definitive Guide to Certification Bodies in Australia
    The Definitive Guide to Certification Bodies in Australia
  • Strategic Plan - Mystical Art or Common Sense?
    Strategic Plan - Mystical Art or Common Sense?
  • Looking for an ISO 9001 Consultant? Check the 10 Key Requirements First!
    Looking for an ISO 9001 Consultant? Check the 10 Key…
  • The Ultimate Guide to ISO 9001 Audits
    The Ultimate Guide to ISO 9001 Audits
  • The key to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification
    The key to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System…
  • Is it Legitimate? How to check if your ISO Certificate is Real or Fake
    Is it Legitimate? How to check if your ISO…

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: #9001QMS, #certification, #howmuchdoesitcosttogetiso9001certified, #howtoimplementiso9001, #howtotransistionfromiso9001, #iso14001, #iso45001, #iso55001, #iso9001, #ISO90012015, #iso9001certificationaustralia, #iso9001context, #iso9001policies, #iso9001procedures, #ISO9001QualityManagementSystems, #iso9001scope, #ISO9001sections, #iso9001successfactors, #iso9001version2008, #ISOConsultant, #QualityAssurance, #qualityconsultant, #QualityManagementSystems, #risksofiso9001, #startingiso9001, #theimportanceofiso9001, #whatarethesuccessfactorsofiso9001, #whatisiso9001, #whatisiso90012015, #whatisiso9001training, #whatisiso9001version2008, #whatisthelatestversionofiso9001, #whyisiso9001important, #whyiso9001isimportant, iso50001

True ISO Professionals, don’t go past Streamline

Streamline ISO Consultants set up our Quality and Environmental Management System in 2011, and still help us out today with internal auditing and management system upgrades.

Having ISO 9001 & 14001 Certification is great but their simple and practical Integrated Management System adds real value to our business - much more than just an ISO Certificate.

profile-pic
Brett Hill
General Manager

Clearly experts in this field

"We worked with Streamline ISO Consultants on a gap analysis audit of both our Quality and Work, Health and Safety systems. They provided us with a detailed report and specific goals to improve our compliance. We were very happy with the recommendations. The service provided was flexible and responsive. Scott is clearly an expert in this field."

profile-pic
Rob Miles
Compliance Manager - Suncare Community Services

Very professional - Streamline did a great job

Streamline ISO Consultants have a professional approach and did a great job preparing our QMS documentation and providing training. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for assistance with their ISO Certification. Thanks once again to the Streamline Team!

profile-pic
Raheem
Manager - Reliable Security Protection

Brisbane ISO Consultants

Level 14, 167 Eagle St
Brisbane Queensland 4000
Phone: 07 3667 8280
Email: [email protected]

Sydney ISO Consultants

Level 5, 20 Bond Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 02 8315 7780
Email: [email protected]

Melbourne ISO Consultants

Level 8, 350 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: 03 9034 3990
Email: [email protected]

SAI Global Consultant Affiliate Program

Search

Smartsheet Platinum Partner

KEY ISO ARTICLES

Articles, Deep Dives & More
Frequently Asked Questions
Quality Quotes
Funding Grants for ISO Certification
ISO Consultants
Strategic Planning - Mystical Art?
ISO Certification Auditors
How to get ISO 9001 Certification
ISO Certification Cost
How to tell if your ISO Cert is fake
4-year-olds and Root Cause Analysis
Fast ISO 9001 Certification
The Ultimate Guide to ISO 9001 Audit
Certification - How Much and How Long?
Who's Interested in a Party?
How to use Smartsheet for ISO
Smarter Quality Objectives
Local Government QMS
Quality Assurance, Quality Control or QMS
ISO Certification in Sydney
ISO Certification in Melbourne
ISO Certification in Brisbane
blank

QUICKLINKS TO ISO INFO

ISO 9001 Quality Management
ISO 45001 Health & Safety
ISO 14001 Environment
ISO 50001 Energy Management
ISO 55001 Asset Management
ISO 17025 Testing & Calibration
ISO 27001 Information Security
ISO 22000 HACCP Food Safety

Tags

#9001QMS #howmuchdoesitcosttogetiso9001certified #howtoimplementiso9001 #howtotransistionfromiso9001 #iso9001 #ISO9001:2015 #iso9001context #iso9001policies #iso9001procedures #iso9001scope #ISO9001sections #iso9001successfactors #iso9001version2008 #ISO90012015 #ISOConsultant #QualityAssurance #QualityManagementSystems #qualityquote #risksofiso9001 #startingiso9001 #theimportanceofiso9001 #whatarethesuccessfactorsofiso9001 #whatisiso9001 #whatisiso9001version2008 #whyiso9001isimportant

GET SOCIAL!

Facebooktwitterlinkedintumblr

Copyright © 2021 Streamline · Log in