Overwhelmed by ISO Implementation: Should HR Really Handle This Alone?

Dear members,

Please advise on which department in the organization is responsible for handling ISO implementation. My company believes that the Human Resources Department (HRD) should oversee this. I am the sole person managing HR, handling the day-to-day functions of the department, and overseeing 150 employees across 7 locations. Consequently, I do not have enough time to dedicate to ISO implementation, which I find to be a challenging task. However, management insists that it is the responsibility of the HRD, so I am required to proceed with it.

Please provide guidance on this matter.

Regards,
Sukanya

Hi Sukanya,

Primarily, HRD is supposed to be responsible for compliance with clause No. 5.5, i.e., Responsibility and authority, 6.2.2, i.e., competence awareness and training, and 6.4, Work environment. Hope this clarifies your questions.

Should you need any more help, please feel free to email me at vishwaswatwe@gmail.com.

Best Wishes,
Vishwas H. Watwe

Hi, Sukanya,

ISO implementation is the output of a joint effort put forth by all departments. However, there needs to be a separate QA department to implement and maintain the QMS. There must be an M.R (Management Representative) who will be coordinating the implementation of the QMS and conducting the ISO audits. HR will have its direct responsibility for implementing ISO clause 6.2.

Regards,
Shijit.

Implementation of ISO-9001 is the whole organization's responsibility. However, the LEAD role can be taken by "any" function. For example, a doctor may take a lead role in a hospital, a professor may take a lead role in an educational institute, in an industrial set-up, the head of marketing, or head of quality may take a lead role...

I hope this clears your doubt. You may visit my new blog for changes in ISO-9001:2008 at [M Rama Krishna's Blog](http://changingfaceofquality.blogspot.com)

I fully agree with the comments of other members. I had given the clauses specific only to the HR department of the organization. If I know more about the company, I can also give the applicability of other requirements of the standard specific to each and every department of the organization. It seems your company has not hired any consultant? I wish to thank Shijit and Munagada for their valuable comments. I am attaching a few documents that are very useful while implementing ISO 9001:2008. These documents are also available for free download at ISO - International Organization for Standardization under guidance and support package. Best Wishes, Vishwas H Watwe.

I fully agree with the comments of other members. I had given the clauses specific only to the HR department of the organization. If I know more about the company, I can also give the applicability of other requirements of the standard specific to each and every department of the organization. It seems your company has not hired any consultant?

I wish to thank Shijit and Munagada for their valuable comments. I am attaching a few documents which are very useful while implementing ISO 9001:2008. These documents are also available for free download at [ISO - International Organization for Standardization](http://www.iso.ch) under guidance and support package.

Best Wishes,
Vishwas H Watwe