Understanding Clause 5 of ISO 9001:2008 - Management Responsibility and Quality Policy

What are the important requirements of clause No. 5 of ISO 9001:2008 QMS standard.

Regards,
Priyanka

Dear,

Basically, Clause No. 5 deals with Management Responsibility aimed specifically at top management. It lists activities and areas that are the responsibility of top management to carry out themselves. It cannot be delegated away. The list of activities or sub-requirements is in no particular order in terms of importance but rather reflects the process of strategic planning: from setting vision, defining goals, to measuring and discussing results.

5.1 - Management Commitment

5.2 - Customer Focus

5.3 - Quality Policy

5.4 - Planning

5.5 - Responsibility, Authority & Communication

5.6 - Management Review

According to me, the important requirement of Clause No. 5 is Customer Focus and Quality Policy. Without customers, you can't do business, and without establishing a proper quality policy, you can't proceed with the ISO processes. The entire ISO certification process is based on the Quality Policy, which determines:

- What you provide
- Your commitment to your quality system
- Your commitment to key role players necessary for a successful system

The Quality Policy includes the quality manual, quality objectives, management review, etc. It is the top-level document of the system.

Regards,

Ruchira.

Dear,

The important requirement of clause no. 5 is the quality policy, which includes a quality manual, quality objectives, management review, etc., and also customer focus. Without fulfilling customer requirements, you can't do business.

The process of registering for ISO certification starts with a quality manual, i.e., the quality policy. Based on that, you can obtain proper information.

The quality policy is nothing but the company's policy, which determines the company's maintenance of records, rules and regulations, and many other things. It showcases the company's profile.

I hope the information above is sufficient for you.

Regards,
Ruchira.

Companies need ISO 9001 registration for several different reasons. One reason is market pressure; a customer of yours asks you to become ISO 9001 registered. Customers ask for ISO 9001 to ensure that their suppliers have a good quality management system in place. Another reason companies register is for the internal benefits. Registered companies experience internal improvements and increased profitability. Click 'Benefits' to read more about this.