Meet Our Partners - AvISO Consultancy Ltd

What standards can you help NQA clients with?

• ISO 9001 - Quality Management Systems

• ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems

• ISO 45001 - Occupational Health & Safety (formerly OHSAS 18001)

• ISO 27001 - Information Security Management Systems

• ISO 27701 - Personal Information Management (PIM)

• ISO 20000 - IT Service Management

• ISO 22301 - Business Continuity Planning & Management

• ISO 44001 - Collaborative Business Relationships

• ISO 50001 - Energy Management

• PAS 2060 - Carbon Neutrality

• AS 9100 - Aerospace Management

​+ Many more

About your company

AvISO provides support to organisations at all stages of ISO Certification, from the implementation of an entirely new system, internal auditing, and maintenance through to the improvement and upgrade of existing systems. We also provide legal registers and compliance support, 2nd party audits and software solutions.

Why do you like working with NQA?

AvISO chose to become an Associate Consultant with NQA as we enjoy working with them. They have good communication skills, are supportive, and work collaboratively with us. The services NQA offer are reasonably priced and, NQA’s auditors are of a high standard. Over time we have built a good relationship with NQA on a personal level and feel this has helped establish two-way support of each other.

Top tip for people looking at certification?

Make sure to research the various ISO standards available to ensure you choose the right standard that will best fit and add value to your organisation. 

Be clear on roles and responsibilities from the beginning of your ISO journey and ensure you get key internal individuals/stakeholders on-board. The support of key stakeholders from the outset will make a huge difference in the process and will help ensure a smooth transition through to certification.
 
Be honest when defining your risk and opportunities and set objectives that you want to meet, not ones that you think are the best fit for the Standard. Be clear on what your motivations are and share the positive and the negatives with the team to encourage engagement.

What do you find is the most common point of misunderstanding regarding certification or specific standards when visiting clients?

We put this question to our team of consultants, here is our top three:

1. The depth and complexity of the documentation required by ISO Standards. For all the best intentions we regularly see over-complicated Management Systems that are too prescriptive and difficult to follow.
2. Quite often there is some confusion about the process to certification and a misunderstanding that when certification is granted there are no further audits required until the 3 years are up, and then there is the recertification audit.  Some clients do not realise that surveillance audits are scheduled within this timeframe. 
3. The function of the Certification Body.  Some clients who are new to ISO standards do not fully understand the difference between our role as consultants and the role of the Certification Body, which is completely independent, so it is important that this is explained fully at the outset.

Is there anything else you'd like to let our readers know?

The journey to ISO Certification and the various audits which are involved are not as daunting as they may first appear.  If readers are struggling to get to grips with some elements of the standards, there are many types of help and support available.  Finding the right support that best fits your organisation will make that journey a very straightforward and rewarding one. 

For more information please visit us at:

Website: avisoconsultancy.co.uk

Are you considering NQA Training but not sure which way to turn or which course to book? Our Journey Guide will will point you in the right direction.

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* Disclaimer:

NQA does not provide consultancy in order to remain impartial from management systems implementation.

NQA shall not imply that certification would be simpler, easier, faster or less expensive if a consultancy listed on the ACR is used.

ACR Consultants shall not imply that NQA certification would be simpler, easier, faster or less expensive if their services are used.

NQA remains impartial from our partners on our Associate Consultant Register and does not endorse one partner over another.

‘Our consultants’ do not work for NQA, they work as independent bodies in partnership with us through our Associate Partner Programme. In accordance with the accreditation standard ISO 17021-1:2015 NQA does not provide consultancy in order to remain impartial from management systems implementation.