Setting the Standard: Achieving Excellence Through Global Accreditations

Within the constantly changing global business ecosystem, companies worldwide face numerous challenges in maintaining high standards across various aspects of their operations. From ensuring product quality and safety to safeguarding sensitive information and minimising environmental impact, achieving excellence demands a strategic approach and adherence to industry-leading protocols.  It can be tough keeping all the plates spinning at once. This is where accreditations emerge as pivotal assets.

Accreditations serve as yardsticks for companies, signifying to customers, partners, and stakeholders their compliance with specific standards and regulations related to quality management, health and safety, cyber security, information security, and environmental sustainability. Globally, numerous accreditations are available, enabling businesses to underscore their dedication to excellence in these pivotal domains.

Here’s a list of a few of the most common accreditations around and those likely to appear on those dreaded PQQs, Tenders & Supplier Questionnaires and due diligence documents.   

QUALITY MANAGEMENT

ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) 🥇

Arguably the most widely recognised quality management standard globally, ISO 9001 sets out criteria for a quality management system. Achieving ISO 9001 certification signifies a company's dedication to consistently providing products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

EFQM Excellence Model

Developed by the European Foundation for Quality Management, this model provides a framework for assessing and improving organisational performance across various areas.

The EFQM model is based on the principle that customer satisfaction, staff satisfaction and integration into the life of the community are achieved through leadership, policy and strategy, staff management, resources and processes. All this ultimately leads to excellent operational results.

Investors in People (IIP)

IIP is a framework for improving business performance through people management. It helps organisations develop their employees' potential, enhance their performance, and achieve their objectives. 

Achilles

Leading provider of supply chain management solutions, specialising in Supplier Information Management (SIM). They assist buyers and suppliers worldwide in optimising supply chain processes, ensuring compliance, and mitigating risks. Through their services, Achilles validates and monitors supplier data, verifying qualifications, certifications, and adherence to industry standards. Their platforms facilitate supplier qualification, performance evaluation, and risk assessment, enabling organisations to build resilient and sustainable supply chains.

British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standards

While primarily focused on food safety, BRC Global Standards also cover other areas such as packaging and consumer products. Certification to these standards is relevant for businesses in the UK and Ireland involved in the food and consumer goods industries.

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

GMP regulations are crucial in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food manufacturing, ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards

Constructionline

Constructionline is a UK government-owned certification service that provides a common platform for suppliers and buyers within the construction industry, helping to streamline procurement processes and ensure standards are met.    

HEALTH & SAFETY

ISO 45001: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (OHSMS) 🥇

As occupational health and safety standards continue to evolve, ISO 45001 provides a framework for organisations to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks, and create better, safer working conditions. Certification demonstrates a commitment to protecting employees and preventing work-related injuries and illnesses.

Safe Contractor

Similar to its application in quality management, the Safe Contractor accreditation scheme assesses and approves contractors' health and safety arrangements, providing assurance to clients that contractors are working safely and meeting legal requirements.

CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme)

CHAS is a pre-approval scheme that allows contractors to demonstrate compliance with health and safety legislation, helping them win work with clients who require evidence of sound health and safety management. 

Acclaim

Acclaim accreditation, offered by Constructionline, verifies and showcases the health and safety competence of construction industry suppliers and contractors. It assesses companies' health and safety management systems, policies, and procedures, ensuring compliance with legislation and industry standards. By achieving Acclaim accreditation, construction firms demonstrate their commitment to maintaining high safety standards, providing assurance to clients and stakeholders. This accreditation streamlines procurement processes by offering pre-qualified suppliers, saving time and resources for both buyers and suppliers. Overall, Acclaim accreditation enhances safety practices, transparency, and efficiency within the construction industry.

RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Awards

RoSPA offers a range of awards and accreditations recognising excellence in health and safety performance across various industries, including the prestigious RoSPA Health and Safety Award.

Safety Schemes in Procurement 

Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) is a collaborative initiative in the UK construction industry aimed at simplifying and standardising health and safety pre qualification assessments. SSIP evaluates the health and safety competence of contractors and suppliers, ensuring they meet industry-recognized standards and regulations. By achieving SSIP certification, companies demonstrate their commitment to maintaining high health and safety standards in their operations. SSIP accreditation streamlines procurement processes by providing a recognized standard for health and safety prequalification, reducing duplication of effort for both buyers and suppliers. Overall, SSIP plays a crucial role in improving safety practices, efficiency, and transparency within the construction procurement process.

INFORMATION SECURITY & CYBER SECURITY

ISO/IEC 27001 INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT (ISMS) 🥇

With the proliferation of digital data, protecting sensitive information has become paramount. ISO/IEC 27001 sets out requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system. Certification demonstrates a commitment to protecting confidential information from breaches, theft, and unauthorised access.

Cyber Essentials & Cyber Essentials plus 

In an era of increasing cyber threats, Cyber Essentials certification helps businesses guard against common cyber attacks and demonstrates a commitment to cyber security best practices. It provides a foundation of basic security measures that all organisations can implement to mitigate the risk from common internet-based threats.

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)

PCI DSS is a set of security standards designed to ensure that companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides a policy framework of computer security guidance for how private sector organisations can assess and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber attacks.

SOC 1 & SOC 2: SOC Reports (System and Organisation Controls 1 & 2)

Developed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Reports are evidence of controls that address different areas such as financial reporting (SOC 1) and data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy (SOC 2).

SOC 1 reports, also known as SSAE 18 reports, focus on controls relevant to financial reporting. These reports are specifically designed for service organisations that provide services that could impact their clients' financial statements. SOC 1 reports are commonly used by service providers such as data centres, payroll processors, and financial transaction processors.

SOC 2 reports are broader in scope and assess controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. These reports are applicable to service organisations that handle sensitive client information, such as data centres, cloud service providers, and software as a service (SaaS) providers.

ENVIRONMENTAL, ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY

ISO 14001 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) 🥇

As awareness of environmental issues grows, ISO 14001 provides a framework for organisations to minimise their environmental footprint, reduce waste, and operate in a more sustainable manner. Certification signifies a commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices.

ISO 50001 ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EnMS) 🥇

This international standard specifies requirements for an energy management system, helping organisations improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower their environmental impact.  It is relevant for businesses looking to enhance their energy performance and drive legal compliance. 

Carbon Trust Standard

The Carbon Trust Standard certifies organisations' achievements in reducing carbon emissions and improving environmental sustainability. It demonstrates a commitment to mitigating climate change and operating in an environmentally responsible manner.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

BREEAM is a widely used environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings, helping developers, designers, and building owners measure and improve the environmental performance of their projects.

EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme)

EMAS is a voluntary environmental management tool that allows organisations to assess, report, and improve their environmental performance. It is recognised globally and provides a framework for continuous environmental improvement.

The Wildlife Trusts' Biodiversity Benchmark

This accreditation scheme recognises businesses that actively manage and enhance biodiversity on their sites, promoting sustainable land management practices and the conservation of wildlife habitats.

The Woodland Trust's Carbon Code

The Carbon Code certifies woodland creation projects in the UK that sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, contributing to climate change mitigation and environmental conservation efforts.

IN SHORT…..

These accreditations not only enhance a company's reputation and credibility but also offer tangible benefits such as improved operational efficiency, reduced costs, and increased access to new markets and opportunities. 

While obtaining and maintaining accreditations requires dedication, resources, and ongoing commitment from senior management and employees alike.  Luckily for you, we know exactly how to implement and get value in the leanest and cost effective way possible. 

Obtaining accreditations no longer needs to be a long drawn out laborious & costly process.    Talk to us about how to create the framework to achieve these accreditations in seconds.