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Integrating Management Systems
Introduction Many companies now have multiple management systems in place that is cumbersome to maintain and confusing to follow. This places a high administrative burden on staff and is time consuming, as well as reducing the time available to dedicate to achieving business goals. The answer is to develop and maintain one integrated management system (IMS), which addresses quality and environmental requirements, as well as other standards such as safety, or information security. This single integrated management system must be based firmly in the needs and values of the business itself. Then each new requirement that emerges can be carefully considered and integrated into the existing systems framework. The overall goals and processes of the business don't change with each new initiative. The degree of integration of the actual system will vary based on the unique needs and culture of the business, and also on the number and complexity of the different systems required. However, there are some areas where the integration of systems is almost always an advantage. It can mean having just one document control system, one management review, and one round of internal audits against any number of standards. Then, there are some items that are only included in one of the standards. For example, communication with interested parties is currently only a requirement of ISO 14001 (the environmental standard).
Benefits of an Integrated Management System Implementation of an IMS brings with it a number of benefits:
How EuroQuest can Help If your organization already has more than one ISO Management System in place and they tend to function like separate entities, eating up resources and working independent of each other, let EuroQuest help you get on the pathway to a cohesive integrated system approach. The EuroQuest team has put together systems of all types – from ISO 9001 to EMS, Safety, laboratory, and information security. We’ve also helped to integrate systems in over 100 difference locations. Our approach uses a process focus to create a common foundation to link all elements of each standard. Using this foundation, we’ve assisted over 100 companies to implement one overall Integrated Management System (IMS) that ensures the correct management of all key aspects of existing systems, and enable the company to function smoothly and achieve its aims. |
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