FOUNDATIONS OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Principles of ISO 9001:2015
Customer Focus
Sustained success is achieved when an organization attracts and retains the confidence of customers and other interested parties. Every aspect of customer interaction provides an opportunity to create more value for the customer. Understanding current and future needs of customers and other interested parties contributes to sustained success of the organization.
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Decision making can be a complex process, and it always involves some uncertainty. It often involves multiple types and sources of inputs, as well as their interpretation, which can be subjective. It is important to understand cause-and-effect relationships and potential unintended consequences. Facts, evidence and data analysis lead to greater objectivity and confidence in decision making.
Relationship Management
Interested parties influence the performance of an organization. Sustained success is more likely to be achieved when the organization manages relationships with all of its interested parties to optimize their impact on its performance. Relationship management with its supplier and partner networks is of particular importance.
Engagement of People
To manage an organization effectively and efficiently, it is important to involve all people at all levels and to respect them as individuals. Recognition, empowerment and enhancement of competence facilitate the engagement of people in achieving the organization’s quality objectives.
Leadership
Creation of unity of purpose and direction and engagement of people enable an organization to align its strategies, policies, processes and resources to achieve its objectives.
Process Approach
The quality management system consists of interrelated processes. Understanding how results are produced by this system enables an organization to optimize the system and its performance.
Continuous Improvement
Improvement is essential for an organization to exceed current levels of performance, to react to changes in its internal and external conditions and to create new opportunities.
YOU MAY NEED TO KNOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ISO 9001 certification?
ISO 9001:2015 is an internationally recognized Quality Management System (QMS) standard. It confirms that a company has documented, audited processes in place to consistently meet customer requirements and drive continuous improvement.
Why is ISO 9001 important when choosing a printer?
For print and fulfillment buyers, ISO 9001 certification provides confidence that:
- Production processes are controlled and repeatable
- Quality checks are standardized
- Issues are formally tracked and corrected
- Teams follow documented procedures
This reduces variability, minimizes risk, and improves consistency across large or recurring print programs.
What does ISO 9001 really mean for print buyers?
In practical terms, it means your printer has a structured system to prevent errors, not just fix them. It impacts:
- Production accuracy
- Documentation control
- Vendor management
- Continuous improvement initiatives
For a deeper dive: learn what ISO 9001:2015 really means for print buyers ⟶
Does ISO 9001 guarantee error-free printing?
No certification guarantees perfection. However, ISO 9001 ensures that when a non-conformance occurs, it is:
- Documented
- Investigated
- Corrected
- Prevented from recurring through systemic improvements
That accountability is what builds long-term reliability.
How is ISO 9001 certification maintained?
ISO 9001 registration requires ongoing third-party audits to confirm compliance. Companies must demonstrate:
- Process documentation
- Measurable quality objectives
- Internal audits
- Management review procedures
- Continuous improvement efforts
The certification is not a one-time achievement, it is an ongoing commitment.
How does ISO 9001 improve supply chain reliability?
ISO 9001 promotes relationship management and evidence-based decision-making. That means suppliers are evaluated, performance is monitored, and improvements are data-driven; all of which strengthen print and fulfillment reliability.
How does ISO 9001 integrate with other quality standards?
ISO 9001 provides the foundation for broader quality initiatives. At B&B, it complements advanced color management practices, structured operational controls, reinforcing consistent results across print production and fulfillment services.