ISO 9001 standard
Jul 16, 2025Audit / QualityWhat exactly does the ISO 9001 standard entail?
As an organization, you naturally want to guarantee the quality of your products or services. The ISO 9001 standard for quality management was developed for this purpose. We are happy to explain exactly what this standard entails, what its advantages are, and how you can obtain ISO 9001 certification with DEKRA.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is an international standard for an organization's quality management system (QMS). Many organizations use the standard as a tool to develop, implement, and improve their QMS. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) manages the ISO 9001 standard, which is periodically revised to incorporate new insights. The current version of the standard, ISO 9001:2015, will be revised in 2026.
An external or internal audit allows you to assess whether your organization has a well-functioning quality management system. A certification body such as DEKRA checks whether you comply with the ISO 9001 standard. ISO 9001 certification is not only a quality tool, but also offers strategic advantages, such as insight into the quality management level of your organization.
Benefits of the ISO 9001 standard
- Demonstrating quality to stakeholdersAn important advantage of the ISO 9001 standard is that certification demonstrates that your organization is capable of delivering high-quality products and services. It also shows that your organization is committed to the continuous improvement of its services and/or products. This contributes to a positive image, making it easier for you to establish new business relationships.
- Improving internal processesAnother advantage of the ISO 9001 standard is that it enables you to improve your internal processes. Working in accordance with the guidelines of the standard helps your organization to standardize and optimize processes. This leads to higher productivity and a more efficient way of working. In addition, you minimize risks because the standard enables you to prevent potential problems or resolve them in a timely manner.
- Cost savingsIf your QMS complies with the guidelines set out in ISO 9001, this can also contribute to cost savings. By working with standardized processes, you can work more efficiently, which means you spend less time and money correcting errors. Standardized processes can also reduce the costs of training and educating employees.
- Higher customer satisfactionFinally, compliance with the ISO 9001 standard contributes to higher customer satisfaction. By working according to the guidelines of the standard, you focus on the needs and expectations of your customers. In addition, customers can trust that your organization delivers reliable and consistent quality. This can result in more repeat purchases and recommendations from satisfied customers.
ISO 9001 certification with DEKRA
ISO 9001 certification demonstrates that your organization complies with the international standard for quality management. DEKRA is happy to support you in complying with the ISO 9001 guidelines so that you can obtain the necessary certification. Our experienced auditors conduct a thorough audit to determine whether your organization's QMS complies with the ISO 9001 standards.
ISO 9001 standard: Our working method
Throughout the entire audit process, our expert specialists are on hand to support you. DEKRA always conducts audits according to the principle of People Based Auditing. This means that we focus on the people involved in the processes, systems, and working methods. We believe it is important to pay attention to the people within your organization, because they play a crucial role in achieving quality objectives. Want to request an audit for ISO 9001 certification or learn more about the certification process? Read more here:
ISO 9001:2026 is expected to be published in October or November 2026. To keep you informed, we will share updates via email and organize a free webinar. Want to stay up to date?
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