Welcome to the latest edition of our QHSE Newsletter! This month, we’re bringing you the latest compliance updates, celebrating our recent achievements, and diving into the critical role of ISO certification in our ongoing commitment to quality, health, safety, and the environment. From key industry insights to company milestones, we’ve packed this issue with essential information to keep you informed and engaged. Let’s continue our journey toward excellence together!

Firstly, in today’s competitive landscape, maintaining high standards for quality, health, safety, and environmental management is more critical than ever. Our article, “The Importance of ISO Certification and Due Diligence in Supplier Selection,” delves into why these factors are essential for ensuring that our supply chain operates at the highest level of integrity and efficiency. We explore how ISO certification serves as a benchmark for excellence, guiding our due diligence in selecting partners who align with our commitment to excellence. Following this, we’re thrilled to share some recent company wins that underscore the success of these rigorous standards in action.

The Importance of ISO Certification and Due Diligence in Supplier Selection

In today’s increasingly globalised and competitive market, businesses must be vigilant when it comes to quality, safety, and efficiency. One way to ensure that your organisation is working with reliable and high-standard partners is through ISO certification. This blog post will explore the significance of ISO certification and why conducting thorough due diligence on suppliers is essential for your business’s success.

What is ISO Certification?

ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) certification is a mark of quality that indicates a company adheres to international standards in various areas, including quality management, environmental management, information security, and more. ISO standards are recognised globally and provide a framework for ensuring that products, services, and processes meet high levels of quality, safety, and efficiency.

Why ISO Certification Matters

1. Quality Assurance: ISO certification is synonymous with quality. It signifies that an organisation has implemented rigorous processes to ensure that its products or services consistently meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements. Partnering with ISO-certified suppliers can give you confidence in the quality of the materials or services they provide.
2. Risk Management: Working with ISO-certified suppliers helps mitigate risks associated with non-compliance, product recalls, or service failures. The certification ensures that suppliers have established procedures to identify and manage potential risks, leading to more reliable and secure supply chains.
3. Global Recognition: ISO standards are recognised and respected worldwide. Suppliers with ISO certification are more likely to meet international regulations and market expectations, making it easier for your business to expand into new markets.
4. Continuous Improvement: ISO certification requires organisations to continually improve their processes and systems. This commitment to ongoing enhancement can lead to better products, more efficient services, and innovative solutions that benefit your business.
5. Customer Satisfaction: Suppliers who adhere to ISO standards are better equipped to meet customer demands and provide consistent service, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. This is crucial in maintaining a positive reputation and fostering long-term business relationships.

The Importance of Due Diligence in Supplier Selection

While ISO certification is an important indicator of a supplier’s quality, it should not be the only factor in your decision-making process. Conducting thorough due diligence is essential to ensure that you select the right partners for your business.

1. Verification of Certification: Not all claims of ISO certification are genuine. It’s important to verify the authenticity of a supplier’s certification by checking with the certifying body or checking here https://certcheck.ukas.com. Some companies might falsely claim certification to win contracts, so verifying this step is crucial.
2. Assessing Reputation and Experience: Look beyond the certification and assess the supplier’s reputation, history, and experience in the industry. Reviews, case studies, and references can provide valuable insights into their reliability and performance.
3. Financial Stability: A financially stable supplier is less likely to experience disruptions that could impact your supply chain. Reviewing their financial health can help you gauge their ability to meet long-term commitments.
4. Compliance with Legal and Ethical Standards: Ensure that the supplier complies with all relevant legal and ethical standards, including labour laws, environmental regulations, and anti-corruption policies. This is particularly important if you are operating in regions with stringent compliance requirements.
5. Alignment with Your Business Values: Choose suppliers whose values and business practices align with your own. This alignment can lead to stronger partnerships and shared success over the long term.
6. On-Site Audits: If feasible, consider conducting on-site audits to verify the supplier’s processes and capabilities. This hands-on approach allows you to see first-hand how they operate and address any potential concerns.

Conclusion

ISO certification is a powerful tool that signals a supplier’s commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement. However, it should be just one part of your supplier selection process. By conducting thorough due diligence, you can ensure that your suppliers not only meet international standards but also align with your business’s needs and values. This approach will help you build strong, reliable partnerships that contribute to your long-term success.

Investing time in these steps is not just about compliance or ticking boxes—it’s about safeguarding your business, enhancing your reputation, and ultimately delivering the best possible products and services to your customers. In the fast-paced and ever-changing global marketplace, due diligence and ISO certification together form the foundation of a resilient and successful supply chain.

Congrats !!

Speaking of “enhancing your reputation” we at QHSE ABERDEEN LIMITED are very proud to announce that yet again we passed our surveillance audits for ISO 9001 QUALITY, ISO 14001 ENVIRONMENTAL, and ISO 45001 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY (OH&S) with the Certification Body NQA. We also work in accordance with ISO 27001 INFORMATION SECURITY and hold Cyber Essentials Certification.

Although the summer months are generally quieter, we’re also thrilled to congratulate a handful of our clients who successfully achieved certification, re-certification, or passed surveillance audits in July. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, and we’re proud to celebrate these significant wins with you.

Well done, Ryno Group for passing ISO 9001/14001/45001, Separo , congratulations on re-certification to ISO 9001 & 14001, ICE (UK) Ltd a very well done for re-cert to ISO 9001/14001/45001 and LE Rental for re-cert to ISO 9001, Congratulations to CraneTek for passing your surveillance audit to ISO 9001/14001/45001.

Maintaining ISO certification is no small feat, it requires relentless dedication and hard work from all involved. These companies continuously strive to uphold the highest standards, ensuring compliance with rigorous regulatory requirements, maintaining operational excellence, and prioritising customer satisfaction. Achieving and retaining certification demands ongoing effort, including regular audits, process improvements, and a strong commitment to quality and safety. It’s a true testament to their unwavering focus on excellence in every aspect of their operations.

HSE and legal Updates

Tragic Incident Highlights the Need for Robust HSE Practices

In a sobering reminder of the critical importance of health and safety standards, a recycling company has been fined £3 million following a tragic incident in which one worker lost his life and another was severely injured. The HSE investigation revealed significant failings in the company’s planning and risk assessments, including the absence of a safe system of work. This unfortunate event underscores why stringent HSE measures are vital and highlights every worker’s right to return home safely each day. As we mark the anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/contents), it’s crucial for businesses to prioritise safety over time constraints/cost-cutting, or lack of knowledge. Our hearts go out to the affected families, and we reaffirm our commitment to fostering safer working environments to prevent future tragedies.

The HSE publishes its press release each month, and unfortunately, it still highlights far too many preventable incidents. These incidents emphasise the need for rigorous health and safety protocols and the continual evaluation and improvement of workplace safety measures.

The HSE website is a vital resource for many companies, providing comprehensive guidance on health, safety, and environmental regulations, helping businesses stay compliant, mitigate risks, and ensure the well-being of their employees and customers.

Legal Updates –

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/

The Carbon Capture Revenue Support (Directions, Eligibility and Counterparty) Regulations 2024 United Kingdom: As part of the Industrial Carbon Capture Business Models, carbon capture entities (organisations who capture carbon dioxide) can receive revenue support through a private law contract with a carbon capture counterparty.

The Green Gas Support Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2024 Great Britain: The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) is extended until 31st March 2028. A number of changes aiming to encourage the use of heat pumps in the production of biomethane will come into force on 4th June 2024.

The Waste (Materials Facilities) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 : These Regulations amend the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (“the 2012 Regulations”) and the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (“the 2011 Regulations”).

Training courses

We deliver an array of Training courses from ISO Auditor Courses to Root Cause Analysis, we can tailor any course for your organisation, or you can attend one of our many public courses at our Westhill Training Facility.

Our next course is ISO 14001 Environmental Foundation, Internal and Lead Auditor Courses from the 2nd September.

On the 24th September, we have one of our most popular courses the 3 DAY IMS, ISO 901/14001/45001 Integrated Internal Auditor Course. This three-day training course delivered in-house is designed for Internal Auditors or potential auditors who need an in-depth understanding of the auditing requirements of an Integrated Management System that conforms to the requirements of the core standards: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018. To help participants understand key attributes of an efficient and effective IMS and the role of the internal auditor in its continual improvement and development.

The 15th October is the ISO 9001 CQI | The Chartered Quality Institute and IRCA | International Register of Certificated AuditorsInternal Auditor 2 day course, the 14th of October is the Foundation Day and start of the Lead Auditor Course.

Well done and Congratulations to all the ISO 9001 delegates who passed the course last week, your great effort and dedication have truly paid off!

As we wrap up this edition of our August QHSE Newsletter, we want to thank you for your continued dedication to maintaining the highest standards in quality, health, safety, and environmental management. Your commitment is what drives our collective success. We hope you found the insights, updates, and celebrations in this issue both informative and inspiring. Let’s keep pushing forward together, ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our industry and our clients. Until next time, stay safe, stay compliant, and stay focused on excellence!

If you have any questions or are looking for advice, contact us hereand we will be on hand to answer any QHSE related issues…. from help with temporary staff to gaining ISO Certification, Risk Assessments to Vendor Audits, we are your one stop QHSE shop !

Thanks for reading!

And as we look ahead, let’s all keep our fingers crossed for a late summer—or any summer at all! Here’s hoping for a few more warm, sunny days to recharge before the busy season kicks in.