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NSAI has developed and published NWA 2:2009 'Embedding effective management systems in public sector organisations' which provides guidance on implementing ISO 9001 in the public sector. This publication and all standards are available to purchase online: www.standards.ie

Background:

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report: IRELAND “Towards an Integrated Public Service” (2008) focused on enhancing organizational performance, in particular outcomes and outputs while delivering quality services to the public. The report encourages “public sector organizations to adopt and achieve international standards”. Following on from the OECD report the Government Statement on Transforming the Public Services “requires that public services are delivered at the least possible cost, and that the maximum output is received from… resources – financial, human and physical”.

Application of ISO 9001:

An effective management system provides a mechanism for public sector organizations to meet these challenges. The OECD report recommends “…that Irish public bodies could consider adopting and achieving international standards quality frameworks, such as the ISO 9000 series…” Management systems based on ISO 9001 focus strongly on the achievement of objectives and the delivery of outputs and outcomes using a process approach. An organization, with a well designed and implemented management system, continually improves its ability to provide services that meet citizen, customer

The Benefits of implementing a management system based on ISO 9001.

  • Improves performance and measurement
  • Supports achievement of strategic objectives
  • Provides a factual approach to decision making
  • Reduces duplication 
  • Maximizes efficiencies
  • Enhances service delivery
  • Provides a framework for continual improvement
  • Improves citizen, customer and stakeholder satisfaction
  • Aids staff mobility and induction to new roles
  • Supports statutory and regulatory compliance
  • Standardizes similar processes across a large organization or across regions
  • Meets the requirements for external certification to international standards.