The sites had already been certified to the 2008 version of ISO 9001, the most commonly used and internationally renowned benchmark for quality management systems. The 2015 version is a major update to the standard. It puts an increased focus on risk-based thinking and a stronger emphasis on leadership, as well as broadening the definition of “interested parties” (to also include - beyond customers - employees, shareholders and suppliers).

Measurability as a key component of continuous improvement also features heavily in the new ISO 9001. An important part of its implementation at DISA and Wheelabrator was the definition of key indicators for quality processes to ensure the effectiveness of measures can be tracked. Led by a team in Metelen, Wheelabrator started adapting to the new standard as early as 2015, with 2016 seeing intensive efforts to reshape internal processes and systems in accordance with the new benchmark. The Metelen team then shared their learnings with the other locations and accompanied them through their transition to ISO 9001:2015.

Thanks to this sharing across the Norican Group, all three sites have passed the accreditation straightaway – and well ahead of the September 2018 deadline.

Markus Bremer, Managing Director at Wheelabrator, comments: “The ISO 9001:2015 accreditation follows hot on the heels of our recent safety certification here in Metelen and is part of a wider effort to remain at the forefront of robust, cutting-edge systems for quality, safety and service excellence. Our special thanks go to Christian Heemann, who has led both processes and has been a key factor in their success. The knowledge sharing across locations has proven hugely beneficial to the speed of implementation of the new ISO standard and we hope to contribute to similar efforts in future.”

For more information about the new ISO 9001, please visit the ISO website.