Awareness among Polish entrepreneurs concerning the introduction of certification has been growing every year, reflected in the increasing popularity of quality systems, and especially interest in the ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Standard.

Every enterprise operates according to its own, established management system. In large firms, especially international concerns, patterned on the "parent" firm, this model differs somewhat from those applied in Polish companies. However, established modes of action are not always familiar to all employees. The firm's customers are also not acquainted with them.

This is the reason behind the establishment and market success in Poland of quality systems-from the most popular ISO 9001:2001 quality management system to the increasingly well known ISO 14001, the EMAS environmental management systems, the PN-EN 18001, BS 8800, SCC and OHSMS work safety and hygiene and health protection management systems, the QS 9000, VDA 6.1, ISO/TS 16949 automotive sector quality systems, the ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory quality system, the HACCP food industry quality assurance system, and more.

Two or three systems

Entrepreneurs wanting to obtain confirmation that the operation of their enterprise meets international standards, should make sure which kind of system is most appropriate in their case. It may also be worth considering whether to introduce two or three systems simultaneously, provided that the financial resources are sufficient. For integrated quality systems, such as the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, or the ISO 9001:2000 and the HACCP, the cost is lower than implementing these systems individually. It should also be made clear whether, at the moment of the integrated system's implementation, it will be possible to certify it as an integrated system and not as two separate systems: not all firms certify systems as integrated.

Interest in ISO 14001

The most popular quality management system is the ISO 9000, but there is growing interest among firms in environmental protection for the ISO 14001. Such a certificate confirms that the company is not indifferent to the protection of the natural environment. The
system is of crucial importance to businesses which have a considerable influence on the environment, such as chemical plants and power station.

Certification is increasingly often enforced by large international concerns, for example in the automotive sector. In order to become a supplier of certified products, a firm has to meet ISO 9001 requirements and, depending on the direction of cooperation, also the QS 9000 or VDA 6.1, or the ISO/TS 16949, or even hold several systems at the same time. The firm then no longer has to face the question of which system to implement. The problem remains of whether to introduce an integrated system, and which certifying firm to choose.

Nor does the problem of choosing a system concern large Polish food industry companies, as they are by statute obliged to meet HACCP standards. These companies have already implemented the HACCP system, usually integrated with the ISO 9001. Upon Poland's accession to the European Union, the requirement will also pertain to the sector of small and medium-sized companies.

Companies facing the dilemma of which system to choose can expect assistance from consulting firms or certifying firms, the number of which has been growing in Poland. It is also important to watch the increasingly rapidly developing market. However, attitudes to the issue of quality should not be the same as to the purchase of a product, as companies have to work out a system themselves, a task connected first of all with the involvement of management and staff.

Prof. Stanisław Tkaczyk
Eng. Bogdan Malinowski
Orgmasz- The Institute of Organization and Management in Industry