Internationally Recognised Standards Updates

ISO 9001: 2008

ISO 9001: 2008 comes into effect from 14 November 2008. There is no new requirement in this revision. It only introduces clarifications to the existing requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and also introduces changes to improve the consistency with ISO14001:2004.

Companies currently certified to ISO 9001:2000 are given twenty-four months to transit to the new ISO 9001: 2008. Companies going for new certification or recertification are still given the option to go for ISO 9001:2000 but are only given a year allowance for this option, i.e. companies going for new certificate or recertification are not allowed to opt for ISO 9001:2000 after 15 November 2009.

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OHSAS 18001: 2007

Finally, the much anticipated 2007 version of OHSAS has finally arrived. Organisations awarded with OHSAS 18001:1999 certificates are given two years (starting from 1 July 2007 to 1 July 2009) to convert to the revised OHSAS 18001:2007. Organisations which wish to obtain OHSAS 18001 certification are advised to establish and implement the new OHSAS 18001:2007 version. The main changes between 1999 & 2007 versions are:

• OHSAS is now a standard, not a specfication, or document, as in the earlier version

• Greater emphasis on "health"

• New and revised definitions. Example, "continual improvements", "document", "corrective action", "preventive action", "ill health", "hazard", etc.

• Alignment with ISO 14001: 2004 & ISO 9001: 2000

• Consideration on the principle of hierarchy of control as part of OHS planning

• Introduction of new clause on "Evaluation of Compliance" as per ISO 14001:2004

Now is the time for organisations to equip their staffs who are involved in the establishment, implementation & maintenance of its OHSAS 18001 Management System. QuESH has developed a detailed training package for these group of people. Training will be conducted by an experienced consultant who was an ex-auditor with a reputable auditing organisation.
Contact us for further details.

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Disclaimer: The above information is accurate based on the best of our knowledge and QuESH Consultants (Pte.) Ltd. will not be held liable for any misinterpretation of the legislation and its subsidiaries.