Many of our clients are surprised by the range of benefits that they receive from the certification process.

The most obvious benefits of quality certification are in terms of sales and marketing. Perhaps a major customer has "suggested" that its suppliers should get certified, or maybe competitors are starting to use a certificate as a differentiation point in the sales process. Either way there is no doubt that certification can be a useful sales aide.

But many of our clients also find unexpected benefits in terms of reduced costs and improved operational efficiency. There is now a growing body of evidence that the certification process can substantially improve the bottom line by reducing costs. It also often reduces cycle times and improves efficiency - helping the company to be more competitive in terms of pricing and delivery.

There is a growing requirement placed on industry (including services) to demonstrate environmental responsibility to customers, legislators, employees, shareholders, investors and environmental groups. By developing an environmental management system, it is possible to reduce your organization's impact on the environment, improve operational efficiency, identify opportunities for cost savings and reduce environmental liability.

Having a CE mark allows products regulated by EU directives for safety, health, and the environment to be exported into one of the largest markets in the world - the European Economic Area.

Certification to OHSAS will result in more effective control of Health and Safety issues.

TL 9000 reduces the need to meet other telecommunication quality management standards.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 can reduce the cost of ESD-damaged electronic devices, loss of production time and help lower the cost associated with repair and rework.

Benefits :

All management system certificates are not equal. VIRTUSYNC offers more than a ticket to trade. When partnering with us, you begin a journey toward business improvement, and ultimately business excellence.

VIRTUSYNC with our Partners’ are one of the world's leading certification bodies/registrars offering the latest in management systems certification services. With more than 50,000 certificates issued worldwide, our name evokes a strong commitment to safety, quality, and concern for the environment/business (Private or public).

With the following qualities, we are well equipped to satisfy your organization's certification needs:

We offer Risk Based Certification as the standard way of conducting all management system certification. With our risk-based approach to certification, you get more than just a certificate. Our auditors will also evaluate how your management system handles risks, i.e. identifying strengths, weaknesses, and improvement opportunities.

We provide a "one stop shopping" concept by offering a range of both single and integrated certification services that enhance the effectiveness of the certification process.

We have Virtual office that can provide local service to you. Our employees speak your language and know your local needs, customs, and market.

We are one of the few global certification bodies actively involved in the development of new international standards, such as the Occupational Health and Safety standard OHSAS 18001 and the Social Accountability standard, SA 8000.

We are a leading, independent provider of validation and verification/certification services for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Currently, our partners are accredited under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, the Californian Climate Action Registry in the US, and accredited as an operating entity under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change) accreditation system.

We have one of the most stringent auditor training and qualification programs in the business, guaranteeing that our Risk Based Certification services are delivered by top quality every time, everywhere. Contact Us to find out why companies around the world trust VIRTUSYNC to meet their management system certification needs.

In today’s internationally competitive business environment, effective management systems are critical to maintaining and improving a company’s operating performance. Companies recognize the value of focused, organized and systematic processes for managing their businesses.

Competitive pressures of the global market are forcing organizations to give serious consideration to product quality, cycle time, cost, continuous improvement and organizational excellence. The requirements for high quality products and services between supply chains and customers continue to increase.

Companies, regardless of size, that wish to maintain or assume an industry leading position, need a serious and critical focus on continual improvement and organizational excellence.

Proficient planning, project management, more efficient processes and accredited management systems certification can provide essential competitive advantages.

Healthcare Services :

VIRTUSYNC continues its expansion and focus on healthcare through the formation of VIRTUSYNC Healthcare Solutions by providing hospital accreditation to the NIAHOSM program. This latest development fully supports VIRTUSYNC’s initiative to gain deeming status from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) in Africa/Europe and to provide hospitals with an alternative hospital accreditation option.

VIRTUSYNC Healthcare Solutionscombines the strength of the International Partners and VIRTUSYNC ‘s risk management expertise as a world leader in management system certification, to create a truly innovative healthcare systems company with expertise in the evaluation, training and application of CMS rules and regulations within a proven quality management system.

VIRTUSYNC Healthcare Solutionsutilizes its own proven NIAHOSM hospital accreditation program to provide hospitals seeking accreditation, with a survey process that integrates accreditation to standards that address the Conditions of Participation (COPs) with ISO 9001 certification, the universally accepted international standard for a quality management system. This process assures hospitals in their pursuit to improve overall quality, meet what is expected by Medicare’s Conditions of Participation for hospitals.

VIRTUSYNC Healthcare Solutions provides customers with Competency Assessments, utilizing our unique software programs that validate competence and performance. Additional features include the capabilities of data aggregation and report generation by position, department or across the organization and/or healthcare system.

VIRTUSYNC Healthcare Solutionsis available to support your need to assess your own HIPAA & Corporate Compliance and to assess and evaluate your organization in preparation for these audits.

VIRTUSYNC Healthcare Solutions understands your organizations constant and continuous pursuit for improvement of quality and patient safety and has developed a host of training methodologies and tools, ranging from webinars, seminars, classroom and online training to assist in you in this area.

Leveraging VIRTUSYNC’s global leadership in management system certification( in association with our Partners)is evident through our issuance of over 70,000 accredited management system certificates of compliance with various ISO and other international standards, including 1,200 certificates to healthcare facilities including hospitals, outpatient clinics, diagnostics centers, laboratories, nursing homes and homecare centers.

HIPAA & Corporate Compliance Plan Audits

VirtuSync Healthcare Solutions can audit your organization's conformance to the multitude of HIPAA requirements and the OIG's Hospital Compliance Program Guidance. The audit involves one or more VirtuSync Healthcare Solutions professionals conducting an on-site visit of your facility. The audit includes targeted interviews and a review of relevant documents. Your organization can choose an audit for one or both programs. The on-site audit can be conducted independently or in coordination with a VirtuSync Healthcare Solutions ISO 9001 or NIAHOSM audit. Audit programs include:

In preparing for an audit, VirtuSync Healthcare Solutions will work with you to help identify and prepare an audit plan, which include a description of the work to be performed and the staff needed to perform the audit(s). Upon completion of a successful audit, an audit report will be presented within 21 days.

An ISO 9001:2000 certificate proves that your Quality Management System has been certified against a best practice standard and found compliant. Issued by a third party certification body/registrar, the certificate lets customers know they can trust that you have implemented the necessary internal processes to meet obligations.

The internationally recognized ISO 9001:2000 standard is generic. It is not a product standard, but applicable to any manufacturing or service industry. Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), its objective is to set international requirements for Quality Management Systems.

Upgraded version

ISO 9001:2000 is the latest version of the standard, issued December 15, 2000. The new edition has combined 1994 editions of ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and ISO 9003.

What is different?

The new standard places more emphasis on continual improvement and customer satisfaction than the 1994 versions. It applies to the processes of an organization that influence quality.

The major clauses in the new standard are:

Where do I go from here?

For third party certification, you need to implement an effective Quality Management System complying with the requirements of the standard. The first step is to get on the road to certification.

The Road To certification :

Certification, or registration, to a standard is the outcome of a successful assessment by an independent third party like VIRTUSYNC . After having decided on the management system you wish to implement, there are certain steps to get you started. Experience has shown that some simple tips, often seemingly trivial, have proven invaluable to companies seeking certification. As you set out, keep these in mind:

What steps should I follow?

Below you will find 10 general steps that will take you down the road to certification:

Obtain a standard

Obtain and read a copy of the standard to familiarize yourself with the requirements. Then you should decide if certification/registration to this standard makes good sense for your organization.

Review literature and software

There is a large amount of published information available that is designed to assist you in understanding and implementing a standard.

Assemble a team and define your strategy

The adoption of a management system needs to be the strategic decision of the whole organization. It is vital that your senior management is involved in the creation process. They decide the business strategy that an efficient management system should support. In addition, you need a dedicated team to develop and implement your management system.

Determine training needs

Your team members responsible for implementing and maintaining the management system(s) will need to know the full details of the applicable standard(s). There is a wide range of courses, workshops, and seminars available designed to meet these needs. We provide a number of public training courses around the world. Contact VIRTUSYNC for more Training information.

Review consultant options

Independent consultants will be able to advise you of a workable, realistic, and cost effective strategy plan for implementation.

Develop a management systems manual

Your management systems manual should describe the policies and operations of your company. Through the manual, you will provide an accurate description of the organization and the best practice adopted to consistently satisfy customer expectations.

Develop procedures

Procedures describe the processes of your organization, and the best practice to achieve success in those processes. These procedures should answer the following questions about each process:

Implement your management system

Communication and training are key to a successful implementation. During the implementation phase, your organization will be working according to the procedures that were developed to document and demonstrate the effectiveness of the management system.

Consider a pre-assessment

You can choose to have a preliminary evaluation of the implementation of your management system by a certification body/registrar. The purpose of this is to identify areas of non-conformance and allow you to correct these areas before you begin the accredited certification process. Receiving a non-conformance means that a particular area of your management systems is not compliant with the requirements of the standard.

Select a certification body/registrar

Your business relationship with the certification body/registrar will be in place for many years, as your certification has to be maintained. In this age of corporate scrutiny, it is imperative to choose a certification body/registrar with a reputation beyond reproach. Contact VIRTUSYNC and find out how our decades of experience can benefit you.

When you have implemented your management system, prepared it for certification, and chosen your certification body/registrar, you are ready to begin the accredited certification.

An ISO 14001:2004 certificate proves that your Environmental Management System has been measured against a best practice standard and found compliant. Issued by a third party accreditation body/registrar, the certificate lets customers know they can trust that you are actively minimizing the environmental impacts of your company’s processes, products, and services.

The internationally recognized ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System standard is generic. It is applicable to any type of organization in any industry sector. Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it is based on the two concepts of continual improvement and regulatory compliance.

Elements of the standard

It contains the core elements for an effective Environmental Management System. It can be applied to both service and manufacturing sectors. The standard requires a company to define environmental objectives and targets, and the management system necessary to attain these targets. Furthermore, the standard requires that the company adheres to that system’s processes, procedures, and activities. The main elements of the standard are:

The standard requires organizations to identify all environmental impacts and associated aspects, and then implement actions to improve processes in prioritized areas with significant aspects. ISO 14001 lays forth a best practice for proactive management of the environmental impact of your organization. When you have an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System you go beyond mere compliance. Your focus becomes continual improvement.

New ISO 14001 version

ISO 14001:2004 has been revised. The new version, ISO 14001:2004, was published on November 15, 2004. A parallel revision process has been followed for ISO 14004, a document providing general guidelines on environmental management systems.

The new version contains many improvements and changes, and the main aim of the revision has been to: improve compatibility with ISO 9001:2000, and clarify requirements.

The new standard does not imply any major changes in requirements. However, you should review your systems, as some changes to the standard may require amendments of your environmental management system to ensure conformance with ISO 14001:2004.

OHSAS 1800 :

Your company’s firm commitment to protect the health and safety of your employees is a distinguishing factor in a competitive market. A certified Occupational Health and Safety Management System demonstrates your determination to safeguard your employees and the environment from harmful incidents.

Implementing a management system will help you control your occupational health and safety risks. Each business has operational processes that are critical to its strategic objectives. Business improvement relies on your ability to discover strengths, weaknesses, and improvement opportunities. With our Risk Based Certification approach, VIRTUSYNC auditors assess how well your Health and Safety Management System supports the areas of greatest importance to you, in addition to measuring compliance against elected standards. Ensuring the safety of your employees can also improve a company's image and attract the most qualified personnel.

On this page, we will help you understand the what and why of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System—what it is and why your business will benefit from implementing one.

Partner with VIRTUSYNC for:

Certification of your Occupational Health and Safety Management System according to OHSAS 18001, and get critical processes under control. OHSAS 18001 applies to companies of any size, but is especially relevant to companies with a large workforce, manual and heavy work tasks, and/or high risk work environments. The road to certification will help you prepare for an independent audit. Accredited certification will explain what VIRTUSYNC 's RIsk Based Certification process entails.

VIRTUSYNC offers Risk Based Certification worldwide, and holds a wide range of national accreditations. With our global network of local resources, we provide you with the certification most suitable to your needs, type of business, and company location. Wherever you are, our auditors make it a point to know the business you are in

What is AS9100?

AS9100 is the Quality Systems Aerospace Model for Quality Assurance in Design, Development, Production, Installation and Servicing. AS9100 was developed using the ISO 9001:2000 Standard and builds upon their requirements to produce a globally-harmonized standard that meets the requirements of aerospace companies worldwide. The first standard available for use across the global aerospace community, AS9100 adds the additional requirements necessary to address both civil and military aviation and aerospace needs.

What is AS9110?

AS9110 is the Quality Systems Aerospace Model for Quality Assurance in Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul of Aerospace Parts. AS9110 was developed using the ISO 9001:2000 Standard and builds upon their requirements to produce a globally-harmonized standard that meets the requirements of aerospace companies worldwide, in addition to the enhanced Regulatory requirements to which Aerospace Repair Stations are subjected to.

What is AS9120?

AS9120 is the Quality Systems Aerospace Model for Quality Assurance in Warehousing and Distribution of Aerospace Parts. AS9120 was developed using the ISO 9001:2000 Standard and builds upon their requirements to produce a globally-harmonized standard that meets the requirements of aerospace companies worldwide, in addition to the enhanced Regulatory requirements to which Aerospace Distributors are subjected to. AS9120 is for use by organizations that procure parts, materials and assemblies and sells these products to a customer in the aerospace industry. This includes organizations that procure products and split them into smaller quantities. This standard is not intended for organizations that rework or repair products. Organizations that perform work that affect or could affect product characteristics or conformity shall use AS9100 or another quality management system standard.

What is AS9003?

AS9003 is a US Standard, with no equivalent document in Europe nor Asia. It is meant to be used by smaller suppliers, providing non-critical, non-complex aerospace parts. AS9003 focuses on inspection and test as the means to "assure" product integrity.

Background/History

AS9100 was released in late 1999 by the SAE International. It is supported by the Americas Aerospace Quality Group (AAQG). The comparable European version EN9100 is supported by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). It addresses both "design" and "non-design" responsible companies.

Main Drivers

In view of the fact that safety and reliability are vital issues in the aerospace industry, the requirements for quality management are second to none. Manufacturers, suppliers and service organizations succeeding in this highly competitive global market are those who regard quality management as a key business driver. Independent AS9100 registration is a presentation of their commitment to quality, safety and reliability. Many large Aerospace OEMs have indicated that certification to the AS9100 document though the Industry Controlled Other Party (ICOP) process will result in less oversight of the suppliers. The Boeing Company has already indicated that they expect suppliers to be certified to AS9100. The road to certification can be found HERE!(Hyperlink to Road to certification)

Why choose VIRTUSYNC ?

VIRTUSYNC wit partners’ are accredited to issue certificates under the ANSI-RAB accreditation scheme to manufacturing and service organizations worldwide.

The AS9100 service is characterized by:

Due to high demand, we strongly advise organizations to schedule their AS9100 audits ASAP.

What is an Information Security Management System?

An Information Security Management System (ISMS) is a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information so that it remains secure. It encompasses people, processes and IT systems. VIRTUSYNC published a code of practice for these systems, which has now been adopted internationally as ISO/IEC 27001:2005.

Where Do I Start?

Develop an information security policy and identify your organization's key information assets. Purchase the standards, ISO/IEC 27002:2005 (previously named ISO/IEC 17799:2005) and ISO/IEC 27001:2005 to help you do this. Carry out a risk assessment and build your ISMS. Training of key staff will help to ensure its successful implementation. Once your management system is fully implemented you can register to ISO/IEC 27001:2005 with VIRTUSYNC.

VirtuSync ISO Partners: www.lakshy.com