The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a non-governmental organization that provides universal quality, safety, and efficiency standards for products, services, and systems worldwide.

The organization provides thousands of expert-created guidelines and standards: from universal child car seat specs to remove incompatibility between automakers and car seat manufacturers, to the cybersecurity requirements a company needs to protect private consumer information.

How a company earns an ISO accreditation

Earning an ISO accreditation is more than just following guidelines; there’s an in-depth
process involved.

For example, here are the steps a company needs to complete to earn the ISO 9001 certification, which helps ensure that clients get consistent, good-quality products and services.

Step 1: Develop the QMS

Develop a quality management system (QMS) unique to the business and follows ISO requirements. Identify core business processes, study them and determine where to make improvements.

Step 2: Implement and monitor

Implement the new QMS and monitor its progress. Address problems that arise.

Step 3: Audit

Schedule an audit with a certifying body. An expert auditor assesses the new system at all levels, looks for potential problems, and determines if it meets ISO standards. This step includes the company gathering documentation and submitting it to the certifying party for review.

Step 4: Register and maintain

Register the QMS. To maintain certification, the QMS requires auditing every three years.

CyraCom’s ISOs for quality language services

We have four third-party-audited ISO accreditations and follow the guidelines for a fifth.

ISO 9001:2015 Certification - Quality Management System

To receive this ISO, CyraCom developed a quality management system that meets customer and regulatory requirements, enhances customer satisfaction, and mitigates risks. CyraCom was the first major phone interpretation provider to earn the ISO 9001 certification.

ISO 27001:2013 Certification - Information Security Management

CyraCom proved via a third-party audit that we preserve information privacy and security through a risk management process. CyraCom was the first US-based language services provider to obtain a 27001 certification.

ISO 17100:2015 Certification - Translation Services

CyraCom developed a quality assurance process for providing accurate written translations to our clients in any industry, and a third party reviewed and certified this process.

ISO 13485:2016 Certification - Medical Device Translation

To earn this certification, CyraCom developed a quality management system that meets customer and regulatory requirements to translate any materials throughout the medical device process, from development to distribution.

ISO 13611:2014 - Guidelines for Community Interpreting

CyraCom follows the ISO standards for quality professional interpreting services and built these guidelines into our extensive training course for employee interpreters.

Need more help determining if your language services provider is qualified?

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