A shift in the approach to understanding quality

ISO 9001 provides a process-oriented approach to documenting and reviewing the structure, responsibilities and procedures needed to achieve effective quality management in an organization. Organizations use this standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

ISO 45001 was first issued in 2018 to replace the older OHSAS 18001:2007 and specifies the requirements for an occupational health and safety management system. Reducing occupational health and safety risks and preventing workplace injuries is one of the most important challenges facing businesses and this standard provides guidance and procedures to help organisations create safe workplaces.

"With the gradual development of standards involving product/product/service quality, the perception of companies involved in implementing quality systems is shifting. Quality is no longer just about product/product quality, but also includes systems related to occupational safety, the company's impact on its environment and overall corporate social responsibility," says Ing. Tomáš Pokorný, Senior Partner at e-ISO a.s. "The motivation for obtaining a certified system has also changed significantly. When a company operates in multiple international markets, a certified system is then a clear advantage, as many national regulations are based on international ISO standards. An example is the VCA occupational safety certification process in the Netherlands, which essentially incorporates elements of ISO 9001 and ISO 45001. For companies that supply their products to multiple international markets, certification to international standards is then a must," he adds.

In the Benelux, it is customary to assess the safety risks in the construction of photovoltaics both on the roof and in the field using the VCA method. Our project managers and construction managers have been certified VCA or its German equivalent SGU at the level of Operational Supervisors. The installers can get by with Basic Elements of Safety.

For Greenbuddies, the certification is a tool to adjust internal processes and improve our position in the market, where the company often meets the criteria for winning contracts thanks to these standards. In the future, the company also plans to obtain ISO 14001 certification, which is an elegant tool for managing the environmental impact of the company's activities. Through it, the company demonstrates its commitment to pollution prevention, compliance with legal requirements and continuous improvement of its environmental management system, saving energy and material resources.