Sample section of rationale ISO 9000 Quality Policy Manual. Also refer to business improvement, organization, TQM, Total Quality Management, procedures, work instructions, ASQ, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Sample ISO 9000 Quality Policy Manual - Sec. 4.11
by Ron Kurtus (14 March 2001)
The following material is section 4.11 of a Quality Policy Manual, used to satisfy the ISO 9001 standard. This material follows the rationale approach to stating company policies and is intended as an example of this approach as well as a sample of a Quality Manual.
For other sections, refer to the Manual Table of Contents
4.11 Inspection, Measuring, and Test Equipment
In our company, we use equipment to inspect, measure and test parts, supplies and product.
Rationale
We believe it is important for us to keep that equipment calibrated. This is to avoid the risk of faulty inspection.
We believe that effective inspection, measurement, and use of calibrated test equipment will result in reduced costs due to eliminating wasted effort and material due to faulty inspection. It will also ultimately result in increased business due to customer satisfaction from getting expected goods and services.
Policy
Thus, in order for inspectors to know what to measure, it is the policy of this company to adhere to the ISO 9001 section 4.11 standard on Inspection, Measuring and Test Equipment and always state the required measurement accuracy in the design.
To demonstrate the conformance of product to the specified requirements and show that measurements are completely accurate, it is our policy to always control, calibrate, and maintain inspection, measuring, and test equipment. This is true whether the equipment is owned by us, on loan, or provided by the purchaser.
To make sure measurements are done correctly, it is our policy to always use equipment in a manner that ensures that measurement uncertainty is known and is consistent with the required measurement capability.
To make sure measurements are done correctly, it is also our policy to:
- Identify the measurements to be made, the accuracy required, and select the appropriate inspection, measuring, and test equipment
- Identify, calibrate, and adjust all inspection, measuring and test equipment, and devices that can affect product quality at prescribed intervals, or prior to use, against certified equipment having a known valid relationship to nationally recognized standards - where no such standards exist, the basis used for calibration shall be documented
- Establish, document, and maintain calibration procedures, including details of equipment type, identification number, location, frequency of checks, check method, acceptance criteria, and the action to be taken when results are unsatisfactory
- Ensure that the inspection, measuring, and test equipment is capable of the accuracy and precision necessary
- Identify inspection, measuring, and test equipment with a suitable indicator or approved identification record to show the calibration status
- Maintain calibration records for inspection, measuring and test equipment (see section 4.16)
- Assess and document the validity of previous inspection and test results when inspection, measuring, and test equipment is found to be out of calibration;
- Ensure that the environmental conditions are suitable for the calibrations, inspections, measurements, and tests being carried out
- Ensure that the handling, preservation, and storage of inspection, measuring, and test equipment is such that the accuracy and fitness for use is maintained
- Safeguard inspection, measuring, and test facilities, including both test hardware and test software, from adjustments that would invalidate the calibration setting
Where test hardware (e.g., jigs, fixtures, templates, patterns) or test software is used as suitable firms of inspection, they shall be checked to prove that they are capable of verifying the acceptability of product prior to release for use during production and installation and shall be rechecked at prescribed intervals.
It is our policy to establish the extent and frequency of such checks and shall maintain records as evidence of control (see section 4.16). Measurement design data shall be made available, when required by the purchaser or his representative, for verification that it is functionally adequate.
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Websites
ISO Online - International Organization for Standardization website
ISO 9000 References and Resources
Books
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Sample Quality Manual: 4.11 Inspection, Measuring, and Test Equipment