• The ISO 9000:2008 series provides industry with an excellent model for business process improvement. This is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and 8 quality management principles. To ensure continued maximum effectiveness, a quality management system requires regular performance assessment. This is best achieved by using competent auditors with a good understanding of process auditing and the benefits and advantages businesses can gain through proper implementation of ISO 9001:2008.

  IRCA's QMS programme supports the third party certification of ISO 9000:2008 based quality management systems. We contribute to this scheme through the certification of the different categories of auditors (those employed by certification body/registrars, consultants and internal auditors) and by developing and promoting good auditor training and auditing best practice.

  Benefits to organizations

• Confidence that IRCA certified auditors have the appropriate training and skills

Benefits to certification bodies

• Reassurance that IRCA auditors employed to audit organizations' quality management systems for certification to ISO 9001:2008 are competent and committed to continuing professional development

Benefits to auditors

• Recognition of your ability to conduct process-based audits against ISO 9001:2008 for clients worldwide

IRCA's QMS programme is based on the ISO 9001:2008 standards:

• ISO 9001:2008, Quality Management Systems requirements

• ISO 9004:2000, Guidelines for performance improvements

• ISO 9000:2008, Fundamentals and vocabulary

• ISO 19011:2002, Guidelines on Quality and/or Environmental Management Systems auditing