Preparations are in full swing ahead of an audit. All processes have to pass the critical eye and the scrutiny by the auditor. In addition to the daily business, documents will be created and updated and measures taken. This binds staff resources and costs money, but at second glance it brings unbeatable advantages: management systems make the company crisis-proof and protect in the event of damage. In August 2023 robos-labels has been successfully recertified by DQS.
Well prepared for new challenges
Defined and functioning procedures and processes create frame structures that managers and employees can use for orientation. The procedures can be retrieved how to deal with mistakes, non-conformities and legal requirements. The focus and the concentration can be directed towards the actual content. There are also guidelines how new topics can be introduced into the company. An operating procedure without a system in a well-established company only works as long as there are no problems. The complete knowledge is in the heads of the key players.
Comprehensive knowledge quickly retrievable
In a certified company all processes are defined, trained and implemented. The knowledge is retrievable for every person, patterns of action are available for crisis situations and process changes are integrated into the company in a standardized manner. An early warning system is also implemented for possible threats. Deviations are detected at early stage through risk management and market monitoring. A certified company still runs smoothly under changing conditions such as a Covid epidemic, new sustainability requirements or market changes.
Securing the ability to act through certification
In normal operations, the benefits of certification become apparent during audits and contract negotiations, as well as in the speed at which changes are implemented. In the event of damage, verification is significantly simplified.
In crisis mode, the company can adapt very quickly to new requirements and processes can be redesigned. Legal obligations are complied with and costs can also be reduced at short notice through specified measures. Processes are visualized in a way that everyone can understand. This promotes acceptance, agile adaptability, and process-relevant information can be found quickly.
Christos Emmanuil, Head of Quality Management at robos-labels in interview:
Robos-labels has been certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 since 1996 and with DIN EN ISO 14001:2015 since 2009. Why are these certifications for quality and environmental management so important for the company?
Emmanuil: Firstly, certification is important for the customer, because a third party confirms to the customer that we are working in the way they want or in accordance with the standard – that’s what the auditor does. Secondly, it confirms that we have our processes under control and that they meet all the requirements of the standard. We also learn something new every time. Despite our best intentions, we are sometimes professionally blinkered and the auditor then opens our eyes and provides valuable input.
Robos-labels was previously SGS-certified. Why did you decide to switch to DQS?
Emmanuil: Our previous auditors had known us for a very long time. We wanted a certification company that would take a completely new look at our processes and start from scratch. The new company wanted to check everything from scratch and had a very critical view of it. That helped us move forward.
How did you feel about the recertification process?
Emmanuil: It was very interesting and also a challenge. Especially because it was a new company and you don’t know how the auditor will react to the prepared documents and the situation. However, I quickly realized that we were on the same wavelength and so from the very first day the cooperation was pleasant for me. It was very challenging because the auditor demanded a lot and was very precise, but I like that and I found it very exciting. The auditor had a good sense of humor to help employees with examples and to help them come up with an intelligent new solution without specifying anything himself.
Have your expectations regarding the change of certification company been met?
Emmanuil: The change has brought exactly what we had hoped for. We were partially aware of issues that needed to be improved, but the new company has challenged and enabled us to achieve new results.
What distinguishes robos-labels from other companies in terms of quality management?
Emmanuil: We take it very seriously, we are constantly trying to improve and do not rest on our laurels. We always try to establish something new, such as the current restructuring of our processes. Sometimes we were too detailed, sometimes too general. We have been able to take the shortcomings to a new level by working with DQS. We work a lot for the automotive industry with its high standards and now also apply these to other customers who actually demand less. The auditor preferred to work with the high IATF standards of the automotive industry and also looked at our processes partly from this perspective.
Robos-labels has a wide range of label solutions for the technical industry. How important are standard-compliant labels?
Emmanuil: These are very important to us. When we deliver labels to automotive suppliers, for example, we are often required to comply with standards that are not relevant to labels. As a label manufacturer, we proactively try to meet these requirements as well. We also often change materials before legal requirements arise or come into effect.
This applies to PFAS and MOSH/MOAH.
Where is the trend heading in terms of quality requirements in labeling?
Emmanuil: More and more is being demanded. High-quality, standard-compliant products are increasingly in demand.
Is there anything you particularly remember about the certification?
I was impressed by the auditor’s intelligent questions and my colleagues’ answers to them. The auditor sometimes asked questions in a clever or funny way. Some questions were quite simple, but the auditor was able to check very precisely how well the QM or safety instructions are anchored in the company.
Thank you for the interview.
The interview was conducted by Christine Hartmann, Team Lead Marketing & Communication at robos-labels.
