Quality Management Standard

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The QG Quality Management Standard has been written using the principles of ISO 9001 which helps SME’s understand their quality management system and then gives them an opportunity to implement a fit for purpose foundation system into their company. The standards are recognised as an externally accredited quality management system and can be used to gain business through PQQ’s and tenders.

The QG system has two levels of assurance; “Quality Fundamentals” and “Quality Fundamentals PLUS”.  You define which level of assurance you require by utilising the risk matrix below. Then give QG a call on 01228 631681 and we’ll talk you through the process.

Assurance Levels

Quality fundamentals

To qualify for  your Quality Fundamentals Certificate you are required to provide evidence that you meet the Quality Fundamentals Requirements. We have made this easy for you by providing a Quality Fundamentals Questionnaire that asks you the relevant questions, you’ll need to attach some items such as screen grabs or policy notes to evidence compliance. On completing the questionnaire to our satisfaction you will be awarded your Quality Fundamentals Certificate. The successful completion of the QG Quality Management template* meets this requirement.

Quality fundamentals +

You may be required to provide further assurance to your customers that you meet the requirements of the Quality Fundamentals programme. This is called Quality Fundamentals PLUS and involves a detailed audit of your management systems as well as the completion of your questionnaire.

Download Quality Management Standard Questionnaire

Risk Matrix

Very Low Risk
Low Risk
Moderate & High
Very Low Risk

Very Low Risk Level

Criteria: For contracts where a QMS has no or little affest on the delivery of the product or service. The sort of contracts this will apply to are likely to be those covering commodity purchases or standard service provisions e.e. office supplies, the disposal of non-sensitive waste, cleaning services, accountancy, legal services, taxi and bus hire, hire cars etc

Management Standard: Quality Fundamentals

Low Risk

Low Risk Level

Criteria: For contracts where the QMS has some affect on the delivery of products and services. The profile is likely to apply primarily to contracts handling information classified as OFFICIAL and could relate to consultancy, catering, packaging, training, supply of PPE etc.

Management Standard: Quality Fundamentals PLUS

Moderate & High

Moderate & High Risk Level

Criteria: For contracts subject to more advanced quality scrutiny. This will Likely apply to contracts that involve the manufacturing of goods, disposal of sensitive information, transport of sensitive goods etc

Management Standard: ISO 9001

View QG Quality Management Standard

QG Accredited Practitioner Support

If you require support implementing your Quality Management System there are QG Accredited Practitioners who have been trained by ourselves in the implementation of the QG Quality Management Standard.  They each use the QG Management template to build and document your quality management system and will provide a system fully compliant with the QG Quality Management Standard.

It would not be right for Practitioners to do this alone, whilst they’ll give you guidance to produce the documentation you are required to implement the system into your own organisation. When systems are combined such as Quality and Environment only one document will be produced to combine the systems.

QG Accredited Practitioners are independent to QG Business Solutions the operator of the scheme. Practitioner support can be a combination of onsite and offsite support.

QG Management Template

The QG Quality Management Template is a copyrighted document used by QG Accredited Practitioners to implement systems to the QG Quality Standards. Use of the template and practitioners can often be more cost effective than doing it yourself as systems are generally compliant first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the QG Quality Management Standard?
How does this help when ‘working towards ISO 9001’?
Why does this work for SME’s?
Why implement a Quality Management System?
What happens when I grow?
How long will it take to achieve the QG standard?
How do I know what to put in my Quality Policy?
What is the QG Quality Management Standard?

QG Business Solutions Ltd, offer organisations, large and small the opportunity to obtain external recognition of their quality management systems prior to them gaining an ISO accreditation. The standard has been written using the principles of ISO 9001 and helps SME’s understand Quality Management and gives them an opportunity to implement a fit for purpose system that helps them run their business. The standard is recognised as a ‘externally accredited quality management system’ and can be used to gain business through tenders.

How does this help when ‘working towards ISO 9001’?

The QG Standard has been written using the principles of ISO 9001 and gives formal recognition to businesses who have implemented a quality management system but have not yet obtained enough evidence to meet the full ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard. Some businesses currently use a consultants letter as evidence of ‘working towards ISO 9001’, this standard gives external recognition to this process.

Why does this work for SME’s?

The QG standards were first developed in 1994 by Cumbria Enterprise Agency to assist SME’s achieve BS5750, 80% of BS5750 for 20% of the cost. In recent years that same policy of assisting SMEs has developed to include the ISO 9001 standard so that large businesses can attract local SME’s break into their supply chain and thus meeting local political and economic targets. This standard works for SME’s because it is specifically designed for SME’s at the same time as meeting larger businesses need for the conformance with an ‘externally accredited Quality Management Standard’.

Why implement a Quality Management System?

Large organisations in the public and private sector ask in their tender documents ‘have you an externally accredited management system’ Organisations expect these to follow the principles of ISO 9001 therefore we have designed a standard that sits somewhere between no formal system and ISO 9001 depending on your circumstances and risk profile.

What happens when I grow?

Some businesses keep the QG Quality Management Standard and never go for accreditation to the ISO 9001 standard. However, if you decide you need to progress and achieve the ISO 9001 standard we are with you all the way. Our associates are qualified to assist you in achieving the appropriate standard.

How long will it take to achieve the QG standard?

This depends on what you already have in place. Unique to the QG standard is that we look at how you operate the business and document it. Providing what you do meets all areas of the QG Quality Management Standard then you meet the standard. If you don’t then we will tell you what’s required, you implement it for a period of time and then achieve the standard.

How do I know what to put in my Quality Policy?

At the present time many contractors are just looking for you to provide a quality policy, how long this will last is anybody’s guess. What QG is able to offer is for an external quality management specialist to work with you not only to develop a fit for purpose Quality Policy but to encapsulate it into an accredited Quality Management System which conforms to the QG Quality Management Standard. You could of course google ‘Quality Management Policy’ and copy another companies, but will this actually work for you if something goes wrong?

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