A quality manual is a high-level definition of a quality management system of your company. It is similar to an expanded mission or vision statement. Quality manual establishes the policy-level position of your management in the area of quality management system (QMS) and compliance with applicable regulations. There are two definitions of what a quality manual for an ISO 13485 QMS should be:
ISO 10013, Guidelines for Developing Quality Manuals, element 4.2, gives detailed suggestions for creating a quality manual. It defines a quality manual, among other requirements, as a document that should "consist of, or refer to, the documented quality system procedures intended for planning and administration of activities which impact on quality". ISO 13485:2003, element 4.2.2 requires a quality manual to include:
1 - the scope of the quality management system
2 - description of processes that are excluded, including non-applicable elements;
3 - the documented QMS procedures or reference to them;
4 - a description of interaction between the processes of the QMS
5 - definition of the QMS structure
The scope of the QMS is usually located in the corresponding section of the quality manual (QM). It simply states what activities your company performs within the scope of your certification. For example: "My Company, Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes laser generators for cosmetic surgery applications"
When the scope of the QMS is determined, we can define the processes we need to achieve the results stated in the scope. Also, remember referencing supporting procedures for those processes. The easiest way to do it is to translate the standard from a list of requirements into your organization's commitment to satisfy those requirements. For example: Clause 6.4.a ISO 13485:2003 states: "The organization shall establish documented requirements for health, cleanliness and clothing of personnel ? " our manual will state: "The company has established a documented Clean Environment Procedure to maintain health, cleanliness and clothing requirements for personnel?"
As you can see, a reference to a specific procedure satisfies the third requirement for a quality manual (above). Following this approach by addressing all applicable elements of the standard and referencing corresponding procedures, we will establish a manual that meets the requirements of ISO 13485:2003 standard.
Interaction between the processes may be documented in a number of ways. Some companies choose to define interaction of the top level processes by using variations of Figure 1 in ISO 9001:2000. Combining such a diagram with references to procedures, will define interactions between your processes. For more detailed process interaction tools, type "process interaction matrix" into your browser and you will find numerous examples.
The only requirement of the element 4.2.2 left is to describe the structure of your documentation. Some businesses I have consulted described their documentation tree as 4- or 5-level structure in the documentation management section of the manual.
Another important function of a quality manual, very often overlooked, is as a marketing tool. Well written and professionally published, a quality manual may become a powerful marketing instrument. It can communicate to your potential customers, suppliers and subcontractors that your company is not only a quality-conscious organization, but that it also knows how to document and communicate its commitment to quality and compliance with regulatory requirements.
It was always a mystery to me why some companies mark their quality manuals with a big red stamp "FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY". Our clients are strongly encouraged to make their quality manuals public, assuming that your manual did not include any proprietary information.
ISO 10013, Guidelines for Developing Quality Manuals, element 4.2, gives detailed suggestions for creating a quality manual. It defines a quality manual, among other requirements, as a document that should "consist of, or refer to, the documented quality system procedures intended for planning and administration of activities which impact on quality". ISO 13485:2003, element 4.2.2 requires a quality manual to include:
1 - the scope of the quality management system
2 - description of processes that are excluded, including non-applicable elements;
3 - the documented QMS procedures or reference to them;
4 - a description of interaction between the processes of the QMS
5 - definition of the QMS structure
The scope of the QMS is usually located in the corresponding section of the quality manual (QM). It simply states what activities your company performs within the scope of your certification. For example: "My Company, Inc. designs, manufactures and distributes laser generators for cosmetic surgery applications"
When the scope of the QMS is determined, we can define the processes we need to achieve the results stated in the scope. Also, remember referencing supporting procedures for those processes. The easiest way to do it is to translate the standard from a list of requirements into your organization's commitment to satisfy those requirements. For example: Clause 6.4.a ISO 13485:2003 states: "The organization shall establish documented requirements for health, cleanliness and clothing of personnel ? " our manual will state: "The company has established a documented Clean Environment Procedure to maintain health, cleanliness and clothing requirements for personnel?"
As you can see, a reference to a specific procedure satisfies the third requirement for a quality manual (above). Following this approach by addressing all applicable elements of the standard and referencing corresponding procedures, we will establish a manual that meets the requirements of ISO 13485:2003 standard.
Interaction between the processes may be documented in a number of ways. Some companies choose to define interaction of the top level processes by using variations of Figure 1 in ISO 9001:2000. Combining such a diagram with references to procedures, will define interactions between your processes. For more detailed process interaction tools, type "process interaction matrix" into your browser and you will find numerous examples.
The only requirement of the element 4.2.2 left is to describe the structure of your documentation. Some businesses I have consulted described their documentation tree as 4- or 5-level structure in the documentation management section of the manual.
Another important function of a quality manual, very often overlooked, is as a marketing tool. Well written and professionally published, a quality manual may become a powerful marketing instrument. It can communicate to your potential customers, suppliers and subcontractors that your company is not only a quality-conscious organization, but that it also knows how to document and communicate its commitment to quality and compliance with regulatory requirements.
It was always a mystery to me why some companies mark their quality manuals with a big red stamp "FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY". Our clients are strongly encouraged to make their quality manuals public, assuming that your manual did not include any proprietary information.
About the Author:
Before you start working on or optimizing your ISO 13485 Quality Manual visit our ISO 13485 page to learn more about Quality Management systems
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment