Congratulations to KnoxClayton Architects who successfully renewed their management systems certification against the requirements of ISO9001 (Quality), ISO14001 (Environmental) and for also achieving their ISO45001 (Health & Safety), along with Principal Designer Duty status with SSIP.
Knox & Clayton Architects formed in 1984, uses their extensive experience to provide architectural services ranging from individual tailored homes extensions to multi-million-pound projects in Residential Developments, Education, Health, Conservation and Public & Leisure Projects.
“Throughout the certification activities undertaken by several auditors, the same high level of commitment and cooperation was observed. The Senior Management Team and their advisors have developed an integrated management system focused on the needs of their commissions and they work collaboratively with other design & construction stakeholders to successfully deliver projects, whilst remaining open to identifying and implementing opportunities for improvement. A high level of conformity was evaluated across all standards. Well done to the team at KCA” SCS Director, Tony Duff.
“This was our first audit with SCS and we were extremely impressed with their professionalism and vast knowledge in relation to management systems. The transition process was seamless, and we now have confidence that our Integrated Management System is working to its full potential for both us and our clients. Great team of people to work with”.
Lawrence Power (Partner), Knox Clayton Architects
Knox & Clayton Architects made the switch to System Certification services during 2024 to get a more responsive service and gain value from the specialist construction sector auditors employed.
If you’d like to find out what it costs to get certified, you can get a proposal using our webform here: https://lnkd.in/edxz-Y2e
If you are in the Construction Consultancy sector or provide Engineering Services in the Built Environment, and would like to find out more, get in touch via email or visit website:
info@systemcertification.co.uk
https://lnkd.in/eAuMU6gE
Pictured (left to right) we have Lawrence Power, Partner, Tracey McDowell, Services Co-Ordinator (SCS) and Jiradej Ermongonchai (Pow), Partner.
Congratulations to H&A GROUP who successfully renewed their management systems certification against the requirements of ISO9001 (Quality), ISO14001 (Environmental) and ISO45001 (Health & Safety), as well as Principal Contractor Duty status with SSIP.
Starting activities in 1993, H&A’s core business was mechanical services. However, in recent years H&A have diversified into Electrical services, Renewable energy solutions and property maintenance working on both private and public contracts, from offices across Ireland.
“The Integrated Management System is noted as fully supporting the Company activities and growth, across their broad scope of Certification, with a key focus of delivering Client and end user satisfaction evident throughout the Audit”. David Hobson, Certification Manager.
“The Audit team are always helpful, informative and professional. It’s very much an opportunity to improve our management systems and we enjoy the opportunity to discuss ideas with the audit team. We particularly like that we get the same lead auditor as this allows us to build a working relationship. Excellent team”. H&A Group H&S Manager, Caroline Kirton.
If you are in the Building Services or Maintenance sector and would like to find out more, please get in touch via email or visit our website.
info@systemcertification.co.uk
https://lnkd.in/eAuMU6gE
If you’d like to find out what it costs to get certified, you can get a proposal using our webform here https://lnkd.in/edxz-Y2e
Pictured (left to right) we have Carlus McWilliams, Director, Caroline Kirton, H&S Manager and David Hobson, Certification Manager (SCS).
Congratulations to WH Stephens who successfully renewed their management systems certification against the requirements of ISO9001 (Quality), ISO14001 (Environmental) and ISO45001 (Health & Safety), as well as Principal Designer Duty status with SSIP.
WH Stephens is a company formed in 1865, providing a comprehensive construction consultancy service for over 150 years, specialising in Project & Programme Management, Quantity Surveying, Cost Management, Building Surveying and Principal Designer Services, working throughout the UK and Ireland.
“Whilst WH Stephens have been long established in the sector and have demonstrated a high level of conformity over many years, the Directors and staff encountered by the audit team have demonstrated a growth mindset where both reviews of internal feedback and external stimulus continues to provide opportunities to develop how they deliver their service and reduce risk both for the organisation and for the end clients for whom they deliver projects. Thanks to everyone at WH Stephens for their cooperation and commitment.” SCS Director, Tony Duff.
“The SCS audit team can come back any year. We really appreciated the convivial atmosphere created by the both the auditors from the get-go. We have discussed the various observations for improvement, and everyone agreed they all sounded very sensible, and will add value for our management system. We really appreciate the framed certificates which has to be a first from a certification body.” W H Stephens Director, Graeme Kerr.
WH Stephens made the switch to System Certification services several years ago to get a more responsive service and gain value from the specialist construction sector auditors employed.
If you are in the Construction Consultancy sector or provide Engineering Services in the Built Environment, and would like to find out more, get in touch via email or visit our website. If you’d like to find out what it costs to get certified, you can get a proposal using our webform ? https://lnkd.in/edxz-Y2e
Earlier this month (May 2024), the SCS team took part in the Belfast City Marathon relay race for the THIRD time ‘running’. This year we picked a charity close to our hearts, following the passing of a loved one for one of our team. The charity chosen was Marie Curie UK.
This year we only made one change to the starting five that would line up with the hopes of breaking world records. The change made was the addition of our not so new start, Johnny Morgan. The other runners included: Tracey McDowell, Connor Ogle, William Lemon and Tony Duff.
The day itself was so much fun. The streets of Belfast were flooded with runners and supporters which always makes such a difference to the day by increasing the atmosphere at every stage of the run. This year we just managed to beat last years’ time too (which is always a bonus)
So, without further I do, we are delighted to announce that we raised a whopping £1786 for Marie Curie!
On behalf of everyone at SCS, we want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who donated and supported us throughout the recent months and during the marathon. We also want to say thank you for all the amazing staff and volunteers throughout the marathon for making it such an incredible day. (They even managed to bring the sun for the day too lol)
Until next year,
Team SCS.
The changes will be introduced initially as Amendments to these published standards. The changes (two new statements) will be incorporated into the new text of the Harmonized Structure (Appendix 2 of the Annex SL in the ISO/IEC Directives Part 1 Consolidated ISO Supplement) as follows.
4.1 Understanding the organization and its context. The organization shall determine external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and that affect its ability to achieve the intended result(s) of its XXX management system.
Added: The organization shall determine whether climate change is a relevant issue.
4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties. The organization shall determine:
• the interested parties that are relevant to the XXX management system.
• the relevant requirements of these interested parties.
• which of these requirements will be addressed through the XXX management system.
Added: NOTE: Relevant interested parties can have requirements related to climate change.
The amendments to the standards were published on 23 February 2024.
The changes apply to Standards we certify following:
ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, ISO 44001:2017
Certified organisations should ensure that they have considered Climate Change aspects and risks within the development, maintenance, and effectiveness of their own management system(s). Climate Change, along with other issues, should be determined as relevant or not and if so, considered within an evaluation of risk, within the scope of the management systems standards.
Where an organization operates more than one management system (for example Quality Management and Health and Safety Management), it should ensure that Climate Change, if determined to be relevant, is considered within the scope of each management system standard.
NB. The Principles, requirements and guidelines for the adaptation to climate change can be found in the ISO14090 suite of standards.
As a Certification Body, SCS already ensure that all internal and external issues have been determined by the organization as relevant or not and if so, considered in the development and effectiveness of the management system(s), as required by clauses 4.1 and 4.2.
However, with the new additions on Climate Change, our auditors are now obligated under this mandatory requirement to ensure that Climate Change has been explicitly considered and if determined to be a relevant issue for its management system, included in any objectives and mitigation activities, as required.
If it was considered not to be a relevant issue by the organisation for its management system, SCS are expected to ensure the effectiveness of the organisation’s process to make this determination and implementing related actions, when applicable.
If identified during the audit process that these new requirements have not been addressed effectively by certified organisations, the normal findings and gradings of Nonconformity (major/minor) or Opportunity for Improvement/Observation will be raised, and Corrective Actions required as necessary.
The ISO 14090 standard defines climate change as any change in ‘climate’ that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. The risk of climate change describes the potential impact of climate change on societies, economies and the environment. Climate change impacts occur because a system is exposed to hazards (e.g. drought, flooding, heat stress). The sensitivity of the system* will determine the extent to which these hazards affect it. Impact is a function of both the exposure and the sensitivity of the system to hazards.
Note* A system can be a region, a community, a household, a supply chain, an economic sector, a business, a population group, an ecosystem, infrastructure and its components.
Accreditation bodies and the IAF have been challenged to provide further guidance on interpretation of the extent of the auditing practices required. The APG (ISO 9001 Auditing Practices Group) has released a paper to support and guide third, second, and first party auditors on the potential effects of such amendments when auditing ISO 9001 and it is available here.
Viberoptix have come in and solidified their place as our longest audit to date, taking over 20 days with 4 auditors daily. This was a stressful task for both SCS and Viberoptix, and we are glad to announce that they were certified, with flying colours.
We would like to say a MASSIVE congratulations for the everybody at Viberoptix for playing a vital role in getting the audit over the line, as seamlessly as possible.
Viberoptix achieved certification against the following International Management System standards:
Viberoptix has had expediential growth from being formed on 3 January 2020 and opening their doors on 6 January 2020. Their rapid growth has come as no surprise as they go from strength to strength. From 20 employees in January 2020 to over 700 in 2024. We are hoping to see this rapid growth continued with the introduction of the IMS standards!
Natlie Regan (Head of HSEQ), kindly left us these words on her experience working with SCS:
“I have had the privilege of working with SCS Ltd who have audited and successfully certified our newly implemented ISO Management system at Viberoptix. Throughout the process, each SCS team member demonstrated their ability to assess the complex situations and key challenges of our business whilst using a pragmatic approach to understand our principles, practices, and overarching goals and objectives.
Our assigned lead auditor, David Hobson, possessed extensive technical knowledge of the industry and quickly developed a collaborative working environment, communicating with colleagues at all levels enabling a concise, effective, and highly positive audit process and experience.
I would recommend SCS Ltd to any company working towards their Management System journey. Their pragmatic approach, deep understanding of business dynamics, technical expertise and exemplary professionalism makes them the number one accreditation body to select for your certification process”.
As for SCS, this was a great audit to be part of. Dave Hobson also wanted to add his share of words for his experience during this lengthy audit:
“Working within a highly regulated and technically challenging high paced sector can be a difficult environment in which to implement and maintain an effective management system, however by engaging its people and retaining an effective internal training capability, Viberoptix has been able to achieve a high level of conformity. The senior management leadership team has created a positive culture enabling the HSEQ Team to deploy the process approach across organisational activities, identifying problems and potential problems and collectively the organisation is committed to the pursuit of best practice, helping to realise operational benefits for its customers, workforce and other interested parties. The audit process was effective in covering all the locations, sites and operations across the UK & Ireland, and the process is always a pleasure when working with confident, competent, and knowledgeable auditee personnel. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the many strategic improvement objectives and initiatives in progress. Congratulations to all at Viberoptix and many thanks to all the Team for their cooperation throughout the certification process.”
At SCS we are very proud of our clients and are always excited by the improvements we see with all of our clients; we are looking forward to our next visit to Viberoptix to see the systems in place.
To see why our client base is constantly growing, get in touch with us today. We would love to chat with you regarding ISO certification.
Email: Connor.ogle@systemcertification.co.uk
OR
Simply follow this link to receive a FREE quote for your ISO certification!
Pictured from left to right: Bronagh Carney (Viberoptix), Natalie Regan (Viberoptix), Naomhan McCrory (CEO) and Tony Duff (SCS)
