A Quality Policy in a Quality Management System (QMS) is a formal statement from an organization’s top management that defines its commitment to quality. It serves as a guiding principle for employees and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and continuous improvement goals.
Key Elements of a Quality Policy:
- Commitment to Quality – Demonstrates the organization’s dedication to maintaining high-quality standards.
- Customer Focus – Ensures that products and services meet or exceed customer expectations.
- Regulatory Compliance – Aligns with industry regulations and legal requirements.
- Continuous Improvement – Encourages ongoing enhancements in processes, products, and services.
- Measurable Objectives – Links the policy to specific quality goals that can be tracked.
ISO 9001 Requirements for a Quality Policy:
According to ISO 9001:2015 (Clause 5.2), a quality policy must:
✅ Be appropriate to the organization’s purpose and context
✅ Provide a framework for setting quality objectives
✅ Include a commitment to continual improvement
✅ Be communicated, understood, and applied within the organization
✅ Be available to relevant interested parties