Clause 5.2.2 of the ISO 9001:2015 standard, titled "Communicating the Quality Policy," focuses on the requirements related to communicating the organization's quality policy. Quality policy helps create norms and culture within an organization. The clause mandates that the quality policy must be communicated, understood, and applied within the organization. Furthermore, this clause requires the quality policy to be available to relevant interested parties (who care about your company and what they want from you). Here are the key aspects:
- Accessible and documented: It is a formal document available to all employees. Employees should be able to demonstrate how to access it.
- Internal Communication: The organization must ensure that the quality policy is communicated and understood by all employees and individuals working for or on behalf of the organization. This includes ensuring that everyone knows how the policy applies to their specific roles and responsibilities within the quality management system (QMS).
- Understanding the Quality Policy: Beyond merely communicating the policy, the organization must ensure it is understood. This might involve training, meetings, or other forms of communication to clarify the importance of the quality policy and how employees' activities contribute to achieving its objectives.
- Application of the Quality Policy: The organization must ensure that the quality policy is communicated, understood, implemented, and maintained across all levels. This means the policy's principles are integrated into everyday processes and practices, guiding decision-making and actions.
- Availability to Interested Parties: The quality policy should also be available to relevant interested parties outside the organization. This can include customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders who are interested in the organization's commitment to quality. Making the policy available can be achieved through various means, such as posting it on the organization's website or providing it upon request.
The emphasis on communicating the quality policy underscores its importance as a foundational element of the QMS. By ensuring the policy is widely understood and applied, the organization fosters a culture of quality that supports continuous improvement and aims to enhance customer satisfaction. This clause provides that the quality policy serves as a clear guide for all quality-related organizational activities.
