In October 2022, 5 Squirrels achieved certification of conformance to ISO 9001:2015 standards in the manufacture and supply of cosmetic products. ISO 9001 is the most recognised of all quality standards worldwide, developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation. Achieving this certification, means you can be sure 5 Squirrels are committed to a process of continuous improvement and that our production standards will always ensure that your products are of consistent quality.
ISO, International Organisation for Standardisation, sets the rules for the various ISO standards. It is an independent, non-governmental international organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland. Its members are national standards bodies, and they represent ISO in their countries. In the UK, this mission is entrusted to the British Standards Institution (BSI). You can refer to the official website iso.org to learn more about the association and its missions.
The 7 principles of quality management
There are seven main quality management principles that form the backbone of ISO 9001 certification.
1. A customer orientation
The primary objective of quality management is to satisfy the requirements of customers as well as possible, and to provide responses that anticipate their expectations to provide them with the best possible service. The actions to be undertaken concern the entire customer relationship, from prospecting to follow-up.
ISO 9001 certification is in line with our values and commitments. At 5 Squirrels, customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do. From product innovation and production processes to ingredient selection, quality control, marketing and follow-up, every step of our value chain is focused on the expectations of our customers.
2. A focus on leadership
A continuous quality improvement process requires appropriate governance, which has the necessary agility while maintaining a long-term vision. Leadership makes it possible to identify the objectives to be achieved, while involving the whole team and providing them with the technical, behavioural, and managerial solutions to meet these challenges.
5 Squirrels work hard to improve the skills of our team. Every department is aware of quality issues including manufacturing, production, research and development, design, operations, and sales.
3. Team involvement
Continuous quality improvement is only possible with the participation of everyone at 5 Squirrels. The involvement of the whole team is one of the founding elements of ISO 9001 certification. Improved internal communication, actions to promote the company culture, the reinforcement of a common set of values, active listening and the sharing of knowledge and experience encourage the mobilisation of the entire team around a common goal.
5 Squirrels place people at the heart of its DNA. We have strong values, those of a cosmetics manufacturer that is dedicated to ethical and sustainable processes, and we share this dedication with all our team. Our continued growth is proof of the commitment and dedication of our team in every department.
4. A process-oriented approach
The implementation of processes guarantees constant quality, while an analysis of the results enables a commitment to continuous improvement. We rely on particularly strict specifications to guarantee our customers the best products. Our ISO 9001 certification is now an integral part of our culture and will be a key success factor in our future growth.
5. A drive for improvement
Maintaining performance is based on a constant desire for improvement. ISO 9001 certified companies approach each variation in the internal or external context as the creation of opportunities. Monitoring and detailed analysis of processes, involving every department and all levels of the value chain, enable preventive or corrective actions to be implemented. Innovation is essential to keep pace with market developments and to anticipate customer expectations.
5 Squirrels is committed to innovation and continuous improvement. Our company is renowned for its quality products and excellent customer service. In 2019 5 Squirrels won National Best Clinic Support Partner of the Year at the Aesthetic Awards, and in 2021 they were highly commended in the same category. The awards are hosted yearly to allow for recognition and celebration of companies and organisations who endorse best practice, deliver outstanding customer service, demonstrate unprecedented skill, and uphold robust ethics. In 2022 we were awarded the title of ‘Most Innovative Medical Aesthetics Manufacturer’ at the GHP Global Excellence Awards.
6. Evidence-based decision-making
Quality management is based on objective decisions, based on accurate information. An analysis of the data and information provided informs the decisions and helps to achieve the desired objectives and results.
Our decisions are always made in the light of the information and data provided by our studies, our team, our suppliers, and our customers. In this way, we adjust our strategic choices and actions based on the various sources available to us. Our decisions are always scrutinised in the light of our values, respect for the environment and the promotion of ethical and responsible skincare.
7. Relationships management
Quality improvement also relies on the involvement of other stakeholders in a company’s and organisation’s activities. Suppliers and service providers play an active role in performance.
As an ISO 9001 certified company, we build strong and lasting relationships with our suppliers. We work on a long-term basis and only work with suppliers who share our values in terms of sustainability and responsible business practices.
What does this mean for you?
A key requirement of ISO 9001:2015 is to continually examine the risks and opportunities for improvement and to put in place operational controls to effectively manage and measure our performance. It also helps us measure client satisfaction and enables us to continually improve our processes. This ensures we identify all present customer needs and identify future requirements, as long-term customer satisfaction has always been a fundamental part of our business.
We are extremely proud of our achievement and with our quality management system officially recognised, we can continually strive to deliver the best products and services for our valued clients.
