What is a management system?
A management system is the set of policies, processes and controls a business uses to operate consistently and meet its objectives. ISO standards provide recognised frameworks for quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management.
Can you help us prepare for certification?
Yes. Gallos can carry out a gap assessment, help develop or improve the management system, support implementation and carry out internal audits before your certification body's assessment.
Can ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 be combined?
Yes. The standards share a common high-level structure, so they can often be managed as an integrated management system rather than three separate systems.
What is EN 1090?
EN 1090 is a European series of standards covering the manufacture and conformity assessment of structural steel and aluminium components. It sets requirements for a Factory Production Control (FPC) including processes such as fabrication, welding, inspection, traceability and needed to demonstrate that structural components meet their specified performance requirements.
For manufacturers of structural components within its scope, EN 1090 provides the conformity assessment framework for placing products on the market. Structural products covered by EN 1090 need to meet UK conformity requirements and carry the UKCA mark. In the EU, the CE mark is used instead.
In simple terms: EN 1090 provides a controlled system for ensuring that structural steel and aluminium components are consistently manufactured to the required specification and are suitable for their intended structural use.
Who needs to comply with EN 1090?
In the UK, where a structural component falls within the scope of the applicable construction product requirements, the manufacturer has legal obligations relating to the placing of that product on the market.
Companies that may need to comply include:
- Structural steel fabricators – manufacturing beams, columns, frames and other load-bearing components.
- Structural aluminium fabricators – manufacturing structural aluminium components.
- Manufacturers of structural assemblies – such as steel frames, platforms, stairs, walkways and structural supports.
- Companies manufacturing to customer drawings – where the resulting product is a structural component covered by EN 1090-1.
- Companies carrying out structural welding and fabrication – where their work forms part of an EN 1090 structural product.
- Manufacturers placing structural products on the market – where EN 1090-1 applies and conformity assessment is required.
What happens during an audit?
An audit is a structured check to confirm that your management system is working as intended and that you are meeting the requirements of the relevant standard.
During the audit, the auditor will typically:
- Review your procedures, records and other documented information against applicable requirements.
- Talk to employees to understand how processes work in practice.
- Follow activities through the business to check that what you do matches your documented system, verifying that the system is being consistently applied and it meets applicable requirements.
At the end of the audit, the auditor will provide a summary of the findings, including any non-conformities and areas where improvements may be beneficial.
An audit is not an inspection designed to catch people out. It is an independent check that your system is effective, meets the required standard and supports the way your business actually operates.
Do you provide training as well as consultancy?
Yes. Training can cover management-system awareness, internal auditing, compliance and bespoke topics tailored to your organisation.