Certification and integration of management systems - the experience of portuguese small and medium enterprises

Abstract

This paper presents a study of the impact of Integrated Management Systems (IMS) in the areas of Quality, Environment and Health and Safety (QES) in the workplace in small and medium Portuguese companies (SMEs). In this study it is used as reference the standard ISO 9001 in relation to the quality management system, ISO 14001 in relation to the environment management system and OHSAS 18001 for the occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). The method used to evaluate the implemented systems was a form of questionnaire to the companies, considering the fact that they had to have at least the quality management system certification and had to be a small or medium enterprise. It is discussed the reasons for the companies to subscribe certifications, the advantages attainable results and questions about the three systems. Finally is presented a summary table of the main benefits of QMS (Quality Management Systems) in the SMEs with 2 and 3 Certifications. It is discussed the possibility of having only one standard that will involve the three systems: Quality, Environment and Safety, as well, the advantages and disadvantages that a unique standard would give