News: Chemonics Achieves ISO 9001 Certification

Chemonics developed this system, and then sought ISO 9001 certification, to ensure the firm delivers high-quality services and products to its clients through clear and consistent business processes.

Det Norske Veritas (DNV), a recognized ISO audit firm, delivered the management system certification. This means Chemonics’ project management approach has been codified in accordance with the international ISO 9001: 2008 standard.

Since its founding in 1975, Chemonics has been known for the priority it places on delivering outstanding client service. President and CEO Richard Dreiman underscored this history in announcing the milestone. He said, “In this, our 35th anniversary year, attaining the ISO 9001 certification for our Quality Management System underscores our ongoing journey as a business that continually strives to do our work better and to make a difference in peoples’ lives worldwide.”

Chemonics formally launched its Quality Management System in early 2010, following a company-wide effort to document corporate best practices in delivering high-quality services. The system, which is used by all employees, builds on the firm’s commitment to continual improvement, which is the bedrock of the ISO 9001 approach to quality management.

Chemonics’ Quality Management System takes a systematic approach to continual improvement, allowing clients, staff, and other partners to offer suggestions on ways to improve business processes. The firm documents and responds to all suggestions (whether implemented or not). It constantly incorporates ideas from across the organization and clients as part of the focus on meeting client needs and supporting field offices.

ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized standard for implementing a Quality Management System. It defines the requirements an organization’s management system must meet, but does not dictate how they should be met. This allowed Chemonics to develop its QMS in line with the unique needs of an international development firm.

Achieving ISO 9001 certification is a logical continuation of the work Chemonics has conducted on development programs through the years. Notably, Chemonics has assisted local beneficiaries on several private sector development projects in obtaining ISO 9001 certifications.

“Our certification puts us in the unique position of practicing what we preach in terms of quality services with our local development partners,” Dreiman said. “As well, the systematic approach to continual improvement that is a fundamental element of our quality management system ensures we will be able to satisfy the needs of our clients today and into the future.”