ISO 9001 ensures that senior management can take a strategic approach to our management systems giving us a competitive advantage. Our ongoing assessments and certification process ensure that the business objectives constantly feed into our processes and working practices. ISO 9001:

• Improves business performance and manages business risk, ISO 9001 helps us manage and to raise the company's performance above and beyond competitors who aren't using a management systems. Certification also makes it easier to measure performance and better manage business risk.
• Attracts investment, enhances brand reputation and removes barriers to trade, certification to ISO 9001 boosts our company's brand reputation and can be a useful promotional tool. It sends a clear message to all interested parties that we are a company committed to high standards and continual improvement.
• Saves us money, evidence shows that the financial benefits for companies that have invested in and certified their quality management systems to ISO 9001 include operational efficiencies, increased sales, higher return on assets and greater profitability.
• Streamlines operations and reduces waste, the continued assessment of our quality management system focuses on operating processes. This encourages organisations to improve the quality of products and the service provided and helps to reduces waste and customer complaints.
• Encourages internal communication and raises morale, ISO 9001 ensures that employees feel more involved through improved communication. Continued Assessment visits can highlight any skills shortages sooner and uncover any teamwork issues.
• Increases customer satisfaction with the 'Plan, Do, Check, Act' structure of ISO 9001 ensures that the needs of the customer are being considered and met.

Certification to ISO 14001 which allows us to:

• Demonstrate a commitment to achieving legal and regulatory compliance to regulators and government;
• Demonstrate our environmental commitment to stakeholders;
• Demonstrate an innovative and forward thinking approach to customers and prospective employees;
• Increase our access to new customers and business partners;
• Better manage our environmental risks, now and in the future;
• Potentially reduce public liability insurance costs;
• Reduce operational costs through reduced energy consumption and use of natural resources;
• Reduce fines and clean-up costs.

By certifying our OHSAS 18001 management system we are able to prove that it conforms to the specification and provides the following benefits:

• Potential reduction in the number of accidents;
• Potential reduction in downtime and associated costs;
• Demonstration of legal and regulatory compliance;
• Demonstration to stakeholders of your commitment to health and safety;
• Demonstration of an innovative and forward thinking approach;
• Increased access to new customers and business partners;
• Better management of health and safety risks, now and in the future;
• Potential reduced public liability insurance costs;
• Helps us to be protected against prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter & Homicide Act.

Certifying our ISMS against ISO/IEC 27001 has brought the following abilities and benefits to our company:

• Demonstrates the independent assurance of our internal controls and meets corporate governance and business continuity requirements;
• Independently demonstrates that applicable laws and regulations are observed;
• Provides a competitive edge by meeting contractual requirements and demonstrating to our customers that the security of their information is paramount;
• Independently verifies that our company's risks are properly identified, assessed and managed, while formalising information security processes, procedures and documentation;
• Proves our senior management's commitment to the security of its information;
• The regular assessment process helps us to continually monitor our performance and improve.

As all organisations must make sure that they comply with the Data Protection Act, we are happy to comply with our obligations and have registered with the Information Commissioner's Office accordingly.

• Fairly and lawfully processed;
• Processed for limited purposes;
• Adequate, relevant and not excessive;
• Accurate and up to date;
• Not kept for longer than is necessary;
• Processed in line with your rights;
• Secure;
• Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection.

The Two Ticks symbol is awarded by the Jobcentre Plus to recognise employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people.

The North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce was founded over 80 years ago for the purpose of watching over and protecting local trade interests. It now covers the whole range of industry and commerce. The North & Western Lancashire Chamber is part of the British Chambers of Commerce.