MGB secures ISO upgrade

MANILA, Philippines — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has secured the latest International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification.

An attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the MGB passed the second surveillance and transition audit for its Quality Management System (QMS) certification from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015.

Launched on April 28, 2016, ISO 9001:2015 is the latest version of ISO quality management system.

The new ISO 9001:2015 focuses on the management’s commitment to the implementation and improvement of the QMS, while the older ISO 9001:2008 focuses on customer satisfaction and improvement.

The audit aims to determine conformity of the management system and recognize its ability to meet applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements.

It also targets to verify its effectiveness in ensuring that clients can reasonably expect to achieve specified objectives and determine the management system’s ability to identify areas for potential improvement.

The QMS certification covered the processing and approval of applications for exploration permit, environmental protection and enhancement program, and final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning plan, and geological and metallurgical laboratory services.

The new system guarantees a more efficient and effective scheme for the work processes of MGB.

ISO 9001:2015 certification also aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

The QMS is in compliance with executive order 605 and administrative order 161, which directs government agencies to institutionalize the structure, mechanisms, and standards to implement the Government Quality Management Program.

ISO is a worldwide federation that sets out globally recognized standards which help organizations and companies to be more efficient and effective.