Introduction
This article contains highlights from our September newsletter; read on to find out more about:
- How to get 25% off new applications for certification
- The benefits of using a UKAS-accredited Conformity Assessment Body.
- Some tips to help you improve your quality management system (QMS).
- The confirmed changes to the ISO 9001 standard.
- An update on Make UK’s regional manufacturing outlook.
UKMB updates and advice
Get 25% off New Certifications
With business costs rising and profit margins being squeezed, we know that achieving the correct certification for your weighing and measuring instruments and the important ISO 9001 certification can seem costly. Those rising costs also exist against a backdrop of increased regulatory and compliance pressures.
When we set up the UKMB, one of our aims was to make the process of achieving certification as simple and as cost-effective as possible. As a result, we are currently offering a 25% discount on all of the certifications we offer. These are:
- ISO 9001
- NAWI Module D & Module D1
- MIR Module A2, Module D, Module D1, Module E1
- Weights & Measures Act 1985, Section 11A.
Please note that the discount is only applicable to new applications for certification and not to those who have already achieved certification. To receive the discount, you will need to submit your application by 31st March 2027 and have your audit completed by 30th September 2027.
To find out more about becoming UKMB certified, you can send us an email, give us a call or visit our website. You can also read more about our 12-step process to achieving UKMB certification by clicking here.
Why Choose a UKAS Accredited Conformity Assessment Board (CAB) for your ISO 9001 Certification?
Knowing who to choose to provide your certification(s) can be tricky, not to mention time-consuming; after all, there are plenty of companies that appear to offer certification services that aren’t accredited by UKAS.
However, ‘UKAS is the only accreditation body recognised by the government to assess certification bodies against internationally recognised standards that ensure the certification body is fit for purpose. UKAS combines technical knowledge and expertise with commercial impartiality and a requirement to serve the public interest first’.
Choosing a UKAS-accredited body such as ourselves for your ISO 9001 certification is beneficial for the following reasons:
1) Guaranteed competence: We are regularly assessed by UKAS to ensure we can offer the technical quality and that our auditors and technical team meet their quality standards.
2) Global recognition: Your certificates will be recognised globally, helping you access global markets and boost your profit margin.
3) Winning new business: Many organisations will only work with suppliers who have UKAS-accredited certifications. Not having this in place can put you at a distinct disadvantage and may mean you need to go through another audit to become UKAS-accredited at a later date.
4) Impartial expert advice: An accredited body will be able to help you identify opportunities for improvement, explain the meaning of the certification criteria, and provide examples of best practice.
5) Peace of mind: By choosing a UKAS-accredited certification body, you will know that your certification will comply with marketplace regulations and that you will be audited to the highest possible standard. Ensuring you can create a culture of continuous improvement.
‘We worked with Paul and his team to transfer our ISO9001: 2015 and NAWI-Module D certifications from our previous certification body to UKMB. We found the whole process to be easy and efficient, with great communication. UKMB managed the transfer, audits, and re-certification across multiple locations on time and in a professional manner. We were particularly impressed by their speed of response, as the deadline we needed to meet was very short. We would not hesitate to recommend UKMB to anyone in the weighing industry who needs help with their certifications.
Tim Harris, Chief Operating Officer | Adam Equipment Co. Ltd
How to improve your quality management systems (QMS)
For many years, compliance has been monitored periodically through scheduled internal audits and third-party audits. Recent research from Tacton highlights increased complexity in products and manufacturing processes, driven by modern technologies, the need for more bespoke solutions, and consumer demands. Whilst it’s important to keep up with market demand, increased complexity means more room for error and increased pressure on people, systems and processes.
Having robust quality systems in place that are joined up, widely understood internally, and regularly tested will help you to identify errors in advance, remain compliant with marketplace regulations and create a culture of continuous improvement.
Here are our recommendations for improving and implementing changes to your quality management system (QMS):
1) Analyse what you already have: Do you have multiple systems in place? What are your strengths and weaknesses, and who needs to be involved in the process? Being able to answer these questions will help you identify the areas you need to focus on.
2) Identify the resources you will need: Discuss your existing processes with your senior leadership team, staff who are involved in the processes and customers. This will help you to truly understand where the gaps in your process lie.
3) Make a plan: Now you know what you need to do. You can make a plan: think about who and what needs to be involved, as well as the cost and the time required. Make sure your plan is as realistic as possible.
4) Educate your people: Getting buy-in from the people in your organisation is key to change and improvement. Explain why you are making the proposed changes, when this will happen and how it will benefit them.
5) Document the proposed system and process: Keep everything in writing and make sure it is easily accessible and stored centrally. Flow charts and visual representations are often easier for people to follow.
6) Test your new process: The best QMS is the one that actually works, so make sure you test the system and ensure it does exactly what you need it to, prior to a full rollout.
7) Embed the system: Now you can begin to embed the system and start to measure the impact it has on your processes and procedures. Remember to continuously review the system to check that it is improving quality.
Once you have reviewed, prepared and embedded an improved QMS, you’ll want to prove that you consistently deliver high-quality products and services. As a UKAS-accredited Conformity Assessment Body, we can help you achieve that all-important ISO 9001 certification as well as the correct marketplace certifications for your weighing and measuring instruments. You can submit your application for certification by clicking here.
Industry News
Make UK’s Q3: Manufacturing Outlook
Earlier this month, Make UK published their quarterly manufacturing outlook against the backdrop of a new government that has reopened the conversation about reindustrialising Britain for economic growth.
The good news is that for the first time since July 2025, manufacturers’ confidence in the UK economy has improved, but according to the report, this is a cautious optimism that will only improve if the government can turn ‘…that fragile optimism into sustained growth by tackling the costs and barriers that prevent manufacturers from investing, employing and expanding’. Stephen Phipson, Make UK.
Key highlights from the report are as follows:
1) Confidence amongst manufacturers has improved, and although output has slowed, the number of orders is encouraging and is well above the averages seen in 2022-2023.
2) Recruitment has slowed due to the skills gap and concerns about high employment costs, the costs of energy and the changes coming from the Employment Rights Act.
3) Many businesses are increasing their prices on a quarterly basis; however, profit margins are still squeezed due to rising energy costs, market uncertainties, and other operational overheads continue to squeeze profit margins.
4) Make UK, alongside manufacturers, is calling for support for manufacturers in the upcoming Autumn budget to offset rising costs and provide energy relief.
To read the full report, you can do so by clicking here.
Confirmed changes for ISO 9001: 2026
We have been working hard behind the scenes to update to the revised ISO 9001 standard, published on 16th September 2026. The good news is that the revised standard is not radically different from the certification requirements set out in the 2015 standard.
If you are wondering when you need to be certified under the new standard, it won’t be until September 2029, as the new standard’s release marks the start of a 3-year transition period. The first part of this transition is that all certification bodies, including ourselves, will need to be formally assessed by UKAS to ensure that we are fully prepared and can competently certify to the new standard.
To find out more about the confirmed changes to the requirements, you can read our article by clicking here.
The certifications we offer
We do hope you have enjoyed reading this extract from our monthly newsletter.
Please note that we are now taking bookings for the following UKAS-accredited certifications.
ISO 9001, UKCA and CE+UKNI, covering the following Modules and Standards:
- NAWI Module D & Module D1
- MIR Module A2, Module D, Module D1, Module E1
- Weights & Measures Act 1985, Section 11A.
If you do have any questions about any of these certifications, or if you would like to submit an application for certification, then do get in touch. Subject to the scope of the audit, we aim to have you certified in as little as 4-6 weeks.