FAQs: Plastics Quality Management
Why is quality management important in the plastics industry?
Plastic products continue to play a huge role in the makeup of commercial and retail products across the globe. Systematically managing quality enables those in plastic industries to deliver consistently safe and reliable products that comply with all applicable regulations and standards. Reliably producing defect-free plastic products that meet or exceed regulatory requirements and industry standards ensures customers and the greater public of a company’s reliability and commitment to quality, bolstering its reputation.
How does QMS software help plastic manufacturers maintain quality and compliance?
QMS software (eQMS) is an automated framework for managing quality and regulatory compliance. It standardizes, centralizes and integrates quality management processes, providing digital tools to monitor and manage testing, manufacturing and distribution. It captures and documents quality data and activity, providing easily accessible records. This improves tracking and traceability for streamlined, simpler regulatory compliance. QMS software can also help manage suppliers for better risk management and tackles many other operational and administrative quality tasks. An eQMS can connect departments, global offices, suppliers and customers, supporting greater collaboration and accuracy, minimizing risk and fostering continuous improvement.
What are the main regulatory guidelines followed by plastics manufacturers?
Manufacturers working in the plastics industry are subject to a variety of regulations that depend on a plastic product’s makeup and use. In general, plastics manufacturers rely on the standards outlined in ISO 9001:2016, a global set of standards developed by the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO). ISO 9001 uses a process-oriented approach to documenting and reviewing the structure, responsibilities and procedures required to obtain optimal quality. Other key standards applicable to the plastics industry include ISO 14001, which addresses environmental management systems, and ISO 45001, which establishes occupational health and safety management guidelines. Industry regulations may also be applicable, such as IATF 16949 in the automotive arena, ISO 13485 in the medical device industry, and AS9100 in the aerospace industry.
How can the plastic manufacturing industry benefit from an eQMS?
Investing in quality management helps prevent financial losses and contributes to the long-term profitability of a company. Automating quality and regulatory compliance with an eQMS brings a host of efficiencies to the plastics industry, including:
- Easier collaboration
- Reduced costs
- Faster time to market
- Better brand reputation
- Customer satisfaction
- Multi-site operations visibility
- Real-time data for reporting and analysis
- Simplified compliance management
Why choose QT9 QMS to automate your plastics quality management tasks?
With more than 25 modules that come standard, QT9 QMS excels at all of the processes the plastics industry needs for managing quality, including:
- Document Control
- Risk Management
- Audit Management
- Corrective Actions
- Supplier Management
- Employee Training
- Inspections
- Safety Incidents
QT9 QMS is a highly rated, easy-to-use and affordable quality management system based in the cloud for ultimate control and connection. QT9 QMS offers unlimited scalability and traceability, full customer support, an ERP integration and Business Intelligence tool to help visualize and make informed decisions using real-time data.
