Every three years, the UNTHA UK team must undergo a rigorous on-site recertification audit for our three standards – ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environmental), and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety).

And following the latest four-day inspection, we’re delighted to announce that we passed with flying colours. The auditors raised zero non-conformances, observations, or areas for improvement – it was a clean sheet!

Given the credibility of the accreditations, the audit is an exercise that UNTHA UK – and the assessors – take extremely seriously. Our visitors worked their way through each department in the business, measuring what we do – plus the processes and systems we have in place – against the many criteria the standards outline.

When it comes to health and safety, for example, they explored everything – from our PAT testing to the servicing of tools, fire alarms and the boiler, as well as our asbestos reports, fire drills, first aid kits, welfare facilities, our compliance with legal obligations, skills and competencies, staff training, and more.

Of course, the list is equally as detailed for the environmental and quality ‘badges’ we hold. From risk registers to job descriptions, no stone was left unturned. And we had to not only verbally describe and demonstrate how we comply, but showcase documented evidence too.

Praising the team for the continued hard work that went into the recertification success, managing director Marcus Brew explained: “We have a continued improvement philosophy at UNTHA UK, but it would be easy to just pay lip service to that.

“What we’ve seen over the last couple of years though – as our team has worked even more closely together – is that everyone now understands the importance of well-managed and maintained systems and processes, which go some way to making our working lives better. The support that everyone gives this, makes a real difference to us, and our success.”

Quality manager Marie Dransfield added: “Our UNTHA Management System is the bedrock of our ISO certifications. This ensures we track our performance and behaviour against the standard criteria, all the time, while building on existing procedures to keep pushing forward.

“So, while it is still a little nerve-wracking when the auditors come to visit, that’s really because we just want to do ourselves justice. Truthfully, we know we’ve lived and breathed the standards throughout the year – they’re far more than simply pieces of paper to us.”

Offering a concluding thought regarding the gravitas of the achievement, in context, Marcus added: “It’s amazing that, despite the challenges associated with emerging from the pandemic, and Brexit – not to mention the current economic backdrop – we have still made improvements, while growing as a business. 

“Marie and her team, work hard – usually in the background – to ensure we can support our growth internally and in the market. This ultimate seal of ISO approval is deserved recognition of that work – and shows just how robust our systems are becoming.”