Banks of Armenia interested in certification of quality management
systems

2009-03-10 17:41:00

ArmInfo. The banks of Armenia are interested in certification of the
quality management systems, Chief Auditor of TUV Group representation
in Lebanon and Armenia Krikor Tchifjyan, being in Yerevan, told
ArmInfo. He introduced his assessment of the Armenian banks’ interest
in receiving a certificate of compliance of the bank quality management
system with requirements of ISO 9001 international standard.

According to the auditor’s assessment, the banks’ interest in
development and implementation of the quality management systems is
explained by the bank’s aspiration to render high-quality services to
their clients in conditions of the intensifying competition in the
banking sector of Armenia. He also said the compliance certificate is
required for the banks to confirm the bank’s ability to provide the
services meeting the clients’ requirements, as well as the requirements
of the legislation and the regulatory authorities.

He also said that standard ISO 9001:2008 is a guide which makes it
possible for organizations to optimize all the business processes
directed to satisfaction of the clients’ demands and ensuring
effectiveness of their activity. The idea of control and permanent
improvement of quality is based on such principles as orientation to
consumer, leadership, involvement of workers, the processing
approach, the systemized approach to management, endless improvement,
approach to adoption of decisions on the basis of facts and mutually
beneficial relations with suppliers.

At the same time he said that TUV Group, being one of the leading
international companies, has great experience in many countries of the
world, including Armenia. About 10 companies that got certificates of
TUV Group in Armenia, represent various spheres of economy, including
the financial sector.

Comparing privileges of the ISO 9001 certificate, given by the TUV
Group with certificates of other companies, he mentioned distinct work
peculiar to German companies and their authority in Europe and out of
it.

The goal of the auditor’s visit to Yerevan was to conduct a certified
audit of the quality management of Ameriabank CJSC for conformance to
the standard ISO 9001:2008. In case of a positive result, the bank may
become the first company in Armenia to be certified by the new standard
ISO 9001:2008 announced in November 2008 to replace ISO 9001:2000.

K. Tchifjyan brought the key differences of the new standard ISO
9001:2008 from ISO 9001:2000: extension of the product conception
including any result of the product sales (services); changed
approach to the structure of required documents; additional requirement
to taking measures adequate to the potential and real consequences in
case of revealing nonconforming products after
consumption or provision; as well as toughened requirements to
outsourcing organization and control at companies. TUV Group
(Technischer Uberwachungsverein – "Union of Technical Inspection
Groups) is one of the leading international companies engaged in
certification, consulting, and education. TUV’s annual turnover exceed
1.27 billion euro (1/5 of the company’s turnover is outside Germany).
The company has a strong position of leader among similar companies in
the European Union. TUV Group has over 500 service centers and
representations in Europe, the USA and Asia.