The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) received its International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2015) recertification from global leader for inspection services TÜV Rheinland on 22 January 2022.

In the recertification audit last November 2021, TUV Rheinland Lead Auditor Eric Santos announced that RITM completed the audit with zero nonconformity and maintained an effective management system compliant to international standards of product and service quality.

“This recertification testifies that we are capable of practicing and sustaining the culture of quality in all of our endeavors despite extraordinary times,” said RITM Quality Assurance Office (QAO) Head Dr. Edison Alberto.

To cope with the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic response, RITM transitioned to virtual platforms for the conduct of routine quality management system activities such as the Internal Quality Audit and Management Review.

“Everything was done virtually. This just shows how all of us here at RITM are committed to the continuous improvement of our organizational efficiency and provision of services to stakeholders,” said Dr. Alberto as he emphasized how shifting to online initiatives enabled the Institute to persistently adhere to the requirements while ensuring the safety and welfare of the employees.

Based on quality management principles, ISO 9001 sets out the criteria for strong customer focus, top management motivation and implication, process approach, and continual improvement.

RITM received its first ISO 9001:2008 certification in 2014 and complied with ISO 9001:2015 in 2017. The Institute was set for recertification in 2020 but was postponed for a year due to the pandemic.

The Institute’s ISO 9001: 2015 recertification is valid until 2025.

by Allenor Enciso, Communication and Engagement Office