Wilkshire Consulting Blog

At Wilkshire Consulting, we often meet organizations that proudly earned ISO 9001 certification — only to struggle, stall, or fail during their first surveillance audit. The pattern is surprisingly consistent. The initial certification audit goes well. The certificate is issued. Celebration follows. Then, somewhere between Month 6 and Year 1, momentum fades. Processes drift. Leadership attention shifts. Documentation becomes outdated. By the time the surveillance audit arrive

(A Wilkshire Consulting Long-Form Guide) Management Review is one of the most scrutinized — and frequently misunderstood — requirements in ISO 9001. Many organizations treat it as a once-a-year meeting designed to “check a box,” but auditors expect something very different. A strong Management Review isn’t just documentation. It’s evidence that leadership is actively engaged in the Quality Management System (QMS) and using data to make informed, strategic decisions. At Wilks

At Wilkshire Consulting, one of the most common things we hear after an ISO 9001 audit is: We didn’t expect those findings.” The reality is that most ISO 9001 nonconformities are predictable and preventable . Certification bodies see the same issues repeatedly across industries — from manufacturing and construction to service providers and IT organizations. Understanding where companies typically fail gives you a powerful advantage. In this article, we’ll walk through the mo

Earning your R2v3 certification is a major achievement — but many companies fail to capitalize on it. R2v3 is more than a compliance badge; it’s one of the strongest marketing tools in the recycling and ITAD industry. If you leverage it correctly, you can win more enterprise contracts, increase pricing power, and stand out in a crowded market. Here’s how to turn your R2v3 certification into a competitive edge.   1. Update Your Website with a Dedicated “R2v3 Certified” Page Mo

Achieving R2v3 certification is a major milestone for electronics recyclers, refurbishers, and ITAD providers. But many organizations underestimate what it truly takes to implement the standard correctly. At Wilkshire Consulting, we’ve guided dozens of companies through R2v3 — and almost all of them run into the same avoidable mistakes  along the way. If you can identify and prevent these issues early, you’ll reduce cost, avoid delays, and move toward certification with confi

At Wilkshire Consulting, we work with recyclers, ITAD companies, and refurbishers across North America who often ask the same question:  “How do we actually make money with R2v3 certification?”   It’s a fair question. R2v3 certification requires investment — in systems, training, safety, and traceability. But when implemented strategically, it can do far more than help you pass an audit. It can unlock multiple revenue streams , increase customer trust, and position your busin

At Wilkshire Consulting, we often tell clients: Leadership sets the direction, but Support builds the foundation. In ISO 9001, Clause 7— Support —is where the organization’s strategy and systems come to life. It ensures that people, resources, communication, and knowledge all work together to sustain a high-performing Quality Management System (QMS). Without strong support structures, even the best-designed processes can fail. Clause 7 ensures that your organization has the i

When organizations pursue ISO 9001 certification, they often focus on documentation, audits, and process control. But one of the most critical—and sometimes underestimated—requirements lies at the very top: leadership . ISO 9001:2015 places strong emphasis on leadership because a Quality Management System (QMS) can only be effective if senior management actively drives its success. Clause 5, titled “Leadership,”  sets the tone for how an organization aligns its strategy, cult

As the electronics recycling and IT asset disposition (ITAD) industry continues to grow, the expectations placed on certified recyclers are increasing. With the shift from R2:2013 to R2v3 , one area has become even more critical to certification: a strong Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS)  program. In 2025 and beyond, companies that fail to implement and maintain an effective EHS management system risk more than nonconformities — they risk losing their certification, da

When it comes to implementing ISO 9001:2015, Clause 8 Operation is where strategy becomes action. While earlier clauses establish the framework of your Quality Management System (QMS)—like leadership, planning, and support—Clause 8 focuses on the actual delivery of products and services . This is the heart of quality management: ensuring the processes you’ve carefully planned are controlled, consistent, and capable of meeting customer requirements. Understanding this clause

The electronics recycling industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, but it also comes with significant environmental,...

In today's globalized world, managing e-waste responsibly doesn't end once electronics leave your facility. The risks of improper...

For more than three decades, ISO 9001 has been the world's most recognized Quality Management System (QMS) standard, helping...

The global demand for electronics is higher than ever, but so is the amount of e-waste generated each year. According to the United...

In today's digital-first world, data is one of the most valuable and vulnerable assets. Every device recycled or refurbished by an IT...

The electronics recycling industry is evolving faster than ever. With global e-waste projected to exceed 75 million metric tons annually...

When organizations think of ISO 9001:2015, calibration may not be the first topic that comes to mind. Yet, calibration is one of the most...

Equipment maintenance might not always be the first thing people think of when discussing ISO 9001, but it plays a vital role in ensuring...

As technology continues to reshape how businesses operate, ISO standards are evolving to meet the demands of a digital-first economy....

In today's highly competitive and regulated marketplace, manufacturers face increasing pressure to ensure quality, manage risk, and meet...

Gaining ISO certification is a major milestone for any organization. It demonstrates a commitment to quality, efficiency, and continuous...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant frontier – its powering everything from healthcare diagnostics to financial...