The European Quality Award
The European Quality Award was established in 1991 to recognize and reward excellence in organizational performance. The award program is open to companies from all sectors, from small businesses to large multinationals, that demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and encourage excellent business practices. This award is now recognised as one of the most prestigious awards for quality in Europe and is highly sought after by many businesses in the region. With the right commitment and investment, earning the award can be an exclusive and influential achievement.
The criteria the European Quality Award is asking organizations to fulfill consists of management processes such as setting up and achieving clear objectives, setting up and following quality management processes, frequency and quality of staff training and monitoring customer satisfaction. Additionally, European Quality Award criteria also base itself on the level of assurance and trust companies have among their employees and customers, caring for the environment and encouraging international networks to support companies in their development.
Requirements to be eligible for the European Quality Award include being a European organization that is committed to quality improvement and management and can demonstrate their commitment in practice. Companies must also be able to present their business processes and methods for quality management, including how they meet the criteria set out by the European Quality Award.
The evaluation procedure for the European Quality Award is carried out over a number of stages and typically takes up to a year to complete. At each stage, the organization must submit detailed reports and evidence to support their application. The rigorous evaluation process involves assessing all the company enjoys, including their management systems, customer service, KPIs, sustainability and quality assurance systems. Once the evaluation is complete, a panel of industry experts reviews the evidence and decides whether the company meets all the criteria for the award.
The benefits of achieving the European Quality Award are numerous and include increased customer loyalty as well as prestigious recognition from peers and customers alike. Companies will also gain from increased employee morale as well as improved operational performance. Earning the award is also a powerful tool in ensuring competitive advantages in the marketplace and helping organizations build trust and credibility with their stakeholders.
In conclusion, obtaining the European Quality Award is an extremely rewarding achievement that provides organizations with praise and respect from the industry and partners. For those companies looking to demonstrate excellence in organizational performance and quality management, the European Quality Award is a great way to showcase their commitment and achievements. Along with all the benefits that an organization can gain from achieving the award, the process of applying can be a great opportunity to further improve their quality management practices and systems.
