ISO 9001:2000 - Quality Management Systems

Purpose:

The ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems (QMS) Standard is primarily concerned with ‘Quality Management’ issues. It is a generic standard, and as such can be applied to any size or type of organisation, whatever its product or service, in any sector of activity, and whether it is a business enterprise, a public agency or government department.

The reference to ‘Management System’ refers to what the organisation does to manage its processes, or activities in order that its products or services meet its set objectives for example:

satisfying its customers’ quality requirements, or
complying with regulations.

Usage:

ISO 9001 is the most widely adopted standard in the world. The ISO estimates there are currently 760,000 companies with ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 certifications in 154 different countries. There has been a marked increase in certifications within the last few years and the trend seems likely to continue at a faster pace than before driven by increased levels of international trade, reduced trading barriers and enlargements within harmonised markets such as the EU.

Compliance:

Compliance with the ISO 9001 Standard requires companies to undertake internal audits and undergo regular external assessment and audits of their Quality Management System by a certification body in order to gain certification.

Benefits:

Although ISO 9001 certification is not a legal requirement, most companies opt to achieve certification for key business reasons including:

improvements in organisations efficiency and effectiveness
enhanced customer satisfaction
lower costs and wastage
increased sales and profits
competitive advantage over rivals
requirement within ‘invitations to tender’
requirement within ‘supply chains’