What is ISO 9000?
ISO 9000 is a series of standards for the management of quality systems in almost any type of organization. Manufacturers, distributors, service agencies, or even design firms can achieve ISO 9000 certification which some customers require of their suppliers. In addition, some European directives and agencies require that manufacturers maintain a certified
ISO 9000 system. This too ensures that safety requirements are adhered to through the design,
production, and distribution phases of the product.
The key requirements of ISO 9001:2000 include
the following:
• A documented quality system (i.e. quality manual and procedures)
• An internal audit system to verify compliance with
the documented quality system, and that the processes are effective
• A corrective and preventive action system to ensure compliance is maintained
By now, most manufacturers are familiar with the ISO 9000 standards. This series of standards was
first introduced in 1987 and was revised in 1994
and 2000.
The ISO 9000 standards are published by the ISO (International Standards Organization), located
in Geneva, Switzerland. |
