ISO 9000 is a set of international standards on quality management and quality assurance developed to help companies effectively document the quality system elements needed to maintain an efficient quality system (ASQ, n.d.). These standards are not specific to any one industry and can be applied to organizations of any size (ASQ, n.d.).
Key Facts
- Definition: ISO 9000 is a set of international standards on quality management and quality assurance developed to help companies effectively document the quality system elements needed to maintain an efficient quality system.
- Applicability: ISO 9000 standards are not specific to any one industry and can be applied to organizations of any size.
- ISO 9001: ISO 9001 is the portion of ISO 9000 that consists of action items for a business or other organization that seeks ISO certification.
- Benefits: Gaining ISO 9000 certification can provide several benefits, including increased confidence from consumers and stakeholders, holding a competitive edge, and obtaining greater ease in meeting government-mandated regulations.
- ISO 9000 Standards: The ISO 9000 family of standards includes ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems—Requirements), ISO 9000:2015 (Quality Management Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary), ISO 9004:2009 (Quality Management Systems—Managing for the Sustained Success of an Organization), and ISO 19011:2011 (Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems).
ISO 9001: The Actionable Portion of ISO 9000
ISO 9001 is the portion of ISO 9000 that consists of action items for a business or other organization that seeks ISO certification (Investopedia, 2022). Organizations that receive certification are being recognized as meeting ISO 9001. Obtaining that certification is a process that takes over a year and requires substantial documentation to demonstrate conformity with the standards (Investopedia, 2022).
Benefits of ISO 9000 Certification
Gaining ISO 9000 certification can provide several benefits, including:
- Increased confidence from consumers and stakeholders
- Holding a competitive edge
- Obtaining greater ease in meeting government-mandated regulations (ISO, 2015)
ISO 9000 Standards
The ISO 9000 family of standards includes:
- ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems—Requirements)
- ISO 9000:2015 (Quality Management Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary)
- ISO 9004:2009 (Quality Management Systems—Managing for the Sustained Success of an Organization)
- ISO 19011:2011 (Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems) (ISO, 2015)
Conclusion
ISO 9000 is a comprehensive set of standards that can help organizations of all sizes improve their quality management systems. By implementing ISO 9000 standards, organizations can gain a number of benefits, including increased customer satisfaction, improved efficiency, and reduced costs.
FAQs
What is ISO 9000?
ISO 9000 is a set of international standards on quality management and quality assurance developed to help companies effectively document the quality system elements needed to maintain an efficient quality system.
What is the purpose of ISO 9000?
The purpose of ISO 9000 is to help organizations improve the quality of their products and services and consistently meet their customers’ expectations.
What are the benefits of ISO 9000 certification?
Benefits of ISO 9000 certification include increased confidence from consumers and stakeholders, holding a competitive edge, and obtaining greater ease in meeting government-mandated regulations.
What are the ISO 9000 standards?
The ISO 9000 family of standards includes ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems—Requirements), ISO 9000:2015 (Quality Management Systems—Fundamentals and Vocabulary), ISO 9004:2009 (Quality Management Systems—Managing for the Sustained Success of an Organization), and ISO 19011:2011 (Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems).
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is the portion of ISO 9000 that consists of action items for a business or other organization that seeks ISO certification.
How do I get ISO 9000 certified?
To get ISO 9000 certified, an organization must implement the quality management recommendations contained in ISO 9000, conduct an internal audit or obtain the services of an external auditor to evaluate its compliance with the standards, and then call in an organization that is authorized to review its compliance and issue certification.
What are the requirements of ISO 9000?
The requirements of ISO 9000 address the fundamentals of quality management in any organization. They specify in detail the standards that must be met throughout the process of planning, producing, and delivering a product or service.
What is the difference between ISO 9000 and ISO 14000?
ISO 9000 is a set of standards for quality management, while ISO 14000 is a set of standards for environmental management. ISO 9000 is designed to help organizations improve the quality of their products and services, while ISO 14000 is designed to help organizations reduce their environmental impact.