What are the benefits of ISO9001:2000?

ISO9001:2000 is a business management system and a process-orientated quality management system standard.

What does it do?

• Ensures that a customer's order is received, processed and despatched to the customer's satisfaction
• Ensures traceability throughout the process
• Ensures conformance to appropriate manufacturing standards
• Ensures a customer focus

What does it require?

• Customer input at all stages of the process, including design
• A customer complaints system
• Total management involvement
• Active staff participation in key processes - 360 degree communication
• Systematic management

How does it differ from ISO9001/2/3?

• It is a business management system as opposed to a quality management system
• It is competency based, not procedures based - minimum of only 6 procedures required
• It is less bureaucratic and very flexible
• It promotes Continuous Improvement, rather than a reason not to do something
• It takes a more realistic and holistic approach

What are the benefits?

• Increases efficiency
• Increases effectiveness
• Reduces costs
• Encourages the company to use professional management systems within their business
• Promotes development
• Moves the company towards world class quality standards
• It is an internationally recognised standard

What company personnel involvement is required?

• The period required to attain registration is usually around 6 months
• The MD's involvement would be about 3 days - covering the Company Vision, Quality Statement and input to the Quality Manual
• The Management Team, including Sales Department, would be required for about 1 - 2 days
• Other Staff would be required to spend varying amounts of time depending on their level of involvement, and including a training session