ISO 9000

3. ISO 9001

3.1 ISO 9001 (or 'BS EN ISO 9001') is the internationally-agreed standard for effective quality systems.

ISO 9001 ensures that your quality system will maintain quality at a consistent level. (It is up to you to decide what that quality level should be in order to meet customer requirements and satisfaction).

• A quality system meeting ISO 9001 will cover the full range of activities that affect the customer.It will also include measures to ensure the smooth running of the quality system.
• A quality system based on ISO 9001 can be independently assessed to prove that it meets the standard (see 4).

3.2 ISO 9001 focuses on how your quality system should be managed.

• It sets out six procedures you must follow to achieve the standard.
• It requires that you document your systems.
• It involves a commitment to continual improvement.
• It requires full involvement from senior managers.

3.3 The main advantage of ISO 9001 is that it is a flexible and logical way to achieve a recognised standard system.

• The requirements of ISO 9001 may be more stringent than a basic 'in-house' quality system.For example, it is common for in-house systems to bypass internal audit procedures.
• Achieving ISO 9001 certification (see 4) shows that you are serious about quality.
• Many larger companies, in particular, are reassured by suppliers who have a quality system that is certificated to ISO 9001.This may be especially important if you want key supplier status.

3.4 Be aware of the costs involved. These include:

• Designing and introducing the system.
• Using the system.A poorly-designed system can be an expensive, bureaucratic nightmare (see 6).
• Certification and 'surveillance' visits.