ISO 9001:2000 was developed as an international standard to confirm that companies have established and maintained a uniform quality management system to better meet the needs of their customers. The standard covers design, development, production and service, and can be used by any business in any industry.

Using the Plan ? Do ? Check ? Act (PDCA) approach, ISO 9001 provides enterprises with the management tools to improve their business performance, such as defining policy and objectives, monitoring and measuring processes and product characteristics, specifying corrective and preventive actions and encouraging continuous improvement.
International experience has shown that significant business benefits are accrued by companies that comply with this standard, including the following.

• Complete customer satisfaction.
• Efficiency and productivity (minimising defect costs and optimising process sequences).
• Minimisation of risks in product liability.
• Reduced inspection and testing costs.
• Reduced costs through the minimisation of communication and manufacturing errors.
• Consistency of service or product performance.
• Increased motivation of employees due to fewer errors and complaints.
• Transparency through clearly defined processes.
• Continuous process and structural improvements.
• Identification and minimisation of weaknesses.

The securing of a competitive edge with an internationally recognised certificate.

The ISO 9001:2000 standard focuses on system processes, as opposed to elemental areas. The twenty elements of the now obsolete ISO 9001:1994 have been restructured into four major areas, or clauses, of ISO 9001:2000. This restructuring was carried out to provide a better and more logical sequencing of the requirements of the standard, and is intended to make the documentation easier to use. The standard is now divided into the following areas.

1. Management responsibility
2. Resource management
3. Product realization
4. Measurement, analysis and improvement

Together, these areas define what companies should consistently do to provide products that meet customer and statutory or regulatory requirements, and highlight that companies should seek to enhance customer satisfaction by improving their quality management system.

The requirements of ISO 9001:2000 are based on the following eight management principles that are reflected throughout the standard.

1. Customer focus.
2. Leadership.
3. Involvement of people.
4. Process approach.
5. Systematic approach to management.
6. Continual improvement.
7. Factual approach to decision making.
8. Mutually beneficial supplier relationship.

The standard is complemented by ISO 9004:2000, which gives guidance on performance improvement.

ISO 9001:2000 certification can only be granted by independent certification bodies, such as TÜV Rheinland. With our large team of experienced auditors that are located across the world, we offer value-added audits, internationally recognised certificates and a broad service portfolio. Contact us today for support on your path towards a certified management system.