The ISO 9000 series of standards is one of the most widely known and internationally recognised. ISO 9000 standards are implemented by some 600 000 organizations in 152 countries[1]. ISO 9000 has become an international reference for quality management requirements in business-to-business dealings, such as supply chains stretching across the globe.
The ISO 9000 family is primarily concerned with "quality management". This relates to what the organisation does to fulfil the customer's quality requirements and applicable regulatory requirements while aiming to enhance customer satisfaction and to achieve continual improvement of its performance in pursuit of these objectives.
One of the major strengths of ISO 9001 certification is its wider appeal for all types of organisation. Its focus on processes and customer satisfaction rather than procedures means it is equally applicable to service providers as manufacturers with greater emphasis on customer satisfaction, process management and measurement, and continual improvement.
There are numerous benefits associated with a certified ISO 9001 management system, for example: