iso9000, iso9000:2000, iso14000, iso9000 Explained, Centre for ISO9000

FAQ 4

Q Is ISO9000 about making good products?

A Contrary to popular belief, ISO 9000 is not concerned with how to make well-engineered products or supply a high-class service. Rather, it is about having a framework which enables you to meet your Customer's requirements and continually improving your systems for supplying the product or service that you produce. In many cases organisations without ISO 9000 may control the process of manufacture, but may not adequately control some of the supporting functions, such as:

ensuring that correct raw materials or support services are procured;
ensuring that inspection tasks are adequately defined and conducted by trained persons;
always using equipment which is up to the task;
(whether manufacturing, testing or measuring)
ensuring that the information gained from rejects and other problems is properly analysed
(so as to ensure that the mistakes are not repeated)

Although the requirements of ISO 9000 can be seen as rather demanding, the benefits from operating the system should far outweigh the extra work involved. It is, after all, a mark of excellence, and is not awarded lightly.

Remember, ISO9000 is solely concerned with how well your organisation's services/products meet the requirements and unstated expectations of its customers.

Everything in the standard revolves around this!