What is ISO?
ISO (International Standardization Organization) is a network of standards institutes from 159 countries with a central office in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. ISO is a non-governmental organization that forms a bridge between the public and private sectors, and is the largest standards organization in the world. Many of its member institutes are part of the governmental structure of their countries, or are mandated by their government. Some members have their roots uniquely in the private sector, having been set up by national partnerships of industry associations.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001:2008 is part of the ISO 9000 family of standards, and is the document that lists the requirements an organization must comply with to become ISO 9001 Registered. ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized QMS (Quality Management System.)
ISO 9001 does NOT define the actual quality of your product or service. The standard helps you achieve consistent results and continually improve the process. Thus, if you can make a good product most of the time, this helps you make it ALL of the time. It's just good business practices.
ISO 9001 Certified?
ISO 9001 Certified means an organization has met the requirements in ISO 9001. It defines an ISO 9000 Quality Management System (QMS.)
What is QMS?
Quality Management System (QMS) is a set of policies, processes and procedures required for planning and execution (production, development, service) in the core business area of an organization. (i.e. areas that can impact the organization's ability to meet customer requirements.) ISO 9001:2008 is an example of a Quality Management System.
What are the benefits of ISO?
- Increased Efficiency
- Increased Revenue
- Increased Employee Moral
- International Recognition
- Factual Approach to Decision Making
- Supplier Relationships
- Everything is Documented