ISO 9000 Certification: A Guide to Quality Management Systems

Learn about ISO 9000 certification and the requirements for quality management systems (QMS). This guide explains the different ISO 9000 standards, the certification process, and the benefits of achieving ISO 9000 certification for demonstrating organizational commitment to quality.

ISO 9000 Certification: A Guide to Quality Management Systems

Introduction to ISO 9000 Standards

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from 168 countries. The ISO 9000 family of standards defines requirements for quality management systems (QMS). These standards provide a framework for organizations to ensure their products and services consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. ISO 9000 focuses on the processes used to create products, not directly on the product's characteristics themselves.

Types of ISO 9000 Standards

The ISO 9000 series includes different standards tailored to various organizational contexts:

  • ISO 9001: Applies to organizations involved in the design, development, production, installation, and servicing of products. This is the most commonly used standard and is applicable to many software development organizations.
  • ISO 9002: Applies to organizations involved only in production (not design). It is not generally applicable to software development.
  • ISO 9003: Applies to organizations involved only in final inspection and testing.

Obtaining ISO 9000 Certification

To obtain ISO 9000 certification, an organization must go through a process with an accredited registrar. The process generally involves:

  1. Application: Submitting an application to a registrar.
  2. Pre-assessment: An initial assessment of the organization's QMS.
  3. Document Review: The registrar reviews the organization's documentation and identifies areas for improvement.
  4. Compliance Audit: The registrar verifies that the organization has addressed the identified areas for improvement.
  5. Registration: Upon successful completion of the audit, the registrar grants ISO 9000 certification.
  6. Ongoing Surveillance: The registrar conducts periodic audits to ensure continued compliance.