ISO 9000: A QUALITY SYSTEM
Today consumer is not quantity oriented but quality oriented instead.
Hence, for consumer's satisfaction, the manufacturers are focusing on quality products. The quality of particular product is determined by the ISO, whose certification is of great importance.
A 'quality system' is a mechanism by which a company can organize and manage its resources to achieve, sustain and improve quality economically.
ISO 9000 QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
It is looked at as a system with minimum quality requirements.
A quality system is a mechanism by which a company can organize and manage its resources to achieve, sustain and improve quality economically.
Benefits of ISO 9000 quality system:
- It enables the user to identify and plan tasks and their method of performance.
- It provides the means of identifying and resolving problems and preventing their reoccurrence, thereby improving conformance.
- It cuts down the poor quality cost.
- It generates objective evidence to demonstrate the quality of products and the effectiveness of the systems and thus builds up confidence among customers.
- This standard demands training for all personnel performing activities effecting quality and hence improved performance.
- Reduces fire-fighting operations and better job satisfaction.
- Registration to ISO 9000 is a necessary prerequisite in different countries.
- It is not a product standard and hence can be used for any type of industry and for companies employing very few persons as well as whose work force runs in to thousands.
- Has marketing advantages, recognition and publicity & Reduces liability risks
ESSENTIAL STEPS TO ISO 9000
- Acceptance by top management of quality as a vital element in the business
- Consultation with the workers’ representatives to explain the concept and benefits of ISO 9000.
- Training task force members in the various aspects of ISO 9000 and the methodology for its implementation
- Writing down work instructions, procedures, and manuals complying with the various clauses of the standard
- Preparing a quality manual setting out the company’s policy and ensuring that these are better understood by all employees.
- Training staff and work men in the methods and procedures.
- Implementing the document system and subjecting to a trial for few months.
- Conducting internal audits to assess its compliance with the ISO 9000 standard and taking corrective action.
ESSENTIAL STEPS TO ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION
- Acceptance by top management of quality as a vital element in the business.
- Consultation with the worker’s representatives to explain the concept and benefits of ISO 9000.
- Training task force members in the various aspects of ISO 9000 and the methodology for its implementation.
- Writing down work instructions, procedures, and manuals complying with the various clauses of the standard.
- Preparing a quality manual setting out the company's policy and ensuring that these are better understood by all employees.
- Training staff and workmen in the methods and procedures.
- Implementing the document systems and subjecting to a trial for few months.
- Conducting internal audits to assess its compliance with the ISO · 9000 standards and taking corrective actions.
- Arranging a preliminary audit by an external agency.
- Taking corrective actions on the basis of the external audit team.
- Arranging formal assessment by an accredited certification or registration body.
