What is ISO?  

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is functioning from Geneva in Switzerland as a worldwide federation of national standards organizations. The mission of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing corporation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity. ISO’s works result in international agreements which are published as international standards.
 

Why ISO
 

The existence of non-harmonized systems for similar technologies in different countries or regions can contribute to so called "technical barriers to trade". Futuristic people have long back sensed the need to agree on world standards to help rationalize the international trading process. ISO is well established in many diverse fields and will continue to grow for the following reasons

  • World wide progress in trade liberalization
  • Interdependence of sectors
  • Worldwide growth of communication systems
  • Need of global standards in emerging technologies
  • Standardization of economic policy for achieving sustainable growth

 
  Who can go for ISO  

ISO can be granted to any organization regardless of what it does, its size, or whether it’s in the private, or public sector. It is applicable across an entire gamut of industrial sectors ranging from manufacturing, service and academic organizations.
  
 
 

Benefits of ISO

  
 

  • Other factors being the same, the client favors the ISO certified company

  • Development of streamlined and well defined procedures

  • Clarity about processes and objectives in the organization

  • Improved predictability and reliability

  • Increased efficiency

  • Confidence in operations

  • Better realization of client and industry expectations

  • Focus on continual improvement for every process

  • Quality manual becomes an important marketing support document not only for new

  • projects but also for image enhancement

  • Easy monitoring of internal work

  • System based working - easier and faster training of new employees

 
  Frequently asked Questions - Summary  
 

Will ISO:9000 system increase documentation?
  • Previous version of ISO:9000 (1994) emphasize on documents and document control. But as per new standard the extent of documentation can differ from company to company in a simplified manner.
  • ISO:9000 system requires records at relevant stages which provide data for continual improvement and can be used for legacy as a data bank.

 

  

Is ISO:9000 certification applicable for product quality?

  • ISO: 9000 is applicable for the management system only and not for product quality. Implementation of ISO:9000 quality management system assures product quality instead of ensuring product quality.

What is the procedure for getting ISO 9000 certification?

  • Framing Quality policy and Quality objectives.
  • Preparation of Quality manual and process procedures in line with ISO:9000 requirements.
  • Awareness training program for all staffs shall be arranged.
  • Internal Quality auditors shall be trained.
  • Internal Quality auditing shall be conducted.
  • Management review of Quality management system.
  • Co-ordination with certification body.
  • Certification auditing.
  • ISO: 9000 certification.
  • Periodical auditing every six months by certification body.

How much time will it take to get ISO certification from zero stage?

  • Approximately three months.

Why does ISO-9000 implementation fail?

  • Over emphasis on documentation.
  • Poorly designed system.
  • Inexperience of the personnel.
  • Insufficient top management commitment.
  • Prohibitive cost factors.

How does ISO 9000 system improve the performance of a company ?

  • ISO 9000 system identifies the important processes.
  • The current status of the performance of the process is measured.
  • A target is fixed for improvement (Quality objective).
  • An action plan is prepared and implemented.
  • The improvement is measured and enhanced.
  • The improvement cycle is checked for its effectiveness through internal auditing and management review.
  • After achieving the target new target is fixed.

Is Certification expensive for small organization?

Bureau of Indian Standards always gives the small scale industries a discounted fee structure to encourage them to take up certification. Similarly, most of the other certifying bodies too, help the small companies, in this regard.

The Govt. of India also gives a subsidy to the tune of Rs. 75,000/- to small scale industries.

 
 

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