Overview
ISO 9000 is a set of international quality management standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These standards provide a framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve their Quality Management Systems(QMS). Quality management systems are created to help organizations ensure their products and services satisfy customer expectations by meeting their specifications.
ISO 9000 Quality Standards
The ISO 9000 family of standards is widely recognized and used by organizations worldwide to enhance their quality processes and customer satisfaction. Some important ISO 9000 quality standards are as follows:
- ISO 9000
- ISO 9001
- ISO 9004
ISO 9000
This is the foundational standard in the ISO 9000 family and provides an introduction to quality management systems and their fundamental principles. It defines key terms and concepts related to quality management.
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is the most well-known and widely used standard in the ISO 9000 series. It specifies the requirements for a quality management system that an organization can use to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products or services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
ISO 9001 outlines several key principles, including customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, continuous improvement, evidence-based decision-making, and relationship management.
ISO 9001:2015 is the latest version of this standard. It adopts a more adaptable and risk-focused strategy towards quality management. This version highlights the significance of recognizing and handling both internal and external factors that may influence a company’s ability to fulfill its quality goals.
ISO 9004
ISO 9004 provides guidelines for organizations to enhance performance and achieve sustained success. It focuses on excellence in quality management beyond minimum requirements and offers guidance on self-assessment and continuous improvement.