A Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ISO 9001:2000 will provide your organization with a set of processes that ensure a common sense approach to the management of your organization.

The system should ensure consistency and improvement of working practices, which in turn should provide products and services that meet customer's requirements. ISO 9000 is the most commonly used international standard that provides a framework for an effective Quality Management System.

ISO 9000 is a generic name given to a family of standards developed to provide a framework around which a Quality Management System can effectively be implemented.
 
The ISO 9000 family of standards was revised in December 2000. ISO 9001:2000, the requirement standard, includes the following main sections:

• Quality Management System
• Management Responsibility
• Resource Management
• Product Realisation
• Measurement Analysis and Improvement

Who is it relevant to?

Every organization, regardless of size and sector, strives to provide a quality culture that will permeate every level of their organization.

Establishing optimal working practices, which can enhance profit as well as customer satisfaction doesn’t happen by accident. It is today’s most successful companies that recognize the importance of having a proven Quality Management System in place.

ISO 9001 can be adopted by any organization wishing to implement a formal procedure which will help improve customer satisfaction levels, internal efficiency and employee involvement.

What are the benefits?

Benefits of implementing a Quality Management System include:

• policies and objectives set by 'top management'
• understanding customer's requirements with a view to achieving customer satisfaction 
• improved internal and external communications
• greater understanding of the organization's processes
• understanding how statutory and regulatory requirements impact on the organization and your customers
• clear responsibilities and authorities agreed for all staff
• improved use of time and resources
• reduced wastage
• greater consistency and traceability of products and services
• improved morale and motivation