FAQ
Q. What is ISO?
Ans.: Full form of the abbreviation ISO is International Organization for Standardization. ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 160+ countries, on the basis of one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. The objective of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating international exchange of goods and services, and for developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity. The results of ISO technical work are published as International Standards.
Q. What is ISO 9000?
Ans.: ISO 9000 family comprises of Quality Management System Standards. This family of standards represents an international consensus on good management practices with the aim of ensuring that the organization consistently delivers a product or a service that meets the customer’s quality requirements. Good practices have been evolved into a set of standardized requirements for a quality management system, regardless of size and type of the organization.
The family of ISO 9000 standards consists of four core standards:
- ISO 9000:2005 – It deals with Fundamentals and Vocabulary.
- ISO 9001:2015 – It elucidates requirements of Quality Management Systems.
- ISO 9004:2000– provides guidelines for performance improvement on Quality Management Systems.
- ISO 19011: 2011 – Guidelines auditing for Quality and/or Environmental Management systems.
Q. Who is responsible for development of ISO 9000 standards?
Ans.: ISO consists of a number of Technical Committees (TCs). TC number 176 (ISO/TC 176) and its sub-committees of ISO are responsible for the development of ISO 9000 standards.
Q. Amongst the family of ISO 9000 standards, which one is meant for certification?
Ans.: Any organization can apply and seek for certification as per requirements of against ISO 9001:2015. The other standards are guidance standards and are not meant for certification.
Q. What is the difference between a certification body and a registration body?
Ans.: There is no difference. In some countries, the term `certification body’ is used, and in others, the term “registration body’ is used. ISO 19011: 2011 – Guidelines auditing for Quality and/or Environmental Management systems.
Q. My organization does not do any design, development and engineering activities? Which standard is applicable to me for certification? Is it not ISO 9002?
Ans.: The standard applicable is ISO 9001:2015. The activities not performed by a client organization are declared as exclusions. With the coming of 2000 version of ISO 9000 standards, the standard ISO 9002 stands withdrawn.
Q. My organization provides services. How are the ISO 9000 standards applicable to us?
Ans.: ISO 9000 standards are applicable to all types of organizations. The definition of the term `product’ also includes services and/or combination thereof. Therefore, the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 are equally applicable to service sector as they are applicable to products.
Q. How to implement the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 in my organization?
Ans.: You should first familiarize yourself with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and eight principles of Quality Management Principles. Implement the requirements of the standard in various activities and processes adding value to these processes and activities.
Q. What do I gain by implementing Quality Management System Requirements as per ISO 9001:2015?
Ans.: Salient benefits are:
- Implementing Quality Management System Requirements as per ISO 9001:2015 provides an opportunity to add value to the activities of the organization.
- Improve the performance of processes/activities continually.
- Customer Satisfaction.
- Better resources management.
- Implementation of statutory/regulatory requirements.
- Better management control.
Q. How should I obtain ISO 9001:2015 certification?
Ans.: Check your preparedness for certification as per ISO 9001:2015. The Application Form and Questionnaire can also be downloaded from our website.
