) the quality system must be reviewed on a regular basis. Many organizations are finding that major American business and government institutions are requiring ISO 9000 certification as a supplier quality assurance qualification: making this certification a must-have for many organizations. This quality system is much more than a part of the worldwide drive for quality, because unlike other quality programs ISO 9000 is international in scope and impact.
Reasons For Attaining Certification.
There are many reasons a company may wish to attain ISO 9000 certification; the two leading reasonsbased on a survey conducted by Irwin Publishing and Dun &Bradstreet? are quality benefits and customer demand. Quality benefits are achieved both during the certification process, and upon attainment of the certification. A company that successfully plans and implements the ISO 9000 system will undoubtedly make process improvements that reduce costs, increase productivity, and increase customer satisfaction. Some companies put much of their quality budget into advertising, while advertising announces quality it doesn't create it. The only way to create, and maintain quality is through a systematic process like the ISO 9000 certification. The second leading reason for attaining certification is due to customer demand. Increasingly, companies are requiring their suppliers to become ISO-certified. This decision is usually made at the highest corporate level, even if your local reputation is solid, you may find yourself losing customers whose supplier choices have been overruled by their corporate policy. Market advantage, due to global competition is another ISO motivation. It can be both a threat and an opportunity. Overseas producers are now selling in your backyard, and the expansion of trade agreements will allow you to compete in theirs. Other important reasons for attaining ISO 9000 certification are included in Figure1 below.
