What is ISO 9000?

ISO 9001 is the standard that has been designed to assist organisations of all types and sizes to implement and operate effective quality management systems. It applies not to products and services as such, but to the processes that create them. It emphasises principles, goals and objectives that all focus upon one main aim - the same aim which drives every business - meeting customer requirements and expectations.

It has been the leading quality management standard for many years and it is still evolving. However, this is a good time for an organisation to implement the standard because the 2008 version included a number of significant improvements. Organisations are now enjoying the benefits and can look forward to many years of stability.