Explanation of the concept of becoming ISO 9000 compliant but not necessarily certified. Also refer to Total Quality Management, TQM, improving international business and profits, ASQ, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
ISO 9000 Compliance versus Certification
by Ron Kurtus (revised 10 March 2001)
Over the past several years many companies sought and achieved certification or registration of one of the ISO 9000 series standards. Other companies have wanted to become ISO 9000 certified but have been unable to afford the costs or have been unwilling to jump through all the necessary hoops required by the ISO 9000 registrar or auditors. A possible solution is for a company to simply comply with the ISO 9000 standards but not complete the registration process.
Questions you may have include:
- Why does a company become certified in the first place?
- What is so great about ISO 9000?
- Is certification the only way to go?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Reasons for certification
The reason most companies seek ISO 9000 certification or registration is in order to do business in Europe. Many companies within the European common market have decided they need a set of standardized rules to assure they receive quality good from their suppliers. In fact, within the American automobile industry a similar certification—QS 9000—is required for their suppliers.
Another reason is that some companies feel that being certified gives them a marketing advantage over their uncertified competitors. As more companies register for ISO 9000, that advantage becomes reduced.
ISO 9000 is great concept
The concept of the ISO 9000 standards is great. It is a guide to run a business the way one should be run. It is essentially documenting your plans and verifying that you have done what you said you were going to do.
Standard practices
Many companies have used similar "standard practices" for years. I've also worked at companies that had their good business practices documented but usually bypassed for the sake of expediency or out of laziness.
Relationship with TQM
I always felt that the Total Quality Management (TQM) way of doing business would have been more effective and popular if ISO 9000 would have come out before TQM was started.
Problems with some companies
Although ISO 9000 is a good idea, many companies have become registered simply to gain a marketing edge, especially concerning selling to European clients. These companies have no intention to improve the way they do business. In fact, I have heard that it is relatively easy for a company to "buy" their certification.
One trick that is used is for a company to document only those processes needed for certification. With a minimum of documentation goes a minimum of maintenance. Other things they may do are left unsaid and not noted by the auditors. I know of at least one major corporation that has ISO 9001 certification but avoids following the standards when it suits them.
Compliance for those who want to improve
If a company really wants to improve the way they operate, to reduce waste, and to keep a firm grip on their business processes, that company could easily simply structure themselves to be compliant to the ISO 9000 standards. In other words, I am suggesting that they follow the standards as best they can, but yet they do not go through the formal procedure of getting certified unless they really feel it is worthwhile.
They cannot really advertise that they are certified, but they can show that they run their business in an effective manner.
Another advantage of not being officially ISO 9000 registered is not being required to have auditors check out your company every few years. Sometimes it is good to have a third party check your business, but if you are forced to do it, it can feel like an imposition.
Summary
I feel that many companies would be wise to simply comply to the ISO 9000 standards without necessarily becoming ISO 9000 certified. In this way, they could improve the way they do business. Perhaps at some later date they might want to become officially registered, although then they must continue to pay to be audited every several years.
Reliability is important
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Websites
ISO Online - International Organization for Standardization website
ISO Standards Translated in Plain English - Extensive listing
ISO 9000 Certification Information - Good listing of ISO 9000 resources
ISO 9000 References and Resources
Books
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. When is certification necessary?
2. What do some ISO 9000 certified companies try to do?
3. When should compliance to ISO 9000 be sufficient?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Improving your Business with ISO 9000. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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ISO 9000 Compliance versus Certification