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ISO 9000 / ISO 9001:2000 Resources

Welcome to ISO 9000 Resources. This web site was designed as a free resource for the ISO 9000 implementation process from conception to optimization (continuous improvement never ends). Although there is enough information on this site to create an ISO 9001:2000 compliant quality system, we encourage all companies to get professional help with their ISO 9000 quality system development. A professionally designed ISO 9000 quality system will pay for itself.

The First Step Towards ISO 9000.
For those companies that have not started an ISO 9000 program, we have articles discussing the cost of ISO 9000, a comparison of ISO 9000 certification vs. ISO 9000 compliance. We also have information for companies trying to implement ISO 9000 using existing resources that are already loaded to 100% before the ISO 9000 project starts. These articles discuss the effect of ISO 9000 on quality. Management commitment to ISO 9000 standard, trends in ISO 9000, and the reasons that most companies get ISO 9000 certification.

Starting An ISO 9000 Program
Once the decision has been made to start an ISO 9000 project, we have a set of articles on the 10 steps to getting a successful ISO 9000 implementation. We also have information on selecting an ISO 9000 registrar and getting ISO 9000 / ISO 9001 training (including ISO 9001 Awareness Training, How to be audited training, process training, and quality system training).

Building a great ISO 9000 quality system
Once you have your feet wet, you will want to dig into the ISO 9000 standard. There is a set of articles with sample procedures listed on this site. There is also a free sample ISO 9000 compliant quality manual. You may also want to learn some basics from the articles on Understanding the 10 basic ISO 9001 areas. (The articles include sample procedures). Once you have systems in place, you can use the ISO 9000 internal audit check sheet to check the status of the quality system. After you have a successful ISO 9000 internal audit, you are ready to schedule an external audit with the ISO 9000 registrar of your choice.

Preparing for an ISO 9000 quality system audit
Check the articles page to find information about what to expect from an ISO 9000 certification audit, types of ISO 9000 auditors, and the presentation on how to be audited. The first audit can be very nerve racking so these article will help prepare your group for a smooth and painless ISO 9000 certification audit.

Optimizing your ISO 9000 quality system
ISO 9000 Resources also has article to help optimize your ISO 9000 (or non-ISO 9000) quality system. If you are trying to exceed the minimum requirements of the ISO 9000 standard, then you may be interested in the articles on the 8 principals of the ISO 9000 standard, Low cost record keeping, and the ISO 9000 documentation pyramid.

Beyond ISO 9000
Once you have mastered the minimum requirements of ISO 9000, you may want or need to go further. We have articles on ISO/TS 16949, ISO 13485:2003 and ATEX, which are based on ISO 9000 but have additional requirements beyond ISO 9000.
If you trying to build the ULTIMATE ISO 9000 quality system, you should review the articles on Japanese-style quality systems. Japanese-style quality systems were based on continuous improvement way before it was integrated into ISO 9000.

Why ISO 9000 and not ISO 9001:2000
This site was named ISO 9000 because prior to the 2000 revision of the 9000 standard, there were 3 standards: ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and ISO 9003. Back when I really got started with ISO quality systems, we always used ISO 9000 to describe the set of standards. The name stuck with me so I named the site ISO 9000 resources.

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