What is ISO 9001?

In short, ISO 9001 is a voluntary Quality Management System (QMS) standard that helps organizations ensure they are meeting customer requirements. Note that the key word in the title is “Management.” The intent of the 9001 standard is to implement systems that Management can use to better run the business.

Many companies have portions of these best practices in place currently or they wouldn’t be able to stay in business. However, the standard offers a more structured approach for processes such as how customer requirements are reviewed and met; how products or services are actually produced and delivered; how employees are hired and considered to be competent; how documents are controlled to ensure they are current; how management itself periodically reviews the processes they have implemented; and how data is used in decision making. In fact, the 23 page standard provides guidance in all areas of the business. Its process approach to organizational improvement can be applied to any business – no matter the industry or size.