Ans. ISO refers to the International Organization for Standardization. These standards are highly technical and are developed by National Standards Institute of some 140 member countries including India, with a central office in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system and publishes the finished standards.

Q. What is ISO 9001:2000 ?

Ans. ISO 9001:2000 is a model for Quality Management System (QMS) which is a revised version of ISO 9001: 1994 revised in Dec.2000.With effect of this ISO has withdrawn old series of ISO 9001, 9002, 9003.

ISO 9001 standard is very generic in nature and is applicable for all type of organizations whether manufacturing or service regardless of its type of business.

Q. What are the steps involved in ISO certification ?

Ans. ISO certification is carried out in two phases; one is the design, documentation & implementation of quality management system and other is the certification. Documentation consists of quality manual, quality plans & procedures, work instructions and records. While certification is carried out by a third party certification body accredited for certification.

Q. If I start today how much time will it take to get my firm certified ?

Ans. The usual time is 2 to 4 months depending upon the size and complexity of the system.

Q. Who prepares for the design, documentation & implementation of QMS with respect to ISO requirements?

Ans. The best way to start is to do a Gap analysis of existing management system with respect to the requirements of ISO 9001. The common experience is to hire a consultant who has the requisite experience in Gap Analysis, designing & effective implementation of documentation in compliance with the ISO standards.

Q. Does the Govt. of India grants any incentive to the units who look for ISO certifications?

Ans. Yes, Govt. of India grants subsidy to small-scale units (SSI) through Development Commissioner, Small Scale Industries. The Amount reimbursed is 75% of all the expenses incurred to a ceiling of Indian Rs.75,000/-.

Q. What are the average expenses that a small unit incurs for the certification?

Ans. The expenses depend upon the No. of criterion like manpower, locations, size of the co. etc. Usually Firms with 5 to 25 employees with single location spend around Rs. 60 thousand to Rs. 75 thousand cumulative of both Consultancy and finally the ISO certification in hand.

Q. Does certification need additional manpower to implement and maintain the system?

Ans. No, it does not require any additional manpower, the work is carried out with the available resources and one M. R. of the company besides this consultant trains the employees for the post implementation of the system.

Q. What are the Advantages of ISO 9001:2000?

Ans. Advantages Of ISO 9001:2000: -

• Improved Outcome of Process
• Professional Image
• Increased Customer Confidence
• Better Marketability.
• Clarity of responsibility and authority
• Better and Defined System
• Consistent Quality

Step 1. Gap Analysis of Existing Management System with respect to ISO 9001:2000.

Step 2. Training on Awareness of ISO 9001:2000 to all employees.

Step 3. Design, Development and approval of Quality Management System as per ISO 9001:2000 to fill the Identified Gaps

Step 4. Training on How to Do Documentation as per new developed QMS.

Step 5. Implementation of new QMS.

Step 6. Training on How to do Internal Audits.

Step 7. Internal Audit to identify any non-conformity.

Step 8. Resolving the non-conformities.

Step 9. Certification Audit by Certification Agency.

Step 10. Certification.