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Latest version of ISO 9001 standard
was published on November 14, 2008 by the International
Organization of Standardization. ISO 9001:2008 is the
latest edition of the International Standard used by
organizations in 175 countries as the framework for
their quality management systems (QMS).
ISO 9001:2008, Quality management system
– Requirements, is the fourth edition of the standard
first published in 1987 and which has become the global
benchmark for providing assurance about the ability
to satisfy quality requirements and to enhance customer
satisfaction in supplier-customer relationships.
ISO Secretary-General Alan Bryden commented:
“The revised ISO 9001 results from a structured
process giving weight to the needs of users and to the
likely impacts and benefits of the revisions. ISO 9001:2008
is therefore the outcome of a rigorous examination confirming
its fitness for use as the international benchmark for
quality management.”
Although certification of conformity
to ISO 9001 is not a requirement of the standard, it
is frequently used in both public and private sectors
to increase confidence in the products and services
provided by certified organizations, between partners
in business-to-business relations, in the selection
of suppliers in supply chains and in the right to tender
for procurement contracts. Up to the end of December
2007, at least 951 486 ISO 9001:2000 certificates had
been issued in 175 countries and economies.
ISO (which does not itself carry out
certification) and the International Accreditation Forum
(IAF) have agreed on an implementation plan to ensure
a smooth transition of accredited certification to ISO
9001:2008. The details of the plan are given in a joint
communiqué by the two organizations which is
available on the ISO Web site.
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