What are the benefits of using ISO 9000?

ISO 9000 is a set of international standards for quality management systems. The standards were first developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1987. The development of the standards was prompted by a growing demand for standardized quality management systems across various industries. The ISO 9000 standards were designed to provide a common framework for quality management that could be applied by organizations of any size and in any sector. The standards have since been revised and updated, with the most recent version, ISO 9001:2015, published in September 2015.

ISO 9000 has evolved over the years to include several revisions, including the addition of new requirements and the reorganization of the standard's structure. The evolution of ISO 9000 is characterized by a shift from a prescriptive approach to a process-based approach, emphasizing the need for organizations to develop a quality management system tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, recent revisions have emphasized the importance of risk-based thinking and the integration of quality management into an organization's overall strategy.

ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 are both international standards that focus on different aspects of management systems. ISO 9000 sets out requirements for a quality management system that can be used for internal processes, while ISO 14000 sets out requirements for an environmental management system that can be used to minimize negative impacts on the environment. While both standards focus on continuous improvement, ISO 14000 places greater emphasis on environmental performance, including compliance with environmental regulations and the reduction of resource consumption and waste generation.

The benefits of ISO 9000 include improved quality control, increased customer satisfaction, enhanced credibility and reputation, better process management, and increased efficiency and profitability. The standard can also help organizations comply with regulatory requirements, improve supplier relationships, and provide a framework for continuous improvement. Additionally, certification to ISO 9000 can give organizations a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to quality management to customers and stakeholders.

ISO 9001 shouldn't be looked at as a set of rules that have to be followed, but more of a framework tool to standardize the processes within the organization. Omitting or reducing the variability of how processes are performed controls the outcome. Doing so also provides the opportunity for more focused improvement activities. Additionally, in my experience, there is a misconception that the Quality Management System is only a "Quality" department responsibility. In fact, the Quality Management System is how all the departments/processes within the organization function (manage) together in achieving the desired outcome. This interaction amongst the processed toward a common goal is quickly identified in a process interaction diagram.

I like ISO 9000 because it can go as wide & broad as you find beneficial. Quality is such an open term & very little is out of scope. If it is helpful for you to have certain things included & covered in your system - Do it. There is a quality aspect to everything we do internally or externally, so if a quality process helps deliver it more consistently and it is important to your operations then include it. If not, then question, why you are doing it at all, let alone wanting a process for it! The biggest benefit I see in applying an ISO 9000 QMS approach is that if done well it gives you consistency, certainty, & control over the key activities & functions of the organisation to a detail/level you define, that is right for you.

Your article really looses credibility when you don't refer to the proper standard - you're actually talking about ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

This article missed the subject in the title almost completely. Very little about the differences and nothing about the fact that they share a lot - just one short paragraph the rest was about ISO 9000 and certification. Added in edit - the title has been changed. So now, why mention ISO 14000? No so intelligent this artificial stuff…

Getting ISO 9000 certified involves several steps. Firstly, a company must determine its readiness for certification, which involves identifying gaps in their quality management system. Once the gaps have been addressed, the company can then select a certification body and complete the application process. An audit of the company's quality management system is then conducted, and any non-conformities are identified for correction. If the company successfully addresses any non-conformities, the certification body will issue an ISO 9000 certificate. Finally, the company must maintain the certification by undergoing periodic audits to ensure continued compliance with the standard.