Impact of ISO 9000 on international commerce

Abstract

The most widely accepted standard on total quality management is ISO 9000. According to a recent survey by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 43 countries have national standards that are identical or equivalent to the ISO 9000 standard series.These generic standards were intended to be advisory in nature and were developed primarily for use in two-party contractual situations or for internal auditing. They were published by ISO in 1987. Why then, are they receiving so much attention now? The short answer is EC 92.Quality assurance is part of the process of compliance with essential safety requirements of European Community (EC) Directives. In the long term this procedure will make trading with the EC simpler and less costly. In the short term, it will certainly be more complicated and probably more costly.The EC compliance process, in terms of how it is designed to work, as well as the difficulties in implementation, which is creating the current problems, will be presented.This situation certainly impacts U.S. manufacturers, who market in EC countries. It also effects trading partners outside the EC. Thus, ISO 9000 is having a significant impact on international commerce, in general. This paper will discuss these aspects, including the importance of ISO 9000 certification.The most widely accepted standard on total quality management is ISO 9000. According to a recent survey by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 43 countries have national standards that are identical or equivalent to the ISO 9000 standard series.These generic standards were intended to be advisory in nature and were developed primarily for use in two-party contractual situations or for internal auditing. They were published by ISO in 1987. Why then, are they receiving so much attention now? The short answer is EC 92.Quality assurance is part of the process of compliance with essential safety requirements of European Community (EC) Directives. In the long term this procedure will make trading with the EC simpler and less costly. In the short term, it will certainly be more complicated and probably more costly.The EC compliance process, in terms of how it is designed to work, as well as the difficulties in implementation, which is creating the current problems, will be presented.This sit...