Industry Certifications
Manufacturing certifications show that companies adhere to national and international standards. The NoCo Manufacturing Partnership offers basic information and links for additional information and certification details.
The International Standards Organization (www.Iso.org) began in 1946 when, after the Second World War, “delegates from 25 countries met at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London and decided to create a new international organization ‘to facilitate the international coordination and unification of industrial standards’” (www.ISO.org/iso/home/about.htm ). The organization now publishes 21,000 standards.
The purpose of the most common Quality Management System (QMS) standard, ISO 9001, is to allow an organization to demonstrate the ability to meet the requirements of its customers, plus applicable governmental requirements. It is based on seven “quality management principles” beginning with customer focus, and emphasizes an improvement cycle described as “Plan-Do-Check-Act.” Many in the supply chain consider a QMS certified to ISO 9001 as a basic requirement for approved suppliers.
Management Standards
ISO 9001 – How To Use It