What is the Difference Between ISO 9000 and ISO 9001?

“What’s the best way of doing this?” Doing what? You may ask. How about anything? Most people strive to do things in the best way possible. For small businesses, this is even more important.

It’s the main reason why ISO certification came into existence. It sought to answer this question, specifically for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Businesses with the highest quality standards have a competitive advantage.

ISO certification started off with specific elements. It developed into a family of standards over the last 50 years. ISO 9000 is one of the families of standards that focuses on quality management systems.

Standards with a Global Benchmark

ISO certification was started by the International Organization for Standardization. It is an independent, international, non-governmental organization with 165 members. Together they share knowledge and develop international standards. The standards are consensus-based and relevant to the market.

The standards created provide solutions to global challenges and support innovation. These standards give consumers confidence. They know they can buy high-quality products that are reliable, safe, and efficient. Governments also use these standards to develop regulations.

ISO certification sets a high standard for companies. Having your company ISO certified will differentiate you from your competition. It increases your authority and credibility as a business. It improves the efficiency of your company. It also provides many other benefits to your business.

What is ISO 9000?

ISO 9000 is a family of standards that includes ISO 9001. It defines the terminology of each category within the quality management series.

It documents the processes needed to improve standards. It also helps businesses understand the fundamentals and vocabulary associated with improving processes. This is important to execute the improvement plans outlined in the ISO 9000 documents.

ISO 9000 also assists businesses to document the elements needed to maintain their quality system. It is applicable to any industry and organizations of all sizes.

ISO 9000 is suitable for companies that want to:

Enjoy the advantages of implementing a quality management system.
Meet their suppliers’ requirements
Ensure they have a proper understanding of quality management terminology
Ensure their organization’s quality management system conforms to internal and external assessments or audits
Ensure they have the appropriate training for their quality management system

It is essential that your company has a good understanding of ISO 9000 terminology to become ISO 9001 certified. It helps you to meet regulatory requirements, satisfy your customers, and facilitate continuous improvement.

What is ISO 9001?

Your company should have a good understanding of ISO 9000 terminology to become ISO 9001 certified. It helps you to meet regulatory requirements, please your customers, and facilitate continuous improvement.

It sets out guidelines that improve processes within the organization. One of the first steps before implementation is the alignment of your organization’s objectives to the quality management system.

Implementation takes place across the organization. It focuses on several elements, including leadership, planning, support, operations, performance evaluation, and improvement.

Some of the mandatory requirements for ISO 9001 include:

Keeping records on the monitoring and measurement of equipment calibration
Training, skills, experience, and qualification records
Keeping records on product/service requirements reviews
Keeping records on the design and development of output reviews, inputs and outputs, controls, and changes
Characteristics of services provided and products produced
Customer property records
Change control records on production/service provisions.
Records of conforming products and/or services and non-conforming outputs
Monitoring of measurement results
Internal audit program
Results of internal audits, management reviews, and corrective actions

It includes a special quality manual that managers can use. It outlines daily, weekly and monthly tasks. This helps them better manage employees and ensure that business operations run smoothly.

The initial stage of implementation requires a gap analysis. This assesses your company’s current system and compares it to the new one.

The audits are used after implementation. It helps you test the effectiveness of the new quality management system. It assesses the organization’s readiness for certification. The aim is to help your business to achieve higher quality standards/procedures.

ISO 9000 Vs. ISO 9001

What’s the difference between ISO 9000 and ISO 9001? Here are the main differences:

ISO 9000:

Encompasses a series of standards
Its main purpose is to define the quality management system.
It outlines the definition for the series of standards, including ISO 9000

ISO 9001:

Is an individual standard within the ISO 9000 series of standards
Its main purpose is to outline actions.
It details the requirements or actions a company needs to take to become certified.
It requires both a gap analysis and internal audits.

But, they both:

Are in the quality management systems category of ISO certification
Need to be constantly maintained
Need to be reviewed periodically to ensure their relevance and usefulness
Use the same terminology.

ISO 9000 and ISO 90001 work together. ISO 9000 provides the knowledge needed for certification. While ISO 9001 facilitates the execution of quality standards.

Benefits of ISO Certification

Many organizations, especially small businesses, can benefit from ISO certification.

Certification lays out the guidelines your company needs to improve processes
It lets your customers know that your company meets and maintains certain quality standards
It results in greater revenue and cash flow
High standards result in better quality products and services
Customers enjoy better quality products and services
A workplace that maintains high standards promotes employee loyalty and longevity
The workplace is more organized and encourages a culture that embraces high standards
There is an increase in employee productivity and better performance results
Operations are easier to manage as tasks and processes are clearly defined
Employees know what to expect when their performance is appraised
Rewards and incentives are clearly outlined
It ensures the discipline of employees follows an ethical procedure
Customers and employees feel comfortable providing feedback as it is encouraged and well-received

Are you ready to have your company certified? Here’s how to start.

Are You Sold on Certification?

The importance of ISO 9001 certification and ISO 9000 have been clearly defined. They provide a great opportunity for organizations. It allows small businesses to improve their standards. It will allow them to reap the rewards and benefits of certification.

But, companies should ensure they consult with an organization the specializes in certification. We can help you to navigate the process of certification. We can also provide your company with the training needed. Contact us to learn more.