Benefits of Developing and Registering
Companies of any size benefit significantly from registration to the ISO 90001 ISO 14001, or other international standards because they must meet market needs, satisfy customer or legislative requirements, price goods competitively and generate profit in order to be effective in business. The main reasons why companies seek ISO certification are: business processes are improved, a better quality product is created, it aids in marketing and selling products or a customer demands it.
A research survey among middle market and small companies reported specific advantages from achieving registration:
83% reported improved management control
70% claimed real improvements in customer service
64% said ISO 9000 improved their ability to bid for contracts
48% increased their market share
The results of a Quality Systems Update confirmed the most important external benefits of registration:
Higher perceived quality in the Marketplace
Improved customer satisfaction
Competitive edge
Reduces customer-required quality audits
Increase market share
Many corporations and government agencies are requiring their suppliers to become registered to the ISO 9001 Standard in order to meet contract specifications for quality management. In certain countries, including members of the European Union (EU) and increasingly in the U.S., Canada, and Asia Pacific, proof of ISO 9000 registration is a requirement for conducting trade with government agencies and companies monitored by industry and government regulations. More than 600,000 ISO 9000 certificates are in force today.
The ISO 9000 standards are designed to help companies review their processes and establish a system to improve and maintain the quality of products and/or services. Documenting the processes and implementing a Quality Management System provides businesses with a valuable and reliable means of reviewing their operations, identifying inefficiencies and gaps and implementing actions to eliminate problematic areas.
In certain industries, registration to ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 is becoming the norm and a requirement to remain competitive with companies already registered. In sectors where ISO 9001 is recognized as a demonstration of process and product quality, registration offers a significant business advantage to a company over its competitors.
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