8.4 Benefits of Certification

	There are sound, commercially-oriented reasons for achieving certification under the ISO 9000 series of
	standards.
	The ongoing benefits of ISO 9001 certification. A well designed and implemented Quality Management
	System, based on ISO 9001 has been shown to provide organizations with the following benefits:

		You will have consistent, repeatable processes and a common system.
		You will have fewer problems with failures in service or product quality.
		Your people know what to do and how you want it done.
		You will have more business, because you can sell to new markets or having the endorsement will
		distinguish you in the marketplace.
		You'll know more quickly if things are going wrong, and where; you stop spending money or wasting
		time on the same old problems. Many problems will disappear because you know how to prevent
		them; if they do come up, you'll know how to fix them faster.
		Better management control and reporting - which means that you know how your business is doing.

Why should I require vendors to be ISO-certified?

		ISO is direct evidence of a company's financial and ethical commitment to provide high quality, safe
		products.

8.4 Benefits of Certification

		ISO certified companies maintain comprehensive internal audit programs that demonstrate to
		customers the effectiveness of their quality and environmental efforts.
		ISO certified companies utilize systems that have been accepted for use by over 80 countries as
		effective means to achieve product quality and environmental stewardship.
		ISO certified companies document, review, and approve product designs that meet applicable safety,
		regulatory, and customer requirements.
		ISO certified companies prove their systems through audits by independent registrars. Registrars are
		governed by strict international codes that dictate operating practices, audit methods, and staff
		qualifications. Failure to maintain quality program requirements will lead to de-certification by the
		registrar.
		ISO certified company products reduce the need for the buyers to perform audits and reviews to
		determine if quality systems are in place and being maintained.
		A certificate of analysis from an ISO certified company will be supported by documented procedures
		and records that demonstrate its validity. This is particularly important should a customer ever have a
		reason to question product quality.

8.4 Benefits of Certification

Quality Assurance Certification versus Total Quality Management (TQM)

		TQM is a philosophy of continual improvement that goes beyond the ISO9000 certifications. The
		development of TQM is largely done by the process of quality assurance accreditation.
		TQM incorporates concepts such as the empowerment of employees, reducing product and service
		costs, reducing waste and continuous improvement teams.
		Processes and strategies developed in TQM can form the basis for improving the ISO9000
		procedures for the next audit.
		Certification covers the concepts of quality control and quality assurance and focuses on documented
		policies and procedures.
		It would be difficult to sustain Quality Assurance Certification without TQM and ultimately aiming for
		World Best Practice.