ISO 9000 and ISO 9001 are two international standards for quality management systems developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Although they both fall within the same series of standards, they play different, but complementary, roles. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two standards and how they are used.
What is ISO 9000?
ISO 9000 is a series of international standards that provide guidelines and terminology for implementing and maintaining an effective quality management system.
- General guidelines - ISO 9000 provides the framework for what a quality management system should contain. It defines terms and principles that help companies understand what a quality management system means.
- Terminology - An important part of ISO 9000 is that it defines and clarifies the terminology used in other standards in the series, including ISO 9001. This ensures that all organizations work with the same definitions when implementing their quality management systems.
What is ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 is a specific standard within the ISO 9000 series. It is the only standard in the series that can be certified.
- Specific requirements - Unlike the more general framework provided by ISO 9000, ISO 9001 imposes specific requirements on how a quality management system should be implemented and documented.
- Certification - A company can obtain an official confirmation (certification) that its quality management system meets all the requirements of ISO 9001. This gives companies a competitive advantage, as it shows that they have a system in place to ensure high quality of their products or services.
Main differences between ISO 9000 and ISO 9001
When we compare these two standards, it is clear that they fulfill different roles but also complement each other.
- Guidelines vs Requirements: ISO 9000 provides guidelines and defines terms, while ISO 9001 sets specific requirements. Together they form a whole: ISO 9000 will help you understand what a quality management system is, and ISO 9001 will show you how to implement it correctly.
- Certification: Only ISO 9001 can lead to an official certification but to meet the requirements of ISO 9001 you need to understand the principles and terminology defined in ISO 9000.
Summary
To summarize, it could be said that if you want to build an effective quality management system, ISO 9000 would be your theoretical foundation and ISO 9001 your practical guide. ISO 9000 helps you define and understand what a quality management system is while ISO 9001 helps you actually build it, by providing specific requirements that your system must meet.
Both standards play an important role in ensuring quality in all aspects of an organization's operations. Understanding the difference between these two standards can help organizations effectively implement and improve their quality management systems.
