Successful Strategies for ISO 9000 Certification, 1993 Papermakers Conference Proceedings

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Many North American companies are pursuing IS0 9OO0 registration. While guidance is available on what kind of quality system meets the IS0 9000 standards, the task of implementing such a quality system also must take into account the existing environment in the company desiring certification. Failure to appreciate the situation into which IS0 9000 is being introduced will doom an otherwise well-planned certification effort.

From the experienceof Sandoz Chemicals Corporation, the following steps are critical in successfully adapting an IS0 9000 quality system to an existing work setting:

1. Gain management commitment

2. Know thyself

3. Marshal resources

4. Gain participation

5. Train everybody

6. Prepare documents

7. Start internal quality audits

8. Select a registrar

These eight steps above offer a pattern for managing an IS0 9000 implementation that is both constructive and effective. Following this pattern, Sandoz has developed - in less than 24 months - a system that is now only a few months away from a certification audit.