ONLY 1.84% of SA's
272 000 registered companies are ISO 9000 (quality management) certified, a figure which shows a lack of awareness amongst business decision-makers, according to Gerald
van Aswegen, divisional manager of certification body SGS-ICS.
This when ISO 9000 offers distinct advantages to companies in all industry sectors, he added, and international recognition of the quality rating of a company's products or services.
An ISO 9000 rating, according to Van Aswegen, has implications for a company's bottom line.
If implemented correctly, he said, the new ISO 9000:2000 can be used as an effective marketing tool for international trading.
In addition, the standard assists in managing a company's risk; improves its production levels; and standardises its operations.
For aspirant candidates for ISO 9000, Van Aswegen lists the following rules-of-thumb about the preparatory procedures:
l Document what you do;
l Do what you document;
l If it moves, train it;
l If it doesn't move, calibrate it;
l Check through audits;
l Conduct corrective action;
l Review;
l Continuously improve;
l Document again.
Van Aswegen stresses that the importance of internal quality audits must not be underestimated. They truly determine the quality of products or services, he said.
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