John T. Rabbitt
Published: 1993
Total Pages: 184
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To succeed in today's high-stakes international marketplace, U.S. companies have to be tougher - and better - than their competition. And that means measuring up to the quality standards that the European community and most industrialized countries have adopted to judge suppliers and partners by: the ISO 9000 Series. But when it actually comes down to becoming certified to the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9000 standard, many companies are at a loss. In The ISO 9000 Book, authors John T. Rabbitt and Peter A. Bergh demystify the process of complying with this quality standard by laying out the basics of what ISO 9000 is, what it means to your organization, how it fits into your overall quality efforts, and why you may be required to apply. Their practical firsthand advice is based on their quality improvement experiences at The Foxboro Company, one of the first U.S. companies to become fully certified to ISO 9001. The book covers every aspect of ISO 9000 certification, from the preparation to the final audit. In clear, nontechnical terms, the authors show you how to interpret the standard for your business; determine the cost and the length of time you need to invest in the certification process; achieve compliance and certification quickly through a 14-step process; focus on the areas of quality assurance that are subject to a rigorous audit during certification, such as management responsibility, design control, corrective action, and training; and gauge your organization's readiness. Certification to the ISO 9000 series quality standards adds a major competitive advantage to your organization. This useful guide shows you how to meet the ISO 9000 challenge andlead your business down the path to world-class excellence.