SUBIC BAY

Departments > Total Quality Management Office

G/F, Seaport Admin Bldg., Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is ISO?

  • ISO stands for "International Organization of Standardization". Instead of using an acronym (IOS) they used the Greek work for "equal", which is ISO.

• What is ISO 9000?

  • ISO 9000 is a series of documents that define requirements for the Quality Management System (QMS) standard. ISO 9001 is one of the documents in this set, containing the actual requirements an organization must be and do in compliance with the international standards of ISO, particularly becoming an ISO 9001:2008 registered.

• How do I get ISO registered?

  • To become ISO 9001 registered, your organization will need to implement a Quality Management System that complies with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 version, run that system and collect records, then have a third party auditor called a Registrar come and audit your system.

• What are the benefits of ISO 9000?

  • Benefits of implementing ISO 900 in an organization include: (1) Well-defined and documented procedures improve the consistency of output or product; (2) Improved efficiency of operations due to established standard operating procedures, processes and policies; (3) Optimized company structure and operational integrity; (4) Clearly defined responsibilities and authorities; (5) Improved accountability of individuals, departments, and systems; (6) Improved communication and quality of information; (7) Improved records in case of litigation against the company; (7) Formalized systems with consistent quality, punctual delivery, and a framework for future quality improvement; (8) Documented systems with useful reference and training tools; and (9) Improved relationships with customers and suppliers.
  • In short, being an ISO-certified company really makes good business sense.

• What is the difference between ISO 9000 and ISO 9001?

  • ISO 9000 is often used to the set of ISO Quality Management System documents. ISO 9001 is the document that contains the requirements for the Quality Management System. You will register to ISO 9001; while ISO 9000 is a guidance document on the fundamentals and vocabulary for quality management systems. ISO 9002 and ISO 9003 are no longer in use. All companies or organizations register to ISO 9001.

• What is ISO 9001:2008 then?

  • ISO 9001:2008 is part of the ISO 9000 family of standards, and is the document that lists the requirements that an organization must comply with to become ISO 9001 Registered. ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized Quality Management System.

• Is there an ISO 9000 Certification?

  • ISO 9000 Certified is technically incorrect, as ISO 9000 does not have requirements. ISO 9001 Certified means an organization has met the requirements in ISO 9001. It defines an ISO 9000 Quality Management System (QMS).

• How does ISO 9001 affect our product?

  • ISO 9001 does not define the actual quality of your product or service. The standard helps you achieve consistent results and continually improve the process. Thus, if you can make a good product most of the time, this helps you make it all of the time. It's just good business practice to go ISO.

• What documents are required to meet ISO 9001?

  • The ISO standard requires a Quality Manual, Quality Goals and Objectives, a Quality Policy and specific Procedures for Document Control, Control of Quality Records, Control of Non-conforming Product, Corrective Action, Preventive Action, and Internal Quality Audits. These are the specific procedures mentioned by the Standard, and you must have these procedures, but you must also pay close attention to the clause that requires documents needed by the organization for effective planning and control of processes. This means that even though only six procedures are required for your organization, your organization must determine what other procedures are required for your organization.

• What are the drawbacks to ISO 9000?

  • There are costs associated with the implementation and maintenance of the quality management system. You will need to have a Registrar come every six (6) months or a year to make sure your system still meets requirements. Most companies find that the improvements within the company pay for these costs.

• What are the contents of ISO 9000?

  • ISO 9001 contains requirements for a Quality Management System. The requirements are broken down into 5 sections covering: Quality Management System, Management Responsibility, Resource Management, Product Realization and Measurement Analysis & Improvement.

• What is Total Quality Management?

  • There is no one definition of total quality management or TQM just as it cannot be derived from a single idea or person. The TQM-SBMA defines TQM as: Total means that everyone from the President or CEO down to the lowest rank-and-file participates in quality initiatives and that it is integrated into all business functions; Quality means meeting or exceeding customer (external and internal) expectations; Management means improving and maintaining business systems and their related processes or activities. Given all these, total quality management is a philosophy, a science, a work ethic, a process, and a system. It is a continuous improvement of people and organizations. The "total quality company" exists where people want it to exist, and are willing to work together in creating it for themselves. TQM is and never has been a "one-man show", whether historically, conceptually or operationally.

• What is then the relationship of TQM with ISO 9000, particularly the Quality Management System of ISO?

  • ISO is said to lay the foundation of a quality company. With a good solid foundation of your processes, procedures, systems and policies, it is now much easier to attain productivity and efficiency. It becomes easier to produce your product at a low cost with quality. Though both ISO and TQM aim for customer satisfaction, the ultimate vision of a quality company is total quality management or to become a TQM company.