Q. What is ISO?

A : The term ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. You would reasonably assume that it ought to be IOS, but it isn't. Perhaps, the term ISO was chosen (instead of IOS), because 'iso' in Greek means equal (remember Isotopes, isosceles triangles etc!), and ISO wanted to convey the idea of equality - the idea that they develop standards to place organizations on an equal footing.

Q. What is ISO 9000?

A. ISO 9000 is a set of rules that companies follow to assure that they have the systems needed to meet their customers' needs. It involves writing procedures, following them, and getting the same audited by an accredited registrar who after satisfying himself (by examining the systems) will certify that the required standards are being followed and will then grant certification.

Q. What standards make up the new ISO 9000 2000 series?

A. So far, ISO has developed three new standards in the ISO 9000 series: ISO 9000:2000, ISO 9001:2000, and ISO 9004:2000.
ISO 9001:2000 contains ISO's new quality management system requirements. This is the standard you need to use if you wish to become certified (registered).

ISO 9000:2000 and ISO 9004:2000 contain ISO's new quality management system guidelines. Refer to these standards if you wish to learn more about ISO's approach to quality management. ISO 9000:2000 presents definitions and discusses terminology, while ISO 9004:2000 is a set of guidelines for improving performance. Use ISO 9004:2000 if you wish to develop a quality management system that goes beyond the basic ISO 9001:2000 requirements, or if you wish to continually improve the performance of your quality management system. While these two guideline standards will certainly help you, they are not intended to be used for certification purposes.

ISO is also working on a fourth new standard: ISO 19011. ISO 19011 will replace the old ISO 10011 quality auditing standards. The final version of this new standard is expected in the year 2002 or 2003.

In summary, the new ISO 9000 series of standards will ultimately consist of four primary standards: ISO 9000, ISO 9001, ISO 9004, and ISO 19011.

Q. What are the phases involved in getting ISO 9000 certification.

A. The phases of ISO 9000 certification consists of two parts i.e., documentation and certification.

The documentation part can be done in house or by the help of a consultants. Normally every company takes the services of a experienced consultant to develop and introduce the system.

The certification is done by an agency accredited in this regard. The certification agency normally divides into activities into two parts documentation review, which may be done with or without visits to your works and compliance audit that is conducted at your site.

Q. Is a consultant must for implementing ISO systems.

A. Probably you could buy a copy of the ISO 9000 standards and attempt to do it yourself, but this will probably lead to higher cost and more time to achieve certification since you will also have to employ specialized people for the job who may become workless after certification is achieved. Such people being employees may not enjoy the degree of freedom which a consultant would enjoy. You may achieve certification eventually, but your quality system will probably not be effective and efficient. Finding a good consultant is key to success in implementing ISO. FISME assists members in finding the consultants.

Q. What does it cost to get ISO 9000 certification?

A. This depends on several factors as size and complexity of operations, number of locations of plants, willingness of owners, type of standards to be implemented etc. For a typical SSI whose processes are not very complex, total cost in terms of fee for consultation and initial certification usually does not exceed Rupees One Lac.

The good news is, Govt. of India through Development Commissioner, Small Scale Industry grants a reimbursement of upto of 75% of expenses (subject to a maximum of Rs.75000/-) incurred for getting ISO 9000 certification to all the registered small scale units. There are other agencies as well that support implementation of ISO in SSIs as State Bank of India, State Governments.

Q. How long does it take to get ISO 9000 Certification.

A. Depending upon the commitment of the owner-managers, the time taken could be 3 months to one year.

Q. What is the validity period of ISO 9000 Certification.

A. An ISO certification is granted initially for a period of three years.

Q. Is there any fine on non-compliance after obtaining ISO 9000 certification ?

A. No there is no provision of any fine in such circumstances.

Q. Can there be surprise audits to see if the ISO 9000 standards are being adhered to after certification is obtained.?

A. There is no such thing as a spot/ surprise ISO 9000 audit. Once the certification is obtained then only surveillance audits are conducted, usually every six months or so that too with prior information.

Q. Can the ISO certification be revoked.?

A. Yes, but you will be given every opportunity to correct problems before such drastic action is taken.

Q. Do we have to keep additional manpower for continuous implementation of ISO standards.

A. No. While introducing and implementing the standards the consultants must train your personnels as to how the standards are to be implemented on day to day basis. One or more of your staff members are usually trained by consultants to conduct internal audits as per the requirements of ISO 9000. Or you could utilize the services of consultants at nonminal fee.

Q: What is the ISO 14000 Standard?

A: ISO 14001 is an emerging standard entitled "Environmental Management Systems - Specification" Although it has no formal relationship to the ISO 9000 family of documents, it is structured much like the ISO 9001 standard. A central element of the ISO 14001 standard is the "Environmental Policy" defined by an organization's top management. A system is then defined that ensures that the environmental policy is carried out by the organization. This involves planning, implementation and operations, checking and corrective action, and management review.

Q: What are the advantages of ISO 9001:2000?

A: 1. Passport for International Market.
2. Professional Image.
3. Increased customer confidence.
4. Improved quality cut in costs oeing to rejection control
5. clarity of responsibility and authority.
6. Better and Defined system.
7. Consistent Quality.
8. Improved Cycle Time.

ISO 9000 CHECKLIST

Check List of documents to be annexed long with the Application for claiming reimbursement of expenses of ISO-9000 certificate.

PARMANENT SSI CERTIFICATE

1. Copy of permanent SSI Registration duly attested (each page to be attested) by General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC) or State Director of Industries or Director, small Industries Services Institute (SISI) or Chartered Accountant (Name, Signature, Membership number and Seal) (members may kindly note that permanent SSI Certificate must be signed only by the officials stated above, in no case officials below the ranks stated above are accepted by the Ministry).

AFFIDAVIT

2. Letter (in original) from General Manager, District Industries Centre, (DIC) or Director of Industries confirming SSI Status and functional status of the unit at the time of acquiring ISO-9000 and so as on date on the lines of Format at Annexure. I.
OR
An Affidavit (in original) duly sworn before a Notary Public as per annexure "I" (with Notary Seal, Notarial Stamp & Notary Registration no; and Chartered Accountant's Certificate of investment in plant and machinery as per Annexure "II" (Member may kindly note that the language of the affidavit must not differ in any circumstances as described in the Format).

ISO CERTIFICATE

3. Copy of ISO-9000 Certificate duly attested by General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC) or State director of Industries or director, Small Industries Services Institute (SISI) or Chartered Accountant (Name, signature, Membership number and Seal).

ISO REGISTRATION SCHEDULE CERTIFICATE

4. The Registration schedule Certificate must have address of site/location certified, scope of Certification, Certificate No., date of issue & period of validity (or expiry), Name & Logo of the Accreditation Body/Board. (Member may kindly note that ISO Certificate must accompany the Registration Certificate Copy, Registration Schedule Copy and Name & Logo of the Accreditation Body/ board separately attested by the Chartered Accountant mentioning his full name, registration no. & date).

EXPENDITURE INCURRED CERTIFICATE.

5. Chartered Accountant's certificate of the details of the Expenses incurred by the unit in acquiring ISO-9000 Certificate in Annexure "III"

UNDERTAKING

6. Undertaking/declaration of the Incentive/grant/subsidy already received if any, in Annexure "IV" on a non-Judicial stamp & notary Registration nos. addresses & signatures, Notary Seal, Notarial Stamp & Notary Registration nos.
(Members may kindly note that the undertaking must accompany the names, signature and full addresses of the two witnesses in whose front the declaration has been made and the language of the undertaking must not differ in any circumstances as described in the format).

PRE-RECEIPT

7. Pre-receipt in Triplicate in Annexure "v" (Members may kindly not that the triplicate copies must be signed by the proprietor/director of the company on the top of the revenue stamps not at any other place).

8. Any other documents annexed to be mentioned.