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# WHAT IS
ISO 9001:2015
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS

ISO 9001 is an international standard which specifies requirements to Quality Management Systems (QMS). It is the most well-recognized standard for quality management systems in the world that can benefit any size organization, which is intended for organizations that want to demonstrate their ability to produce products or deliver services consistently in accordance with customer and applicable legal requirements.

ISO 9001 is a generic standard which can be applied by organizations of any size operating in any sector. It has more than 1.1 million QMS certification issued in over 178 countries worldwide. It promotes the adoption of a process approach, incorporating the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and risk-based thinking when developing, implementing and improving the effectiveness of the quality management system.

## Benefits of ISO 9001:2015

- Improved customer satisfaction, retention and acquisition.

- Consistent outcomes, measured and monitored methodology.

- Create continual improvement culture within organization.

- Increase total efficiency, business opportunity and profit.

- Minimises mistake, wastage, scrap and resources.

- Decision-making based on factual data and record.

- Improve employee morale, knowledge, performance and productivity.

- Compliance to industry quality standard and regulatory requirements.

- Improves reporting and communications process internally and externally.

- Globally recognised quality standard improves company credibility and image.

## ISO 9001:2015 Clauses

1. Scope
2. Normative References
3. Terms and Definitions
4. Context of The Organization
5. Leadership
6. Planning
7. Support
8. Operation
9. Performance Evaluation
10. Improvement

## History of ISO 9001

ISO 9000 was first published in 1987 by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) based on the British Standard (BS) 5750 series of standards from BSI that were proposed to ISO in 1979. Nevertheless, its history can be traced back some twenty years prior to that, to the publication of government procurement standards, such as the United States Department of Defence MIL-Q-9858 standard in 1959, and the UK’s Def Stan 05-21 and 05–24.

Large organizations that supplied government procurement agencies often had to comply with a variety of quality assurance requirements for each contract awarded, which led the defence industry to adopt mutual recognition of NATO AQAP, MIL-Q, and Def Stan standards. Eventually, industries adopted ISO 9000 to standardize the requirements quality management systems globally.

## Why is ISO 9001 Important

Quality Management System (QMS) is important in providing framework of processes and procedures used for improving business’s operations and meeting the requirements of customers. Other reasons why it is important because:

- QMS is the foundation to become a high-quality organisation and to enhance the quality and economic value of both services and products.

- Enable you to evaluate all processes to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

- Increase customer experience that leads to customer loyalty, which is crucial in any businesses.

- PDCA approach allows organization to remain compliant with the latest requirements, standards and regulations.

- Ensure superb quality products and services in terms of performance, reliability and durability.

- A crucial parameter that differentiates your organization from other competitors.

- An excellent tool to deliver product and service according to customer wants and desires.

- The requirement of continuous improvement indicates that there is never a “perfect” state, thus processes can always be continually improved.

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