Internal Auditor Training
Interested in Training your Internal Auditors?

Internal Auditing is one of the elements assessed in the Quality System audit. The better your audit team the better your system. CSC has developed an internal auditing course for companies going through registration, as well as for registered companies who want to expand their audit team.

We customize each program to fit your needs. If you have an existing documented system, we can integrate your own procedures and audit forms into the program so that the training will be conducted on processes and procedures familiar to those being trained.

Courses for new auditors are generally 2-3 days, depending on the complexity of your business and are provided at a location of the customer's choice.

Auditor improvement courses can be provided in as little as 1/2 day, minimizing the impact on your operations.

Each participant receives a comprehensive internal auditor training package that includes detailed interpretations of the ISO 9001 standard as well as auditing tips for each ISO requirement and standard audit forms.

Finally, what makes our course so effective is that we can include an optional supervised internal audit on the final day of the course so that the participants get some immediate hands-on training.

For more information on Internal Auditor Training please contact us.

Additional Training Courses
Interested in Training?

CSC offers several different quality management training programs specifically directed to ISO 9001, TS 16949, QS 9000, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO 9000-3 / TickIT certification. We provide quality system awareness training for organizations thinking about developing an approved quality management system. We also provide staff and management-level training for firms that have already begun the process to become certified.

We also possess many attributes above and beyond the implementation of Quality Management Systems. Here are some examples of programs we can provide:

  Electronic Document and Forms Management
  Statistical Process Control
  Measurement System Analysis/Gage R&R
  Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
  Cost of Quality Measurement

Other programs have been customized to the clients' requirements. If you have a quality management related problem and are not sure how to handle it, we will give you an honest answer.

For more information on these training programs please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions ISO 9000

What is ISO?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the international agency for standardization. At present, it comprises the national standards bodies of 91 countries. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is the member body representing the United States. ISO is made up of approximately 180 Technical Committees. Each Technical Committee is responsible for one of many areas of specialization ranging from asbestos to zinc. The purpose of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related world activities to facilitate the international exchange of goods and services, and to develop cooperation in intellectual, scientific, technological, and economic activity. The results of ISO technical work are published as international standards. The standards discussed here are a result of this process.

What are the ISO 9000 series standards?

The ISO 9000 series is a set of 3 individual, but related documents on the concepts of quality management systems. They are generic, not specific to any particular products or organizations. They can be used by manufacturing and service industries alike. These standards were developed to effectively develop, implement and improve an organization's quality management system. The ISO 9000 Series of standards do not themselves specify how you have to do anything, just what you have to consider.

There are several benefits to implementing this series in your company. For example, it will guide you to build quality into your product or service and avoid costly, after-the-fact inspections, warranty costs, and rework. In addition, you may also be able to reduce the number of audits customers perform on your operation. Increasingly, customers are accepting supplier quality system registration from an accredited third-party assessment based on these standards.

How does the Series work?

ISO 9000 as a stand alone document provides definitions and terminology for use with IS 9001.  ISO 9001 is "The "Standard" which organizations get certified / registered to. ISO 9001 was originally developed for use in contractual situations such as those between a customer and a supplier. ISO 9004 provides guidelines for improving the performance of your quality management system to meet business needs and take advantage of opportunities.

Are there U.S. standards that are the same as the ISO 9000 Series?

Yes. The United States adopted verbatim the ISO 9000 series as the ANSI/ASQ Q9000 series.

Who is using them?

Everyone!!!  Organizations around the globe have built and continue to build their quality management systems around these standards. Both large and small companies with international businesses perceive the ISO 9000 series as a route to open markets and improved competitiveness. You don't have to be a multinational corporation or have business overseas to benefit from implementing these standards in your company.

What about the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, the Deming Prize, etc.? Aren't these programs equivalent or better "standards" than the IS0 9000 series?

The answer to this question is simple: you can't hope to meet the expectations of any of these programs if you aren't already implementing the ISO 9000 standards in your company. These standards provide the foundation on which you can build your quality management and quality assurance systems so you may ultimately achieve a high level of success. Moreover, the ISO 9000 series is the only system accepted internationally.

Are there any additional guidelines for the ISO 9000 (ANSI/ASQ Q9000) series?

Yes. ISO 9004-2 was prepared as a guideline for service industries and ISO 9000-3 deals with software. In addition, there is the ISO 19011 standard on various aspects of auditing quality management systems. There are also documents on guidelines for implementing ISO 9001; project management; process industries; configuration management; quality plans; quality manuals; economics of quality; and continuous improvement. Of course, there is the vocabulary document ISO 8402 (ANSI/ASQ A8402) that defines the terminology contained in the ISO 9000 series.

Are the standards readily understood?

The standards were designed to be user-friendly. They are generic in nature and follow a logical, easily understood format. However, each company is unique and there may be wide differences in companies' readiness to implement the standards.

How much will it cost and how long will it take to implement these standards?

Unfortunately there is no set answer. Each company is different. The answer really depends on how developed your present system is and the implementation strategy you adopt.

I'm hearing a great deal about being registered to ISO 9001. What does this mean?

Of all the questions about the ISO 9000 series, this is probably the one that causes the most concern. Increasingly, European and other foreign customers expect U.S. companies to have their quality systems registered to ISO 9001. This generally involves having an accredited independent third party conduct an on-site audit of your company's operations against the requirements of the standard. Upon successful completion of this audit, your company will receive a registration certificate that identifies your quality management system as being in compliance with ISO 9001. Your company will also be listed in a register maintained by the accredited third-party registration organization. You may publicize your registration and use the third-party registrar's certification mark and the accreditation body's mark on your advertising, letterheads, and other publicity materials (but not on your products).

How long does it take to get certified?

Certification times vary. Companies have been certified in as little as 3 months or in as many as 3 years. On average though, you can plan on 9 to 18 months from the time you decide to get certified until your registration assessment, depending on the resources that you dedicate to these efforts.

How hard is it to implement an ISO/QS system?

How hard your implementation will be depends completely on what your current system is like. If you have a fairly good system (you review most of what you do; you control most of what you do; you document much of what you do and you do what you document), then implementation will be fairly easy. Unfortunately, most organizations don't review or control as well as they should - hence the standards.

If my company is not registered as complying with IS0 9001, does it mean that we will not be able to sell our products globally?

ISO 9000 registration is not a legal requirement for access to foreign markets, but it can be beneficial. In the European Union (EU) for many regulated products, ISO 9000 registration is an alternative for product certification, not an absolute requirement. In fact, as cited in most EU legislation, quality system registration is neither mandatory--there are other paths to product certification--nor is it a stand-alone procedure.

Manufacturer compliance with either EN 29002 or 29003 is usually combined with product type testing at the design stage for full certification to EU legal requirements. Manufacturers interested in the European markets need to review relevant EU product safety directives available from the U.S. Department of Commerce for specifics applicable to their product area.

Outside of regulated product areas, the importance of ISO 9000 registration as a competitive market tool varies from sector to sector. For instance, in some sectors, European companies may require suppliers to attest that they have an approved quality system in place as a condition for purchase. This could be specified in any business contract. ISO 9000 registration may also serve as a means of differentiating "classes" of suppliers, particularly in high-tech areas, where high product reliability is crucial. In other words, if two suppliers are competing for the same contract, the one with ISO 9000 registration may have a competitive edge with some buyers. Sector and product areas where purchasers are more likely to generate pressure for ISO 9000 registration include aerospace, autos, electronic components, measuring and testing instruments, and so on. ISO 9000 registration may also be a competitive factor in product areas where safety or liability are concerns.

How long is a registration valid?

The accredited third-party registrar will perform periodic surveillance to assure that your quality system is being maintained. Registrars are also required to perform a full re-audit after a specified time (typically three or four years). If you fail to maintain your quality system, the registrar will suspend or cancel your registration.

Is being assessed to ANSI/ASQ Q9001, the same as being assessed to ISO 9001?

Yes, but to eliminate debate, make sure that the third-party registrar includes both the ISO number and date and the ANSI/ASQ number and date on your registration certificate and in the registrar's published directory of registered suppliers (for example, "ISO 9001-2000; ANSI/ASQ Q9001-2000").

If I decide IS0 9001 registration is strategically right for our business, how do I choose a competent registrar?

There are many factors that will affect your choice of a registrar, such as: what is their mutual recognition status, are they knowledgeable in my industry as well as in auditing quality systems, how many similar firms have they registered, what is re-audit schedule and does it complement our business cycle, and, most important, are they accredited. Your selection of an accredited registrar won't automatically guarantee access to all global markets, but it is the best way to ensure that you have a competent registrar whose methods of operation and qualifications have been subjected to intense scrutiny, with the full weight of the ANSI due process system behind it. It can give you assurance that the dollars you invest in this decision are spent wisely. The Registrar Accreditation Board and the American National Standards Institute work continuously on behalf of U.S. industry so that registrars accredited in the United States will be recognized internationally.

What is QS 9000?

QS-9000 is the shorthand name for "Quality System Requirements QS-9000." It is the common supplier quality standard for Chrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. QS-9000 is based on the 1994 edition of ISO 9001, but it contains additional requirements that are particular to the automotive industry. These additions are considered automotive "interpretations" by the ISO community of accreditation bodies and registrars. QS-9000 applies to suppliers of production materials, production and service parts, heat treating, painting and plating and other finishing services. It does not, therefore, apply to all suppliers of the Big Three. For more information see the QS 9000 FAQs.

ISO 9000 Faces Complete Restructuring Under 2000 Revisions

The ISO 9000 quality management systems (QMS) standards are set to take on a completely different look under revisions slated for release in November or December of 2000. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) requires all of its standards to be reviewed every five years to determine whether they should be confirmed, revised or withdrawn. ISO 9000, first released in 1987, underwent limited revisions in 1994. A more thorough revision was begun by ISO Technical Committee (TC) 176, Quality Management and Quality Assurance, in 1996, with Subcommittee (SC) 2, Quality Systems, developing revision drafts. The First Committee Draft (CD1) of the ISO 9000: 2000 standards was released in July 1998, with the Second Committee Draft (CD2) published in February 1999 and the Draft International Standard (DIS) released in November 1999. These drafts consist of four primary standards, replacing more than 20 standards and documents.

The four primary standards are:

ISO 9000: Quality Management Systems - Fundamentals and Vocabulary, replacing ISO 9000-1 and 8402

ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems - Requirements, replacing ISO 9001, 9002 and 9003

ISO 9004: Quality Management Systems - Guidelines for Performance Improvement, replacing ISO 9004-1

ISO 19011: Guidelines on Auditing Quality and Environmental Management Systems, replacing ISO 10011-1, 10011-2 and 10011-3, as well as the ISO 14010, 14011 and 14012 environmental auditing standards

Other old ISO 9000 standards and documents are being reviewed by ISO/TC 176 for incorporation into the new standards, withdrawal or reissue as technical reports. The new standards, particularly ISO 9001, are being designed to be more generic, to follow a process-based structure, to be more compatible with the ISO 14000 series of environmental management systems (EMS) standards, and allow for integrated management systems. Under the 2000 revisions, ISO 9001 becomes more generic through the new option of being tailored to omit requirements that don't apply to an organization or limit the scope of application under Section 1.2, Permissible Exclusions. This eliminates the need for the less comprehensive ISO 9002 and 9003 standards. In addition, there are no QMS documentation layout or structure requirements.

The new process-based structure, similar to that used in ISO 14001, creates a completely different look for ISO 9001. The 20 elements have been replaced by five clauses containing 23 elements. The two standards are more compatible under this approach, making it easier to integrate management systems and combine documentation.

ISO 9004, Section 4.3 and ISO 9000, Section 0.2. set forth eight quality management principles, which have been identified to facilitate the achievement of quality objectives. These principles are the basis of ISO 9001. They are:

  Customer Focus
  Leadership
  Involvement of People
  Process Approach
  System Approach to Management
  Continual Improvement
  Factual Approach to Decision Making
  Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationships

Major clauses of ISO 9001: 2000 are:

Quality Management System (2 elements), which briefly states general requirements, including such documentation as procedures and work instructions. It sets the general framework to establish a quality management system, which defines and manages processes in order to produce a good product or service and allow for continual improvement.

Management Responsibility (6 elements), under which management defines policy, objectives, planning and quality management system requirements, while providing for feedback through management review for change authorization and initiation of improvement. It addresses management's responsibility to establish a system that continually meets customer needs and expectations, even in times of organizational change. This responsibility includes quality objectives at each organizational function and level.

Resource Management (4 elements), where necessary resources, such as human resources and facilities, are determined and applied. Theses resources, which include new elements covering facilities and work environment, are required to implement and maintain the quality management system.

Product Realization (6 elements), under which processes, such as customer-related processes, design, purchasing, and production and service operations, are established and implemented. These processes are needed to manufacture product and/or deliver services from receipt to delivery. Organizations must define and describe their unique business processes, but are not obliged to use the standard's structure.

Measurement, Analysis and Improvement (5 elements), where results are measured, analyzed and improved through internal audits, nonconformity control and continual improvement. Organizations are required to measure and monitor processes, and product and/or service conformity. Collected data must be analyzed to initiate corrective and preventive action for continual improvement.

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