ISO 9000 – 2000 version : implications for applicants and examiners

The 2000 version of ISO 9000 is very exciting for quality practitioners because it embraces the principles of quality management that have received wide acceptance because of the publicity of the various National Quality Awards that are models based on these tenets. However, there are potential difficulties that lie ahead for those organizations that aspire to fulfill the requirements of this new version of ISO 9000 unless they recognize that there is a cultural gap between the new approach required as compared to the previous 1994 version. Similarly, auditors working with the new version must have a different background and approach as the emphasis is being changed from one that has been totally compliance‐based to a new approach that also includes evaluation of management techniques that requires hands‐on experience and judgment. Unless these two types of issues are properly addressed, the 2000 version of ISO 9000 will frustrate applicants and may tarnish the quality movement.