ISO and Other Standards

ISO 9000
The current version ISO 9000:2000 is a series of four individual (ISO 9000, ISO 9001, ISO 9004, ISO 19011), but related, international standards on quality management systems. These are applicable to all types of industries, manufacturing and service alike, regardless of size or product line. The standard used for certification is ISO 9001. Certifications to the 1994 revision of ISO 9001, 9002 and 9003 were valid only till December 14, 2003.

ISO/TS 16949, QS 9000
QS 9000 is the common supplier quality standard for General Motors, Ford, Daimler Chrysler & Truck Manufacturers. QS 9000 third edition is based on the 1994 edition of ISO 9001 as the foundation and contains additional requirements (considered as automotive "interpretations") that are particular to the automotive industry. In section II it also contains customer specific requirements. It applies to the suppliers of production materials and production & service parts. It also applies to suppliers of services such as heat-treating, painting, plating or other finishing services provided directly to OEM customers subscribing to QS 9000. It applies to providers of semiconductors in conjunction with Semiconductor Supplement and to providers of tooling and equipment in conjunction with Tooling and Equipment (TE) Supplement. Although harmonization discussions with the French, German and Italian OEMs are continuing, registration to AVSQ, EAQF or VDA6 is not equivalent to QS 9000 registration.

This standard is not going to be available after December 14, 2006. The new international standard for the automotive industry is ISO/TS 16949 which is based on ISO 9001:2000.

AS 9100A
This Aerospace Industry Standard is based on ISO 9001:2000 and contains additional requirements / clarifications / qualifiers and notes applicable to this industry.

TL 9000
It uses ISO 9000 as a foundation, but goes a step further. The TL 9000 Quality System Requirements and TL 9000 Quality System Metrics Handbooks include an agreed upon set of sector specific Quality System Requirements and Metrics that were drawn from the best features of similar management system standards and most effective quality practices currently being used in the telecommunications industry.

ISO 13485
The quality system standard for medical device manufacturers EN 46001/2:1996 and ISO 13485/88:1996 were replaced with ISO 13485:2003. Medical Device manufacturers certification to the EN 46001/2 standards remained valid until 1 March 2004, and at this point they had to be replaced with certifications to ISO 13485:2000 (EN 46001) and ISO 13488:2000 (EN46002).

ISO 14000
This is a series of international standards on environmental management tools and systems. This is not a performance standard but a process standard. It deals with a company's system for managing its day-to-day operations that have an impact on the environment. You must commit to meet the legal requirements; other than that, the performance targets you set are voluntary. The specific standard document you get certified to is ISO 14001.