Revisions to ISO 9001:2000 To Come in 2008

There will NOT likely be any significant changes to ISO 9001:2000 when it is revised in either 2008 or 2009. Here are some related facts that support this claim:

Since the re-write of ISO 9001 in 2000, ISO officials have been monitoring its implementation around the globe. Many companies have praised the change from the element to process approach, citing improved ease of integration with their current business processes. While more than 80% of companies worldwide indicate that they are satisfied with the changes made to ISO 9001, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) continues to monitor suggestions for improving the standard.

The ISO Review Process requires a review of each standard at least every five years. Their commitment to continual improvement involves constant review of each standard, which for ISO 9001 has been conducted through surveys, focus groups and one-on-one discussions. Suggestions for changes have come from companies worldwide, ranging from international corporations to family businesses.

A new version of ISO 9001 is currently in the ‘working-draft’ stage, and is expected to be released in 2008/2009. No major changes are anticipated for this revision. Any potentially big impact changes will be saved for the 2012 revision of the standard. The amendments will focus on changes that have high benefits while involving only minor implementation changes.

The changes will focus on clarification of clauses that have caused confusion. At the present time, the main areas of clarification include clauses falling under the following headings:

• 4.1 General Requirements
• 4.2 Documentation Requirements
• 6.2 Human Resources
• 7.3 Design and Development
• 7.5 Production and Service Provision
• 8.2 Measurement and Monitoring
• 8.5 Improvement

So, the changes proposed for 2008/2009 will primarily (if not totally) be limited to ‘clarifications’ about intent/application of existing requirements.

In fact, ISO 9000:2005 (which is a 'normative reference' to ISO 9001:2000 ... meaning it is really part of the standard) contains terms and definitions applicable to the standard and key to its proper and effective implementation. The '2005' revision of this document essentially 'foretells' clarifications to the requirements document itself when it is reissued in 2008/2009 to further strengthen/clarify intent.

Accordingly, organizations who have (or will) implement ISO 9001:2000 'as it was intended', will not likely be affected in any significant way by the next scheduled release of the standard.

Please check back to our 'news' link for future articles to be written as additional information becomes available about the forthcoming changes.

n the meantime, we stand ready to answer any questions you have about the existing standard (ISO 9001:2000), existing terms/definitions (ISO 9000:2005), guidelines for continual improvement (ISO 9004:2000), and (of course) our products for helping you implement these standards in the most effective and efficient manner possible.