Making excellence a habit
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ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems is the world’s most popular and widely used standard, helping organisations around the world run more efficiently and effectively.
Whether your business has used a variant of ISO 9001 for decades, or is considering adopting it for the first time, there’s likely to be a lot about the standard that surprises you.
Here are seven questions to test your knowledge on the world’s favourite standard, with the answers following:
Question 1. How far back can ISO 9001 trace its origins?
Question 2. Which country has the most ISO 9001 certificates?
Question 3. What is the standard applicable for?
Question 4. How many other management systems standards (MSS) are available?
Question 5. How many organisations around the world are certified to the standard?
Question 6. In which comic strip did ISO 9001 make an appearance?
Question 7. How often is ISO 9001 reviewed?
Answer 1: All the way back to the 1950s!
The standard was originally based on BS 5750. Released in 1979, it was the first specific quality management systems standard. However, the history of the standard can actually trace its origins back to the 1950s, when the UK and US governments established standards for large scale military procurement exercises. These military specifications ended up being the forerunners to the quality management standards of today.
Answer 2: China
And by a long way! In 2020, there were 324,621 valid ISO 9001 certificates in China, compared to 49,349 in Germany, 25,995 in the UK, and 20,919 in the US. Italy has the second highest number of certificates.
Answer 3: All of the above, and much, much more
Amazingly, ISO 9001 is just as likely to be used in a hospital as it is on a warship. It’s designed to be applicable to any organisation, regardless of size, type, or industry. The only thing ISO 9001 users need in common is the will to continuously improve.
Answer 4: More than 80!
While ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems is the most popular standard, there are many other ISO Management Systems standards. Other well-known standards include:
One of the key ideas behind management system standards is that they are structured the same way and can be used together. (By the way, there are actually over 50 MSS setting out requirements and around 40 MSS giving guidance?)
Answer 5: More than 1,000,000!
An astonishing 1,000,000 organisations across 178 countries are now certified to the standard. If you’re not one of them, don’t get left behind!
Answer: 6: Dilbert
Yes, really. The standard is so popular that aliens looking for earthling management advice were recommended the standard in a July 1998 edition of Dilbert.
Answer 7: At least once every five years
To ensure that ISO 9001 continues to meet the needs of its users around the world, it’s reviewed at least once every five years (although often much more regularly). It was last reviewed in 2021. A special taskforce has been created to prepare for a future revision and ensure that key inputs are reviewed and considered.
Results:
0-2 = Looks like you’re a ISO 9001 rookie. To learn more about the standard and how it could benefit your business, visit BSI’s dedicated ISO 9001 page.
2-6 = Not bad, but could be better. To learn more about the standard and to get your questions answered, BSI Members can get in touch with the Knowledge Centre’s Information experts.
7 = Congratulations, you’re most definitely an ISO 9001 expert! Why not reward yourself with a listen to this special podcast about ISO 9001.
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