ISO Summary

ENG Electric is proud to announce it's success in the qualification process and certification to ISO9001.

   ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization.  At present, 130 countries belong to this organization including the United States of America.  ISO's objective is to promote the development of standards worldwide for purposes of improved operating efficiency, improved productivity, and reduced cost.

     One of the standards developed by ISO is ISO-9000. While ISO-9000 has at times been perceived in North America as a European standard, it is in fact an international set of documents written by members of a worldwide committee (ISO / Technical Committee 176). ISO-9000 is an international standard for the implementation and management of a quality assurance system.

     To receive ISO-9000 certification, applicants must demonstrate a mastering of the following "Quality System Elements":
        Management Responsibility
        Quality System Principles
        Document Control
        Purchasing
        Product Identification and Traceability
        Control of Production
        Inspection and Testing
        Inspection, Measuring and Test Equipment
        Inspection and Test Status
        Control of Non-conforming Product
        Corrective Action
        Handling, Storage, Packaging and Delivery
        Quality Records
        Internal Audits
        Training
        Statistical Techniques

Also, there are basically three levels of documentation required by ISO-9000.
     The top level is the Quality Manual. This document explains company policy regarding each of the Quality System Elements (see preceding page for the listing of the Quality System Elements).
      The second level of documentation consists of the various Operating Procedures. These documents identify and explicitly detail all department and quality assurance procedures.
      The third level of documentation contains specific work instructions, inspection procedures, and record forms, etc.

For your reference, we have listed below some of the benefits we feel are associated with ISO-9000 certification:
     Worldwide Recognition.  Over the past couple of years there has been an increasing trend toward universal acceptance of ISO-9000 as a quality system standard. Many buyers and sellers worldwide see the benefit of using a common standard.
     Improved Quality and Productivity.  ISO certification assures a high level of product quality and productivity. Successful certification to an ISO-9000 standard through a recognized accreditation body assures that a good quality management system exists and is functioning properly.
     Builds Customer Confidence.  A quality system certified to an ISO-9000 standard can be used to convince prospective customers that a company is capable of producing products according to their requirements. This qualified opinion of an impartial third-party can give extra confidence to customers who would otherwise rely solely on the claims of the manufacturer.

ISO protocols require that all standards be reviewed at least every five years.  The 1994 versions of the ISO9000 standards are currently being revised by ISO's Technical Committee TC176, for publication in the year 2000.  Detailed information regarding this revision process may be obtained by consulting the following Internet websites:  www.iso.ch  or  www.bsi.org.uk/iso-tc176-sc2/ 

One of the results of this revision will be the replacement of the 1994 editions of ISO9001, ISO9002, and ISO9003 standards with a single ISO9001:2000 standard.  Additionally the Quality System Elements (listed above) will be restructured into 4 major areas: Management Responsibility; Resource Management; Product Realization; and Measurement, Analysis and Improvement.  The roles of top management and customer focus will be emphasized more.  ISO9001:2000 will be based on the following eight management principles:
     Customer-Focused Organization
     Leadership
     Involvement of People
     Process Approach
     System Approach to Management
     Continual Improvement
     Factual Approach to Decision-Making
     Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationship

Certificates issued to these 1994 editions of ISO9000 will only have a maximum validity of three years from the date of publication of ISO9001:2000.