ISO 9000: contemplating the benefits of registering design; the U.S. industry inches toward ISO 9001.(Cover Story)

Chemical Week, April, 1995 by Mullin, Rick

Chemical companies in the U.S. appear to be reluctant to adopt ISO 9001 quality standards with only 125 registered under this classification as opposed to 823 registered for ISO 9002. One reason for this discrepancy may be the perception that ISO 9001 standards are primarily for companies engaged in R&D and design work. Most companies see themselves in a manufacturing context, which they feel is addressed by ISO 9002 standards. These perspectives on the ISO 9000 series of standards are not necessarily correct, and may bear reconsideration by those in the chemical industry.

If U.S. chemical companies have learned that the primary benefit of the ISO 9000 quality standard is improved internal operations and not the leg Up in international trade for which it was first pursued,...

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