Quality Management Systems — Requirements

International Organization for Standardization · Any industry, any size — products or services

The general-purpose quality management standard used across every industry, from electronics to clothing to services. It is built on the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and risk-based thinking, and it is the backbone most sector standards (including food schemes) borrow their document control, audit, training and corrective action requirements from.

Key points

• Top management must set a quality policy, measurable objectives and assign responsibilities.
• Processes must be identified, planned, monitored and improved with evidence.
• Risks and opportunities are addressed before problems reach the customer.
• Nonconformities require documented corrective action and effectiveness checks.
• Internal audits and management review run on a planned schedule.