ISO 9001:2008 FAQs

ISO 9001:2008 FAQs

1. When was the new ISO 9001:2008 standard published?

The long awaited ISO 9001:2008 standard was officially published on 14 Nov 2008. 

2. Why revise the ISO 9001:2000 standard when it seems fine?

The revision is ISO’s formal review process which requires continual review to keep standards up to date. Revision must be initiated within 3 years of publication of a standard. The primary objective of the revision is to keep up with latest developments in management system practices.

3. What are the benefits of ISO 9001:2008 compared with ISO 9001:2000?

The benefits identified for the ISO 9001:2008 edition fall into the following categories:
-Provides clarity
-Increases compatibility with ISO 14001
-Maintains consistency with ISO 9000 family of standards
-Improves translatability

4. What are the changes?

ISO 9001:2008 has been developed in order to introduce clarifications to the existing requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and to improve compatibility with ISO 14001:2004. ISO 9001:2008 does not introduce additional requirements nor does it change the intent of the ISO 9001:2000 standard.

No new requirements were introduced in this edition but, in order to benefit from the clarifications of ISO 9001:2008, users of the former version will need to take into consideration whether the clarifications introduced have an impact on their current interpretation of ISO 9001:2000, as changes may be necessary to their QMS.

The requirements of ISO 9001:2008 remain applicable to small, medium, and large organizations alike, and such organizations should acquaint themselves with the clarifications in ISO 9001:2008.

5. What will happen to ISO 9001:2000?

ISO 9001:2008 will supersede ISO 9001:2000 However, noting the IAF/ISO-CASCO/ISO TC176 agreement that accredited certification to the 2000 edition should remain possible for up to 2 years after the publication of ISO 9001:2008, copies of the 2000 edition will still be available on request from ISO and the national standards bodies during that period, and possibly for even longer.

6. What is the impact of ISO 9001:2008 on certification?

One year after publication of ISO 9001:2008 all accredited certifications issued (new certifications or re-certifications) shall be to ISO 9001:2008. Twenty four months after publication by ISO of ISO 9001:2008, any existing certification issued to ISO 9001:2000 shall not be valid.

7.Is certification to ISO 9001:2008 better than ISO 9001:2000?

Certification to ISO 9001:2008 is not an “upgrade”, and organizations that are certified to ISO 9001:2000 should be afforded the same status as those who have already received a new certificate to ISO 9001:2008. However, certificates to ISO 9001:2000 will only remain valid until 2 years after the publication of ISO 9001:2008.

8. Must an ISO 9001:2000 certified company overhaul their quality system  documentation to comply with ISO 9001:2008?

ISO 9001:2008 does not introduce major changes to the requirements, when compared to ISO 9001:2000. However, to benefit from the changes, certified companies should get acquainted with the new version of the standard and the clarifications introduced. If, during the analysis of the clarifications companies find there are differences from their current interpretation of ISO 9001:2000, then they should analyse the impact on their current documentation and make the necessary arrangements to update it. It is intended that the amendment of ISO 9001 will have minimal or no impacts on documentation.

ISO 9001:2008 refers specifically to only 6 documented procedures; however, other documentation (including more documented procedures not specifically mentioned in ISO 9001:2008) may be required by an organization, in order to manage the processes that are necessary for the effective operation of the quality management system.  This will vary depending on the size of the organization, the kind of activities in which it is involved and their complexity.

9. How do companies get the most benefit out of ISO 9001:2008 implementation?

ISO 9001:2008 aims at guaranteeing the effectiveness (but not necessarily the efficiency) of the organization.  For improved organizational efficiency, however, the best results can be obtained by using ISO 9004 in addition to ISO 9001:2008.  The guiding quality management principles are intended to assist an organization in continual improvement, which should lead to efficiencies throughout the organization.

10. What are the benefits if ISO 9001:2008 is implemented correctly?

Customers will benefit by receiving the products /services that are:
 - Conforming to the requirements
 - Dependable and reliable
 - Available when needed
 - Maintainable

Employees will benefit from:
 - Better working conditions
 - Increased job satisfaction
 - Improved health and safety
 - Improved morale
 - Improved stability of employment

Owners and investors will benefit from:
 - Increased return on investment
 - Improved operational results
 - Increased market share
 - Increased profits

Suppliers and partners will benefit from:
 - Stability
 - Growth
 - Partnership and mutual understanding

Society will benefit from:

 - Fulfilment of legal and regulatory requirements
 - Improved health and safety
 - Reduced environmental impact
 - Increased security