The organization I am working with recently opened a plant in China, and are starting ISO9001:2000 registration prep. A consultant they are interested in recommended a large global registrar (TUV Rheinland). Any ideas on how to know the effectiveness of registrars in their work in China? I was thinking of using a different large global registrar with a web portal so I can keep an eye on the reports and corrective actions.

Welcome to the cove :bigwave:

This is basically your call - any reputed organization should be ok according to me. On my personal side, I like to keep a common registrar amongst all plants for better understanding and relationship.

Any ideas on how to know the effectiveness of registrars in their work in China?

You need to be very careful with this one. In my opinion, effectiveness should be internally driven because quality is after all a habit or culture. What the registrar or its representatives see in the few days may not be what it normally is. Many companies do last minute window dressings, touching up documents, etc to look good.

With regards to foreign based CBs, what I know is that Lloyds and SGS were jostling for top place followed by TUV.

With regards to foreign based CBs, what I know is that Lloyds and SGS were jostling for top place followed by TUV.

Top place with regards to what?

Top place with regards to what?

As usual, number of certs issued (there were debates previously on whether this is a good indicator of effectiveness).

As usual, number of certs issued (there were debates previously on whether this is a good indicator of effectiveness).

I thought so. I find that the number of certs issued is pretty much irrelevant in selecting a registrar...