Latest ISO Survey confirms integration of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 with world economy

[Sidney Vianna]

http://www.iso.org/iso/en/commcentre...05/Ref967.html
Ref.: 967
15 September 2005
Latest ISO Survey confirms integration of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 with world economy

The newly published latest edition of The ISO Survey of Certifications confirms the “thorough integration” of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 with the world economy. The survey also shows the success of the ISO 9001:2000 transition and reveals that the service sectors are now by far the biggest users of the standards.

The annual survey, now in its 14th edition, provides a worldwide panorama of certification to ISO’s quality and environmental management system standards. The latest edition reveals the situation at the end of 2004, the first full year after the three-year period allowed for transition to the ISO 9001:2000 version.

The worldwide total of certificates to the ISO 9001:2000 quality management systems standard at the end of 2004 was 670 399, an increase of 35 % over the previous year and 64 % over 2000, the year before the transition to ISO 9001:2000 began. Certificates had been issued in 154 countries compared to 149 a year earlier.

With 90 569 ISO 14001 certificates at the end of 2004, an increase of 37 % over the previous year, ISO’s environmental management system standard confirms its global progression. Certificates had been issued in 127 countries, up from 113 the year before. The increase in the number of certificates in 2004 is the largest so far recorded in the ten surveys in which ISO 14001 has been included.

For the first time, the survey provides certification data on two ISO standards that include the requirements of ISO 9001:2000, plus sector-specific requirements. It shows that at least 10 056 certificates had been issued in 62 economies to ISO/TS 16949:2002, which gives quality management systems requirements for suppliers to the international automotive industry.

In addition, at least 3 068 certificates had been issued in 56 countries and economies to ISO 13485:2003, the sector-specific quality management standard for the medical device sector.

The survey points out that if the number of certifications to the ISO 9001:2000-based specific quality requirements published by ISO for the automotive industry and the medical device sector is added to the total for ISO 9001:2000 then the aggregate total at the end of 2004 was 683 523.

“Even this figure does not fully reflect the market penetration of ISO 9001:2000,” ISO Secretary General Alan Bryden commented. “ISO 9001:2000 is the core too for specific quality standards developed by major sectors. An example is the telecommunication sector’s TL 9000, which accounts for well over 1 000 certificates. ISO has also worked with the oil and gas industry to develop the ISO 9001:2000 based ISO/TS 29001 and this will no doubt generate many more certifications. The conclusion is that ISO 9001:2000 is providing a common, harmonized base of quality system requirements for global supply chains in one major sector after another.

“In fact, the survey results confirm that both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 are thoroughly integrated with the world economy. They show too that the transition to the improved, more rigorous ISO 9001:2000 version has been a success as the world total of certifications is now far in excess of the total before the transition began. This augurs well for the current transition to the improved ISO 14001:2004.

“One of the development objectives for ISO 9001:2000 was to make it easier for service providers to achieve benefits from the ISO 9000 approach. Therefore, it is both encouraging and highly significant that not only ISO 9001:2000 but also ISO 14001 certification is now highest in the service sectors, each accounting for 31 % of all certificates, This validates ISO’s decision to make standards for services one of its major growth areas.”

ISO out-sourced the collection and compilation of data for the 2004 survey to the market research firm ACNielsen, of Vienna, Austria.

The principal survey findings are provided free of charge on ISO’s Web site, including world, regional and country breakdowns.

The ISO Survey of Certifications - 2004 (ISBN 92-67-1040-1) is also available as a combined report and CD-ROM from ISO’s national member institutes (see full list with contact details) and ISO Central Secretariat (see below) at a cost of 48 Swiss francs. In addition to the categories of data listed above, the report includes world totals by industrial sector, while the CD-ROM also provides country-by-country breakdowns by industrial sector.

Note for Editors
Certification of conformity is not a requirement of the ISO standards themselves, which can be implemented without certification for the benefits that they help user organizations to achieve for themselves and for their customers. Nevertheless, many thousands of organizations have chosen certification because of the perception that an independent confirmation of conformity adds value.

ISO itself does not perform certification to its standards, does not issue certificates and does not control certification performed independently of ISO by other organizations. However, it frequently receives requests for information on the number of certificates and this led the organization to undertake The ISO Survey, which is now in its 12th year. ISO provides the basic results free-of-charge as a public information service

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[Sidney Vianna]

Comparing the numbers from the 2003 and 2004 surveys, China has increased the number of ISO 9001:2000 certificates by over 35,000. According to the 2004 survey, there are approximately 37,000 ISO 9001 certificates in the US. So, they (China) have added, in one year, somethig close to the TOTAL numbers of certs over here. Impressive numbers. I hope the accreditation bodies over there are policing the market, as expected.

During my recent trip to South America, I heard some horror stories of certificates in Asia. Like the one that an aerospace OEM had received a copy of the ISO certificate for a company that wanted to become a supplier to them and, when pressed for a site visit, the supplier admitted that they had nothing but a piece of land....where the factory was going to be built.....sometime in the future....yet to be determined....

[Wes Bucey]

So, Sidney:
In view of the anecdote about an ISO certificate of registration for a plant that was still in the planning stages, may we ask if any followup was ever done to:

1. ascertain and substantiate the facts surrounding the anecdote?
2. the identity of the aerospace OEM?
3. the identity of the registrar?
4. whether a complaint was filed with the entity that accredited the registrar?

The worst part of this tale is that I believe it happened just as you report, but I also believe no one made an effort to "raise a ruckus" about such an apparent abuse of the ISO registration process. (Most might say, "It's not my job, man!")

As long as such tales remain in the "urban legend" category [unsubstantiated rumors], it diminishes the value of EVERYONE's ISO registration certificate because there is no apparent "retribution" for the miscreants who lie and cheat. In fact, some of them may be getting away with such lying and cheating right now.

It seems to me that we in the Quality profession owe it to the profession to

1. track down such rumors and see that an investigation is made to stem the abuse
   OR,
2. to expose the rumor as false

Continuing to spread the rumor without substantiation ALSO diminishes the value of the ISO certificate of registration.

[Sidney Vianna]

Good points, Wes. Unfortunately, the case was told in a networking, almost social atmosphere. I did not make a point of interrogating the informer and get all the "hard facts". Maybe I should have or not posted the anecdote. I will be more careful in the future. Nevertheless, the pace of ISO 9001 certificates being issued in China makes some people wonder ...

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Sidney Vianna

Good points, Wes. Unfortunately, the case was told in a networking, almost social atmosphere. I did not make a point of interrogating the informer and get all the "hard facts". Maybe I should have or not posted the anecdote. I will be more careful in the future. Nevertheless, the pace of ISO 9001 certificates being issued in China makes some people wonder ...

I'm not beating you or anyone up on this, Sidney. A good story is a good story and hard to resist, especially if it serves to reinforce our own preconceived notions.

My point is simply that as quality professionals, we are trained to ignore anecdotal tales and look for documented evidence. We do our profession a disservice when we don't follow that methodology even in the "after hours" tales we swap with friends.

In terms of China and/or India and the seeming record pace of registrations to a Standard, should we not also consider several "associated facts" which may clarify our view of the situation?

China and India EACH have populations nearly four times that of the United States. They are bursting full blown on the international industry and commerce scene and they NEED some sort of "credibility" to get a seat at the table among the American and European organizations which have been on the international scene for generations. One of the quickest ways to gain that credibility is to achieve registration to an international Standard. It would seem there is a certain organizational "will" which drives the demand for achieving that registration and subsequent credibility.

In Europe and in America, mature organizations which have already achieved international recognition and status rightfully question whether the ISO icon carries value for them any more once it ceases being a badge of "exclusivity" and instead becomes "run of the mill" held by thousands and thousands of organizations ranging from "mom and pop" shops to professional football [soccer] teams.

It is a sad tale, but true, that we value most that which is most difficult to attain. The concept of a good Quality Management System allied with a good Business Management System won't go out of style, but there are some who predict the "ISO registration craze" may be nearing the end of its cycle. The question is, "What's the next craze?"

[Sidney Vianna]

The "free of charge" summary is available HERE

Ref.: 1021
3 August 2006
The ISO Survey sheds light on roles of management system standards in globalization

ISO has just published The ISO Survey of Certifications – 2005, which sheds light on the roles played in globalization by ISO’s standards for quality and environmental management systems. Here is a selection of the main findings.
• Global Trade
ISO 9001:2000 is now firmly established as the globally accepted standard for providing assurance about the quality of goods and services in supplier-customer relations. Up to the end of December 2005, at least 776 608 ISO 9001:2000 certificates had been issued in 161 countries and economies, an increase of 18 % over 2004, when the total was 660 132 in 154 countries and economies.
• Sustainable business
Similarly, ISO 14001 confirms its global relevance for organizations wishing to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner. Up to the end of December 2005, at least 111 162 ISO 14001 certificates (1996 and 2004 versions consolidated) had been issued in 138 countries and economies, an increase of 24 % over 2004, when the total was 89 937 in 127 countries and economies. • Unifying base and supply chains
The status of ISO 9001:2000 as a unifying base for the quality requirements of specific sectors and its use to qualify suppliers in global supply chains is illustrated by the growth of ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification in the automotive sector. Up to the end of December 2005, at least 17 047 ISO/TS 16949:2002 certificates had been issued in 80 countries and economies, an increase of 70 % over 2004 when the total was 10 019 certificates in 62 countries and economies.
• Technical support for regulation
The use of ISO 9001:2000 as a technical support in the regulated area is illustrated by the growth of certification to ISO 13485:2003, for which it provides the core, in the medical device industry. Up to the end of December 2005, at least 5 065 ISO 13485:2003 certificates had been issued in 67 countries and economies, an increase of 111 % over 2004 when the total was 2 403 in 55 countries and economies.
• Tools for new major players
The strong performance of China, which is again in the top 10 countries for growth in both ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 certification, and of India, which is again in the top 10 for ISO 9001:2000 growth and enters the top 10 for ISO 14001 growth, is no doubt partly linked to their increasing participation in global supply chains, in export trade and in business process outsourcing.
• Rise of services
The rising importance of services in the global economy is borne out by the survey – nearly 33 % of ISO 9001:2000 certificates and 31 % of ISO 14001 certificates in 2005 went to organizations in the service sectors. The latter statistic also illustrates that good environmental management is not just for “smoke stack” industry – and that service providers are accepting their social responsibilities in this area.
The principal findings of the survey, which is now in its 13th year, are provided free of charge on ISO’s Web site, including world, regional and country breakdowns.
The ISO Survey of Certifications - 2005 (ISBN 92-67-10419-9) is available as a combined 44-page colour brochure and CD-ROM from ISO’s national member institutes (see full list with contact details) and ISO Central Secretariat (see below) at a cost of 48 Swiss francs. In addition to the categories of data listed above, the report includes world totals by industrial sector, while the CD-ROM also provides country-by-country breakdowns by industrial sector.
Note to Editors
Certification of conformity is not a requirement of the ISO standards themselves, which can be implemented without certification for the benefits that they help user organizations to achieve for themselves and for their customers. Nevertheless, many thousands of organizations have chosen certification because of the perception that an independent confirmation of conformity adds value.
ISO itself does not perform certification to its standards, does not issue certificates and does not control certification performed independently of ISO by other organizations. However, it frequently receives requests for information on the number of certificates and this led the organization to undertake The ISO Survey. ISO provides the basic results free-of-charge as a public information service
ISO Store: to order The ISO Survey of Certifications - 2005
Enquiries about orders:
Ms. Sonia Rosas Friot
Marketing Services
Tel. +41 22 749 03 36
Fax +41 22 749 09 47
E-mail sales@iso.org
Press contact:
Roger Frost
Press and Communication Manager
Public Relations
Tel. +41 22 749 01 11
Fax +41 22 733 34 30
E-mail frost@iso.org

[Crusader]

If this really happens, then what happens with TS-16949??

[Helmut Jilling]

Originally Posted by Lee

If this really happens, then what happens with TS-16949??

I am not clear as to what you are asking. The globalization of ISO 14001, and the integrated implementations with ISO 9001 or TS-16949 is already occurring. This does not damage TS, it halps reinforce it, doesn't it?