Stampede to ISO9001:2000?

[Marc]

From: ISO Standards Discussion
Date: Thu, 25 May 2000 11:03:33 -0500
Subject: Comment: ISO 9000:2000 Update for NSAI /Paten

From: "Mike Paten" mpaten

A client of mine said they just received a letter from their registrar (NSAI) advising that they will begin offering 9001:2000 audits effective immediately.

Evidently, NSAI plans to issue a letter of conformance to ISO 9001:2000 (now) which can be automatically updated to a certificate/registration immediately upon release of the new standards.

Even though the ISO transition guidance allows companies to obtain or continue certification to the 1994 requirements for up to three years, NSAI said they will exclusively focus on assessing compliance with the new standard. In other words, all new registration audits will be to assess compliance with ISO 9001:2000. Period.

The "three year" transition many companies thought they would have according to ISO transition guidelines appears to have just got cut a whole lot shorter. Registrars have been kind of quiet on this subject. I would not be surprised to see many (if not most) registrars follow suit. Essentially this would mean - no "new" registrations to 1994 standards after issuance of the new standard. So if you're not currently ISO registered - forget the 1994 standards - or - if your 1994 certificate expires in less than three years - you now know what your "drop dead" date is for getting up to speed with the new requirements.

This really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Of course, it's also a leap to assume all registrars will follow suit. But - it is probably worth "discussing'. What are you all hearing and/or advising your clients? Are there any registrars out there that want to "go on record"?

I have advised all of my ISO/QS 9000 registered clients to get in touch with their registrar and press them for guidance. I have also advise them to tell their management that the new standards are coming and they need to develop and implement a transition plan of their own - probably a little sooner than they thought or desired.

Mike Paten

[Marc]

From: ISO Standards Discussion
Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 09:25:04 -0500
Subject: Re: ISO 9000:2000 Update for NSAI /Paten/Humphries

From: "Edwin Humphries"

Mike

In Australia, I know of three certifiers who are currently auditing to the published DIS, and offering certification to the 1994 version immediately upgradeable to the 2000 version on publication. I also know that our national standards organisation, Standards Australia, has published the DIS and is offering it for sale as it would the final standard - such a commercialisation of the review process would lead one to support those who feel the International Standard should be free and in the public domain!

Although I support the "ambidextrous" approach for new certifications, at least one of the certifiers is now auditing existing clients to the DIS, and issuing "negative observations" (nonconformances by another name), regardless of whether the client has agreed to the action. This certifier is, interestingly enough, tied in with the aforementioned standards body, which at least confirms a common attitude towards their clients! This all smacks of an attitude of milking as much money out of the review process as it can take (and then milking it a little more), which does not auger well for the future of QA.

In any event, I would suggest that any company receiving a nonconformance against the DIS or the final version in the next three years should treat its resolution as something to be completed within the three year period, unless the resolution will address more urgent business goals of the company. As with most other things with certifiers, companies must remember that the system must be relevant to their customers' needs and their own business objectives: if a request from a certifier does not meet one of these objectives, then argue, and you should win.

Best Regards
Edwin Humphries

[eee]

IQNet, which unites leading registrars,
published "Guidelines" for transition period,
based on Communice of ISO/CASCO/IAF.
These guidelines ara available on IQNet site: ***DEAD LINK REMOVED***
To my mind they propose very smooth procedure of how to act during the transition period.

I'm not noted for defending Registrars but I think it would be as well to avoid jumping the gun here. The implication is that some or all registrars are going to use the new release to rip off their customers. But there's nothing in what I've read above that indicates that.

Naturally, those who normally sell us standards will be willing to sell unreleased versions so we can prepare. If we had no access to DIS copies then how would we have a discussion about ISO 9000:2000? That's a non issue.

As regards NSAI's reported statement; Maybe the conclusions drawn are correct, but we should be sure first. Personally, knowing NSAI very well, I would be very surprised if they refused to grant a '94 registration to any customer who requires one, up to the actual closing date. Remember, '94 hasn't gone away yet and noone knows when '00 will be released. So what does "offering 9001:2000 audits effective immediately" mean? It can only mean that they'll audit to 2000 and issue a '94 cert, plus - for no extra cost? - useful details of how you might have failed against 2000. That's not commercialisation. That's NSAI practising what they preach and putting the customer first!
Apart from anything else, I don't see how NSAI could gain. They are very busy anyway, with business in two other continents outside Europe and booming Ireland. What do they care if they issue a '94 cert or a '00?

I expect I'm right but I suppose I could be wrong and, if not NSAI there may be some registrars who think it's an opportunity to get more work. I suggest that anyone concerned about being pushed into '00 against their will, should ask first and if they don't like the answer, take their business elsewhere and tell the registrar why.

There are many things wrong with the administration of ISO 9000, and companies/business should be on guard and figuring how to deal with them. I don't believe this is one of them.
rgds, John C

[barb butrym]

John i agree with you. Know NSAI well also. have not had the conversation with them, but my gut tells me...they are auditing to the new standard to get the client used to it before it is dumped on them, issuing "opportunities/observations" to help you prepare, not nonconformances. this helps the client get used to the new requirements, etc. they did that in 1994.....

[barb butrym]

also gets the auditor used to it !!!!!!

I have personally confirmed the DNV and UL registrars will honor the three year transition, both for registered companies and new registrants.
It doesn't make sense for a company new to registration to use the 1994 revision, but they may.

There is no rush (darn!) It would be better for us consultants if there was.

Dave

[Marc]

From: "Nina Khatib" nkhatib
To: Forum_Mail
Subject: ISO9001-2000
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2000 13:50:31 -0400

I believe that the courtesy transition period given to companies is more than enough. At our company, we want to start early. In order to do that, we are studying the best approach to deal with the changes. This might seem like a silly question, but is there a formula to do it? I suggested we do it in the following manner:

_ Rewrite the revised clauses
_ Get them approved
_ Target them to where they belong in the manual
_ Develop work instructions/Forms to help in the implementation and to prove that we are complying.

If you have better or different approach, I would be more than grateful if you share it with me and my colleagues.

Thanks,
Nina Khatib