Transition Roadblocks? Environmental Aspects?

[Marc]

Subject: Q: Environmental Impact Of 9000/2000 /Naish
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 12:35:41 -0600
From: ISO Standards Discussion <JENNEJOHNN@UWSTOUT.EDU>

Subject: Q: Environmental Impact Of 9000/2000 /Naish
From: PNaish@aol.com, Manus@aol.com

While I have been gone and missed some of the discussion on the proposed year 2000 changes to the standard, I read a draft copy today and found myself questioning the impact to our environment of the change. I am wondering how many people have thought about the impact just within their company and would like any responses you may have either direct to me or on this list regarding what I feel is a major attack on our world.

If you look at the draft you will find that they are proposing several things all of which require every paper copy of many of a companies quality system to be thrown out and new ones generated. They did indiacte that we would not need to reformat our document because of the numbering system. And it is appears to be true on the face of it.

However, the flaws I see in the logic stem from the following:

1. If your documents refer to the sections of the standard, all those documents would now be obsolete as the references are incorrect. Only some systems have done this.

2. If you are 9002 (and according to Bill Cox - thanks for the help on this one- 2/3 of the companies world wide are 9002) everywhere you reference 9002 will now need to be changed.

3. And if you thought you were safe because you are 9001 and don't reference each section of the standard, if you reference the standard by its full title rather than just 9001, you too have to change all those document references since the title is being changed as well.

So you are asking what this has to do with the environment? While I have seen a number of systems that are predominately electronic I have yet to visit a company that does not have at least a couple of copies of their documents on paper. Therefore all of the documents which need to be changed for one of the above reasons will need to be replaced.

Additionally, if we say that all documents should correctly cross reference the current revisions of these standards, think of all the thousands of standards that have been produced which refer to the ISO standards and which will also now need to be revised and replaced.

How much landfill are we creating? How many trees do we need to cut down to do this? And if we don't correct the references when the standard is released (as with the thousands of other standards out there) I believe we are creating an unbelievable amount of waste for no value added.

I am not opposed to change but we talk about continuous improvement and waste mangement in one breath and then make these type of changes with no regard to the impact and environment on the other.

Would it not be better to leave the titles as they are? Would it not be better to leave the numbering as it is? I am all for adding some of the changes but can we not work smarter instead of harder and improve our system by adding, deleting, and changing the system within the numbering and titling we have so as to minimize impact to the world?

One of the reasons given for the restructuring was to align with ISO14000. With so few companies having implemented that standard would it not improve the process - to change that standard's numbering instead if a change is needed at all?

As far as aligning with the processes and simplifying the standard, I do not understand how having the requirements for items such as the quality policy, quality planning, and quality records split into several different new sections, is a simplification nor alignment with the processes.

I am for many of the changes but let's work towards something with less environmmental impact.

If you have similar concerns or opposing ideas to help show the reasoning, I'd like to hear from you. Additionally, if you would like to make a difference you might contact your registrar, the registration board for your cert, or for input to the ISO committee try writing to Carol Eddleston: 389 Chiswick High Road; London; W4 4AL

To get a copy of the draft call 0181 996 7000 or fax 0181 996 7001 (this is in London and they are open at 8:30AM their time). You can get a password to down load the draft from the net or have one sent. The cost is 14 pounds British.

Phyllis Naish at pnaish@aol.com

[Marc]

Subject: : Q: Environmental Impact Of 9000/2000 /Naish/West
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 1998 10:10:44 -0600
From: ISO Standards Discussion <JENNEJOHNN@UWSTOUT.EDU>

From: JWest92144@aol.com
Subject: Re: Q: Environmental Impact Of 9000/2000 /Naish/West

The earlier posting gives a name, address and phone number for contacting BSI to get copies of the current Committee Drafts. Unless you are in the UK, you should order copies and make comments through your national member body. Comments submitted direct to BSI will not be used. The process in the USA of obtaining copies and commenting has been on this list earlier. The USA the process for obtaining the draft and making comments is repeated below. Note that the comment closing date is November 1. ASQ is very good about quick turnaround on delivering copies but you only have a few days left to get your thoughts in on this draft. Later drafts are also expected to be available for public review and comments.

Note that it is very difficult for international working groups to deal with very general comments and complaints. Comments need to be clear, concise and to have the most impact should offer solutions not just issues.

There is also a pilot project to validate that the new revisions meet users needs. This implementation and transition project is being conducted in parallel with the development of the revisions. You can learn more about that project by calling or e-mialing Dr. Sandford Libesman of Lucent Technologies at Phone: 908 582 4466 or E-mail at liebesman@lucent.com

Your participation in both the draft reviews and the validation effort is needed, wanted, and welcome!!!

Jack West
Chair US Technical Advisory Group for ISO TC 176

--The US public is invited to comment using the following process:

Get a copy of the CD
Call ASQ at 1 800 248 1946
Price $30 for package of all three documents (the CDs of 9000, 9001,
and 9004)

Obtain the review template at:

http://standardsgroup.asq.org/members/docdist/docdist.htm or
http://www.bsi.org.uk/iso-tc176-sc2

Read, review, develop comments Record your comments using the prescribed format--other formats will not be accepted due to expected volume.

Do not send to ISO, BSI or AFNOR
Send to Patricia Kopp of ASQ
E-mail (preferred) to ASQ=92s special address for comments:
cdraft@asq.org
Or fax (last resort!): 414- 272-1734

[Marc]

Subject: FYI: ISO 9000 REVISION/Oliveira
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 1998 10:20:04 -0600
From: ISO Standards Discussion <JENNEJOHNN@UWSTOUT.EDU>

From: Marcos Oliveira <qualitas@provider.com.br>
Subject: ISO 9000 REVISION/Oliveira

I send my suggestion about ISO 9000 revision to the brazilian representative to ISO (ABNT). I recommend everybody to send comments to the representative to ISO 9000 of your country. You can find the specific form on the following address:

http://www.bsi.org.uk/iso-tc176-sc2/comment4.doc

Marcos Oliveira