Please tell me where to start - ISO 9001:2000 Quality Manual 'Upgrade'

I have just been handed a quality manual that was designed in 1995- AS/NZS ISO 9002:1994 by a consultant. I work for a tree lopping buisness with about 14 employees. I have been asked to update the manual and get the ball rolling so we can put a tender in for a large client who needs us to be certified. I have done a little with qa but only on work instructions in another job. Who do I contact and where do I start! And by the way, this manual has not been opened since 1995 so no records, changes, or maintance forms completed. It appears the manual is written for what should be happening not what is happening. I hear there is a new standard ISO9000:2000 should I be using this one? Can I adapt the current manual or is it best to start from scratch?
Hoping your valuable experience can guide me in the right direction. Regards Amanda

[This message has been edited by Amanda H (edited 28 January 2001).]

Amanda,

First I would purchase a copy of ISO 9004:2000. This is a guide. Within the guide, boxeed in, are the requirements of ISO 9001:2000. An electronic copy can be purchase at www.asq.org. Depending on your geographical location you may want to purchase from a company closer in proximity.

I am currently working with 7 companies to ISO 9001:2000, 4 of which are non manufacturing.

If you like contact me at ali@awkiso.com
I will be glad to give you some free assistance to get you started.

awk

AWK
Thanks for your advice. I am in Australia and will endeavour to find where I can purchase a copy of the abovementioned guide.
This is starting to seem that I am unable to do this alone so I will keep you in mind should I need some further assistance. There are quite a few ISO versions, how can we be sure which on is appropriate for us?
Regards Amanda H

[Rick Goodson]

Amanada,

One of the great values of Marc's forums is the ability to tap the resources of members. As you need help, come to the forum and ask.

With the new revision (year 2000) to the standard there are only three standards ISO 9000, ISO 9001 and ISO 9004. Breifly, ISO 9000 is the vocabulary and some "fundamentals". The fundamentals are useful in understanding how your registrar will interpret the standard. Pay attention to the 8 Quality Management Principles, I believe they will help you understand the intent in the ISO 9001 standard. The ISO 9001 is the standard you will register to. You need to meet the requirements described in it. ISO 9004 is basically a document for those who want to go beyond ISO 9001.

Your best bet for getting the standard rapidly is to download it off the web. Try http://store.iso9.com/index.html. The ISO 9000 standard is $62 US and the ISO 9001 is $54 US.

There is some good information on a website http://praxiom.com/. It may be of value in helping you put together an implementation plan.

A concern that you should be aware of is the need for management buy in. I have never seen an effective implementation when the motivation has been a customer requirement and there is not management support and involvement. In fact, the 2000 revision places much more emphasis on management involvement than the 1994 revision.

The existing document probably will not be of much help. My guess is it simply mimics the standard and does not tell you anything about how you run the business.


A final note. There are a lot of members in this forum located throughout Australia. I am positive they will add their comments. They can be a lot of help in selecting a registrar as they will have experience with the locals.

Good luck!

Originally posted by Amanda H:
AWK
Thanks for your advice. I am in Australia and will endeavour to find where I can purchase a copy of the abovementioned guide.
This is starting to seem that I am unable to do this alone so I will keep you in mind should I need some further assistance. There are quite a few ISO versions, how can we be sure which on is appropriate for us?
Regards Amanda H

Try Standards Australia, they have a web site. Ask for ISO 9001:2000 and IS0 9004:2000
Doug (USA E-mail vceash.dougs@memo.volvo.se)

[David Mullins]

The tree lopping business is very appropriate for the quality line (some might suggest).

I'm in Oz and can send you a range of stuff to get you going.

Avoid engaging a consultant until you have a clearer expectation. (You've clearly been robbed once already)

The time required for certification depends on how bad the management team want it. Plus you need to engage a worthwhile auditor (I can tell you what to look for, depending on the needs of the company, but the most important thing is are they accredited for you area, and when are they available to audit?)

Yes, you're better off starting from scratch, as the 1995 manual doesn't reflect reality then or now.

There is also plenty of information available from the FTP area of this site. (A great asset of this site)

Let me know how I can help.

------------------

[James Gutherson]

Oh and Amanda, the standards Australia website is www.standards.com.au
You will get a much better price there than from a US site thanks to the strength of the Ozzie peso, oops I mean dollar.

Again, this board is a great resource and the people very knowledgable. Based on his submissions I doubt you could get better help than from David, but let me know if I can also help.

james@waterways.nsw.gov.au

[Marc]

A quick comment....

I purchased the FDIS from Standards Australia (I think it was the FDIS - it may have been the DIS). It was a pdf file which required a 'plugin' which allowed it to print ONCE!! One copy!!! My printer jammed and my one copy was thus 'used' so I couldn't print a copy.

I bought the released standards in December from ISO9K.com (as I remember) and they did not have the limitation that Standards Australia placed upon their files.

I recommend you check whether Standards Australia is still requiring the plugin to open the file and still has the 1 copy ONLY print restriction before you buy from Standards Austraila -- or any other source for that matter.