ISO 9001: 2008 is an international standard related to quality management systems, applicable to any organization from all types of business sectors and activities. This certification is based on eight quality management principles, all of which are fundamental to good business practice. When fully adopted, these principles can help improve all-round organizational performance:
• Customer focus: The success of organizations depends on their customers, and therefore businesses need to shape all their activities around the fulfillment of market needs.
• Leadership: is needed to provide unity of purpose and direction.
• Involvement of people: A work environment must be created where employees are motivated and engaged, each member of the team becoming fully involved in achieving the organization’s objectives.
• Process approach: In order to achieve organizational objectives, resources and activities need to be managed as smoothly flowing processes, with a proper understanding of how the outputs of one process affect the inputs of another.
• Systemized approach to management: The effectiveness and efficiency of the organization depends on a systemized approach to fundamental work activities
• Continual improvement: Adopting a philosophy of continual improvement as a part of everyday culture is a key factor in the progress and growth of any organization.
• Fact based decision-making: Effective decisions are based on the logical and intuitive analysis of data and factual information.
• Mutually beneficial supplier relationships: Such relationships will enhance the ability to create sustainable value.
