Differences between ISO 9000 and ISO 9001?

The ISO 9000 Standards series is one the most common Quality Management Certifications within industry, ranging from manufacturing to Federal contracting.

The family of ISO 9000 standards is a series of guidance material specifically that focuses on assisting organizations on the implementation and certification of a general QMS. The ISO 9000 Standards series includes the following guidance:

  • Fundamentals and Vocabulary ISO 9000 QMS: Overview of basic quality terminology and vocabulary, as well as the explanation of strategic principles for the development and implementation of quality management systems
  • Requirements ISO 9001 QMS: Specific requirements for use by an organization in the implementation and operation a quality management system to meet customer and regulatory requirements
  • Guidelines for Performance Improvements ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems: Additional guidance on quality management systems, beyond the ISO 9001 requirements; focus on the continual improvement of performance of an organization.