3 replies to this topic

[subhashtop]

May I request any of you to clarify a doubt?

I work for a company which is in the business of interior fit out design, development and installation of luxury motor yachts, villas, hotels and commercial buildings:

Our main scope of works include
-design,
-development,
-procurement (we supply some of decorative materials to sub-contractors)
-Sub-contracting (we sub-contract most of the manufacturing (about 99%))
-Installation (most of it we sub-contract (about 80%))

And it's a government organization. We have recently completed a mega yacht and there are some projects in pipeline but nothing has started in terms of procurement and installation except design and drawing work which has just started. But the projects in pipeline are expected to complete not before end of 2007. Recently we have established QMS in line with the requirements of the ISO 9001:2000 but there is very little in terms of implementation because there is no work in other departments.

By considering all the above points can you please advise if we can proceed for ISO 9001:2000 preliminary and certification audit?

[barraboy]

I know you can document exclusions in your QMS and apply for them to be accepted by your auditor, don't know about excluding most of the standard though. If it is allowed it would be a bit rich to say the product you supply is produced in accordance with ISO 9001 when 90% of it isn't. One way or another I don't know categorically. I would speak to a cert body if nobody can tell you here......BB

[allanj]

You can proceed with a certification audit at any time you wish. Whether or not you would actually achieve certification is another matter: that depends on the integrity of the registrar you choose. But, as hard nosed realists about the certification industry and its track record know - there is an excess of registrars around. they are all competing for new clients and market share and will be mosts accomodating to your needs. In other words, since ISO 9000 registration is a commodity that is sold, you will find a willing seller. They won't exactly tell you that except behind closed doors. So do your searching, do your negotiating and you will get your certificate - even if you still have any number of open items (corrective actions) still to do, the certificate you can wave in front of your clients will claim you meet the requirements of the standard - regardless of the underlying truth.

However, since you are in the mega yacht business, ask yourself truthfully does a Donald Trump or Tiger Woods who might lay out $20- $30 million for a mega yacht REALLY care if you do or do not have ISO 9000 registration? For such people their best guarantee that you will do a quality job comes in two parts: their world is small and their word of mouth remarks about any lack of quality given at expensive cocktail parties will carry a lot of wait and your management knows well the cost of upsetting such folk; and if you deliver a "lemon" such people have expensive lawyers that will ensure you regret any lack of quality.

[Charles Chew]

there is an excess of registrars around. they are all competing for new clients and market share and will be mosts accomodating to your needs

In other words, since ISO 9000 registration is a commodity that is sold, you will find a willing seller.

Hello Allan,

Thank you for highlighting the "rotting" aspect of this business. Sadly, there is much truth in this comment and much as you wish to deny this fact, the larger registrars appear to be the more active culprits in the business.....where I come from ISO 9K certification does not have the respect it should and why should it be when "deals" can be made to get one.

Thank God ISO 22000 and I4000 remain respected.

I must emphasize again that it is extremely important to ensure that your appointed Auditor has the right qualifications and experience to do the job professionally. It does not matter whether the CB is from USA, UK or Denmark.......as Wayne had often talked about his engineering friend who is always eager and ready to perform a food safety audit when he may not be exactly be suited for it.

IMO, the past is no longer a representation of the present. ISO 9000 has lost it lustre from a quality benchmark from of view. It disinterests me whether an organization is certified to it or not as Allan has rightly pointed out to Barraboy!