Your Opinion of ISO 9001:2000 Certification?

Jim Wade a vociferous proponent of ISO9001:2000 Certification recently stated in another discussion:

"The problem is the frenetic emphasis on clauses 4 - 8 of ISO 9001 - about 12% of the overall ISO 9000 concept. This emphasis is counter to the intent of the 'standards'."

"I shall continue to advocate avoidance of certification (or at least to promote the fact that the certification process does no more than give you a certificate) in favour of applying the principles and the guidance in ISO 9000 overall"

Do you agree with Jim?

I agree with Jim.
When I have to describe my job, I usually tell people that I'm involved in "quality", not in "certification". I strongly remark the difference between the two words.

I agree with both of you. Most savvy companies already do ISO 9000 as part of a common-sense business strategy. And have done for years.

The Certification industry has created a critical mass over the years and unfortunately people who know virtually nothing about "quality" i.e. purchasing managers have been programmed to ask "Are you certified to ISO?"

If you said "no we are not but we won the European Excellence Award this year", you probably wouldn't get the contract.

If it was my choice I would let our certification lapse - but it's not!

Regards,
Simon