BSI Joins SMMT In Drive To Boost Industry Standards

BSI has become an affiliate of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) in its efforts to work closely with the automotive industry and help improve members' understanding and appreciation of quality management systems such as ISO 9001:2000 and ISO/TS 16949:2000.

BSI Management Systems currently lead the automotive industry in terms of certifying companies against these quality management standards and is currently urging those companies who have not yet updated from the old standard, ISO 9000:1994 to do so before the December 15th deadline.

Companies that fail to transfer before the December 2003 deadline may miss out on the clear benefits of ISO 9001:2000 including the potential cost savings and reduction in red tape that the standard brings. They could also face problems meeting the quality requirements of customers in the automotive sector, many of which will specify that suppliers must meet - as a minimum - the updated ISO 9001:2000 standard. This provides the base for progression to the automotive specific quality standard, ISO/TS16949:2002, which is increasingly being mandated by vehicle manufacturers and tier one component makers.

The International Organisation for Standards (ISO) regularly updates all standards. ISO 9001:2000 was created after feedback from UK business illustrated the shortcomings of the old standard, introduced in 1994. ISO 9001:2000 has three distinct new benefits:

less red tape - companies will find it easier to show that they meet the requirements of the updated standard

focus on customer satisfaction - the updated standard helps companies ensure that customer satisfaction is central to their operation, making them more competitive

more flexible - the updated standard is more flexible, enabling companies to run quality management systems the way that is most relevant to them

Companies requiring further information should contact BSI Management Systems Helpdesk on 020 8996 7720 or visit

http://emea.bsi-global.com/Quality 
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For more information please contact:

CONTACT BSI PRESS OFFICE: 
Wilma Tulloch on +44 (0)20 8996 6330 OR
Marc Edney on +44 (0)20 8996 6330