ISO 9001

quality management system standard

ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems. It sets requirements for the system (context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement), not for the products.

Organisations are certified by independent certification bodies. ISO 9001:2015 is being replaced by ISO 9001:2026, with a transition period of about three years according to certification bodies.

Example

A supplier of brake parts holds ISO 9001 and IATF 16949. The certificate proves that the management system is audited, not that every single part is good.

Common mistake

Believing that ISO certifies a company. ISO writes the standard; accredited certification bodies audit and issue the certificate.

Calculate it

ISO 9001 Internal Audit: Clause 4 to 10 checklist with minor / major findings, actions and PDF.

Related terms

• QMS: quality management system
• IATF 16949: automotive quality management system standard
• Internal audit: own audit of the management system (9.2)