ISO 9000 definition

A family of standards of excellence, created by the International Organization for Standardization, related to quality management systems. ISO 9000 standards can be applied across any industry and company size, making them a well-known symbol across the globe. The standards were first published in 1987.

Frequently cited advantages of ISO 9000 often include: reducing audits, strengthening marketing efforts, increasing potential for international trade and improving employee awareness. A common criticism is the time and effort required to achieve certification.

Compare with ISO 9001.