Abstract:
ISO 9000 is a senes of standards. developed by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO). These standards provide the framework for establishing.
documenting. and maintaining a system that ensure the quality of the processes and the
products. The ISO 9000 standards have received a significant acceptance worldwide: over
300.000 companies in more than J 00 countries are reported to have adopted the standards
since their introduction in 1987. ISO 9000 quality management system in still a new
concept [or industries in Sri Lanka: there is. however, a growing demand for ISO
certification among those compete in the international market. Records show that during
the period from 1992 to J 999 over 250 organizations have been certified to ISO 9000 by
about five certifying agencies. Although, many studies have been carried out on issues
related to the implementation of ISO 9000 in other countries, there is very little work done
locally in this respect.
