Application of ISO 9000 quality management standards in Sri Lanka

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.