ISO 9000 certification benefits reality or myth?

Given the rapid recent growth in ISO 9000 applications and

the business performance benefits being claimed for it by

National Accreditation Registrars, it is timely to review the research in this area to see if any substantial proof exists for these claims. The paper explores the literature and finds that there is no proven link between quality certification (ISO 9000) and improved business performance. However, it is clear from the research reviewed on business

performance factors, that better quality does have a

consistent, positive relationship with business performance.

Combining these findings leads to the inference that quality

certification to ISO 9000 standards is not consistently

associated with having a quality assurance system that

delivers improved process control, or better quality. We

conclude that the National Accreditation Registrars need to

reflect on the standards of proof that they currently use to

support claims for business performance improvement from

the application of the ISO 9000 standards.