Small Business Glossary and Definitions

The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) is an international body that develops international standards in the areas of propriety, commercial, and industrial needs. ISO 9000 is the international standard of management practices for quality management and quality assurance. The ISO 9000 is a framework of nine principles that addresses management quality in the areas of customer focus, leadership, people, process, management systems, improvement, data analysis, and beneficial relationships. The standards provide an industry-wide basis for measuring quality and corporate integrity.

Companies can develop their management practices to comply with ISO 9000 and be certified as such by an accredited third-party. Certification can provide a competitive advantage by demonstrating utilization and compliance with internationally recognized quality management standards.