ISO 9001
Definition
ISO 9001 — Quality management systems — Requirements is an internationally used quality management system (QMS) standard. It specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving a quality management system to help organizations consistently meet customer requirements and improve quality management performance.[1]
ISO 9001 is a generic management system standard applicable to organizations of different sizes and industries, rather than being designed for a particular product or sector.[1]
Why does it matter?
ISO 9001 helps buyers assess whether a manufacturer has established a systematic quality management framework, including process control, performance monitoring, quality objectives, corrective actions and continual improvement, rather than relying solely on finished-product inspection.
For OEM/ODM manufacturers, it is also one of the most common foundational quality management systems considered in international supplier audits.
References
- [1]International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 9001 — Quality management systems — Requirements.


