Implementing quality systems

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS LESSON Understand the benefits to customers when businesses operate and produce to defined standards. Explain the gains to producers and suppliers from being known to operate to defined standards. Appreciate BSI’s role in creating standards for products, (including materials, hardware, software and services), processes and systems.

INTRODUCTION Quality has nothing to do with costs. A quality material, product or process is one that meets the needs of customers. This also applies to a service or a system. The British Standards Institution (BSI) provides a range of products and services that assist in assuring high quality. It was the world's first national standards body and is the best known worldwide (as indicated by its official 'Superbrand' status).

ACTIVITIES Consumers want standards as it guarantees something is safe to use and can be relied on. Standards ensure items fit their purpose - Its silly if some CDs were bigger then others. The BSI Kitemark shows a product meets standards after testing. It can be found on lots of products.

QUALITY SYSTEMS BSI helps firms to develop management systems to meet ISO 9001. This is the standard for quality management. It shows that the firm is customer focussed. It also requires the firm to keep on improving.

CONCLUSION BSI was the world's first national standards making body. Today it is the most prestigious international standards institution. It works with the British government, manufacturers and other stakeholders to create quality standards.

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES How well do you understand the benefits to customers when businesses operate and produce to defined standards? How well can you explain the gains to producers and suppliers from being known to operate to defined standards? How well do you appreciate BSI’s role in creating standards for products, (including materials, hardware, software and services), processes and systems?