Page 782 - Carrahers_Polymer_Chemistry,_Eighth_Edition

Appendix H

ISO 9000 and 14000

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international organization with
members in about 100 countries working to develop common global standards.
The ISO 9000 series encompasses the product development sequence from strategic planning to

customer service. Currently, it is a series of five quality system standards with two of the standards
focusing on guidance and three contractual standards.

ISO 9000 certification is often obtained to promote a company’s perceived quality level, for
supplier control, and to promote certain management practices, often total quality management
(TQM) practices. It is acting as a global standardizing “tool” with respect to business and industry
in its broadest sense, including banking, volunteer organizations, and most aspects of the chemical
(including the polymer) industry.
ISO 9000 requires what is called a “third party” assessment but involves developing “fi rst” and
“second” party strategies. “First party” refers to the supplier company that requests ISO 9000 cer-
tifi cation. “Second party” refers to the customer whose “needs” have been met by the “fi rst party”
through the use of quality management procedures achieved through ISO 9000 compliance. “Third

party” refers to an outside reviewer that “certifies” that the “first party” has satisfied ISO 9000

procedures.
While ISO 9000 is a management tool, it affects the way “industry does business” and deals with
quality control issues such as how machinery and parts manufactured by a company are monitored
for quality. It focuses on satisfying the “customer,” the “purchaser” of the raw materials, manufac-
tured parts or assembled items, and includes the eventual “end-customer”—the general public. It is
an attempt to assure quality goods.
ISO 14000 is a series of standards intended to assist in managing the impact of manufactured

materials, including finished products and original “feedstocks.” It addresses the need to have one
internationally accepted environmental management system that involves “cradle to grave” respon-
sibility for manufactured materials emphasizing the impact of products, operations, and services on
the environment.

745

9/14/2010 3:44:48 PM
K10478.indb 745
K10478.indb 745 9/14/2010 3:44:48 PM