Document control has been and continues to be a key element in ISO quality management system (QMS) standards. Without reliable control of procedures and records, a company's QMS integrity will fail as a practical business matter and as an easily audited computer system that enables compliance.
Two new ISO quality system standards have recently been released. One is the ISO 9000: 2000 Quality Management Systems, an update of the ISO 9000 series, which was last revised in 1994 and takes affect in December 2003. The other, ISO/TS 16949, is an international standard for automotive production and suppliers that incorporates the ISO 9001: 2000 requirements with existing QS-9000 requirements. This international standard was recently recognized by the Big Three automakers as the de facto standard for use beginning in 2004 for DaimlerChrylser and 2006 for General Motors and Ford.