Are issues with registrars causing a credibility problem with ISO 9000? I received
many e-mails from ISO 9000 advocates suggesting this.
What generated these often heated e-mails was my October column, "ISO
9000: More Hindrance than Help," pg. 64. I discussed several problems that
I saw with the standard, but I did not discuss registrars. Many of the e-mails
that strongly supported ISO 9000 also acknowledged that there are problems with
it. The most common problem ISO supporters suggested was ineffective registrars
that pass companies not meeting the standard¿s requirements. One reader¿s
e-mail said he was astounded and embarrassed to see his company pass its initial
ISO audit as he watched the auditor congratulate them on the great processes
in place. Prior to the audit, the reader thought that there was absolutely no
way the company could pass.