Standards for quality systems: BS 5750, EN 29000, ISO 9000

This chapter provides an overview of BS 5750, EN 29000, and ISO 9000 standards. BS 5750:1987 is identical to ISO 9000-1987 and EN 29000-1987, except that BS 5750 has three additional guidance sections. Consequently, BS 5750 is not only the British Standard for quality systems but also the European and international standard. The BS 5750 series identifies the basic disciplines associated with a quality system that can be used by manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. The series specifies the national, regional and international procedures and criteria that are required to ensure that products and services meet customers' requirements. These disciplines, procedures, and criteria can be applied to any firm, whether it employs a few people or many thousands. The BS 5750 series can be used by suppliers to set up their own quality systems. It can also be used by customers as a basis for assessing a supplier's quality management system and to see that a supplier has the ability to produce satisfactory goods or services.