The Use of International Standards Organization ISO 9000 Quality Assurance Standards in Place of Military Standards

Abstract : The implementation of quality standards within the European Community by the creation of International Quality Standards 9000 is another step toward development of a global marketplace. It is in the interests of DoD to support this trend in order to help maintain the defense industrial base. The first part of this study performs a comparison of DoD quality standards to the ISO 9000 Standards. The second part of the study consists of a survey of U.S. firms that have become ISO 9000 registered. This survey is intended to provide an assessment of the current movement within the defense industrial base toward adoption of ISO 9000 Standards. The survey also attempts to identify potential implementation issues relating to adoption of ISO 9000 Standards in place of military standards. It is concluded that DoD should implement ISO 9000 and that the impact of this implementation will be favorable.