ISO9001

[Kudos]

I've started to chase more government work lately for one of my businesses (distribution) and am seeing pretty much continuous demands for ISO 9001 or equivalent as part of any tender responses.

Anyone got any experience in achieving this? Much effort involved? Costs?

We take our quality control etc serious and other than government work don't "need" this certificate.

[Kudos]

thanks - just so some bloody civil servant can tick a box!

[Kudos]

thanks chaps, much appreciated.

Will bite the bullet and get reading!

[Kudos]

SplatSpeed said:

easy to get

harder to keep

absolutly useless!

christ, don't confuse me.

Any alternatives that are up to scratch?

[Kudos]

mikey k said:

Just to throw a curved ball.
W are not ISO9001 certified and have secured long term contracts via tender & reverse auctions with Kellogs, Land Rover, Budweiser, Mr Kipling, Hovis & Kingsmill to name a few.
We have not lost business because of it!
When evaluating a tender the ISO9001 question is just part of the "scoring" We have found that if you are good enough in the other areas it is not a must have.
Talk to the tender issuer!

I note these are all private companies whereas my tenders are all public sector. Private companies can be "talked to" and explain situation on certification, however I believe public sector are purely box tickers.

To be fair to them, any time I see a tender and it asks if we have 9001, it also states what alternative is in place.

For a £30k tender, is giving it to someone with certification worth it?