Quality management systems - Fundamentals and vocabulary

This International Standard describes the fundamental concepts and principles of quality management which are universally applicable to the following:

— organizations seeking sustained success through the implementation of a quality management system;

— customers seeking confidence in an organization’s ability to consistently provide products and services conforming to their requirements;

— organizations seeking confidence in their supply chain that product and service requirements will be met;

— organizations and interested parties seeking to improve communication through a common understanding of the vocabulary used in quality management;

— organizations performing conformity assessments against the requirements of ISO 9001;

— providers of training, assessment or advice in quality management;

— developers of related standards.

This International Standard specifies the terms and definitions that apply to all quality management and quality management system standards developed by ISO/TC 176.