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Product and system Standards

Since the concept of quality system is relatively new, most people are

confused about Product quality standards and Quality systemstandards.

The product quality standard specifies various characteristics andparameters, which the product must meet, if it is to conform to the productstandard. The basic principle in product certification authorizes amanufacturer, through a license , to use the prescribed certification stampon a product. Conformity of a product to its specification is ascertained bythe certification body, through periodic testing of product samples.

The quality system standard defines the method of managing quality in a

company to ensure that products conform to the quality levels that it hasset for itself. A company is free to set any quality level for its products onthe basis of marketing considerations and customer requirements. Aquality system standard helps the company to plan and consistentlyachieve the requisite product quality standard. In a contractual situationimplementation of ISO 9000 system will help the company to clearlyunderstand the customer requirements ; the operation of variousfunctional departments will be so managed to ensure that the final productor service fully meets the contracted requirements.

The need for standards in quality system :

The following are some of the reasons :-

a. Difference between sample and bulk supplies and betweensupplies, over a period

b. Hence, the pre-assessment of suppliers quality control systems /methods and the costs involved, especially if they are fromoverseas

c. It costs the suppliers because of multiple assessments by buyersand the suppliers because of extra effort required for preparing foreach assessment by customers.

d. Subjective nature of assessments by different organizations whichmay differ, for the same product and production system.

Hence, a need for a universally accepted standard quality assurancesystem amenable for third party assessment. This will effectively replacemultiple assessments and the associated burden on manufacturers andcustomers.

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However, it should be clearly understood that quality does not happen bychance. It has to be managed at every stage of the life of the product. Aquality system is a mechanism by which a company can organize andmanage its resources to achieve, sustain and improve qualityeconomically. Quality systems are analogous to financial control

systems, Information technology systems and personnel managementsystems. They organize resources so as to achieve certain objectives bylaying down rules and an infrastructure which , if followed and maintained,will yield the desired results.

A quality system harmonizes the efforts of all groups in the organization tofocus on quality of what it produces and what factors might prevent it fromsatisfying the customers.

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