ISO 9000 vs ISO 9001: What’s the Difference?

People use “ISO 9000” and “ISO 9001” as if they’re the same thing, but they’re not. One is the certifiable standard your business works towards; the other is the background that explains the language and principles behind it. Here’s the difference in plain English.

What is ISO 9000?

“ISO 9000” has two meanings. It’s the name of the whole family of quality management standards, and it’s also a specific standard (ISO 9000:2015) that sets out the fundamentals and vocabulary of quality management. It defines the terms everyone uses and the seven quality management principles the family is built on. It’s guidance: there’s nothing in it to be audited against.

What is ISO 9001?

ISO 9001:2015 is the requirements standard, the actual set of “shall” requirements for a quality management system. It’s the only standard in the family you can be certified to. When a business says it’s “ISO 9000 certified,” what it really means is certified to ISO 9001.

ISO 9000 vs ISO 9001 at a glance

The ISO 9000 family

• ISO 9000: fundamentals and vocabulary (guidance).
• ISO 9001: requirements (the certifiable standard).
• ISO 9004: guidance for sustained success beyond ISO 9001.
• ISO 19011: guidance for auditing management systems.

The seven quality management principles

ISO 9000 sets out the seven principles that underpin ISO 9001:

• Customer focus
• Leadership
• Engagement of people
• Process approach
• Improvement
• Evidence-based decision making
• Relationship management

Which one do you need?

If your goal is certification, you work towards ISO 9001. That’s the standard you implement and get audited against. ISO 9000 is worth a read to understand the terminology and principles, but you don’t “implement” or certify to it.

How Streamline can help

We help Australian businesses design and certify practical ISO 9001 quality management systems, built on the principles in ISO 9000 but focused on the requirements that actually get you certified.

ISO 9000 vs ISO 9001: FAQs

Can you get certified to ISO 9000?

No. ISO 9000 is vocabulary and principles guidance. ISO 9001 is the certifiable standard, and “ISO 9000 certified” almost always means certified to ISO 9001.

Is ISO 9000 still current?

Yes. ISO 9000:2015 is the current version and defines the terms and principles used across the family.

Do you need to read ISO 9000 to get ISO 9001?

Not strictly, but it’s helpful: it explains the language and the seven quality management principles that ISO 9001 is built on.

Speak with an experienced ISO auditor

Email hello@streamline.business or call us. You’ll deal directly with an experienced ISO auditor who’ll tailor a practical approach to your business. You’re also welcome to get in touch via our contact page.