July 21, 2003—According to research sponsored by the BSI, a global business trade association, 70% of architects believe that quality certification has won them business.
Certification to ISO 9001:2000 also gives architects a distinct advantage over their non-certified competitors, most designers say.
Despite these benefits, however, only one in five of those without this quality certification intend to achieve it.
The BSI has embarked on a campaign to warn all elements of the UK construction industry that they may lose contracts if they fail to update to the new international quality management standard.
The organization estimates that only 30% of the 7,418 businesses that hold the old ISO 9001 certificates have transferred to the current ISO 9001:2000. Companies that fail to transfer before the December 2003 deadline may miss out on the benefits of ISO 9001:2000, the BSI says, which include potential cost savings and reduction in red tape. They could also face problems meeting the quality requirements of customers, many of which specify that suppliers must meet the updated ISO 9001:2000 standard.
—Elliottt Chase
Reprinted with permission; copyright 2003 i-FM
