Integrated Certification for ISO 9000,ISO 18000,ISO 14000

As far as I can make out, ISO 18000 is about item management using RFID. I don't see how it could cover ISO 9000.

Thank you for the views. Request to note a clarification please. ISO - 18000, referred by me,is related to 'Occupational Health and Safety' management system(and not about item management using RFID).

Please see this link

I don't know anything about your business or customer requirements and certainly organizations do need to address the issues you mentioned (and a host of others) but they don't need ISO registration to do so.

ISO registration is an expensive, time-consuming process with no real benefits. The premise of ISO registration is simply "document what you do, do what you document, and prove it to a third party." It has nothing to do with quality or any other aspect of operating a business. In fact, one problem with ISO registration (like so many "systems") is that the system (including ISO documentation and procedures) can easily become the objective and one loses track of what you are really trying to do.

In my opinion, if any system doesn't enhance a company's ability to design, manufacture, sell and ship their products, then it is counterproductive and they shouldn't be doing it.

Contrary to what ISO proponents would have you believe, customers do not purchase products because the supplier is ISO registered. They purchase products because those products meet or exceed their expectations (my definition of quality).

As an illustration, let's say I own a manufacturing company and decide (for whatever reason) that my objective is to produce 50% scrap. If I can do that, document it, and prove it to the registrar's auditor, my company can obtain ISO registration.

I agree in principle, but unfortunately some companies (several of our clients among them) require ISO9000 - they won't buy from anyone without it.

One basic fundamental concept I have used in 3 ISO & 2 QS certifications (with the enthusiastic support of the registrar) is that if it doesn't make good business sense, don't do it. Whatever "it" may be. Don't create systems, procedures, documents, etc that don't help to improve your organization's fundamental goal of improving itself, reducing cost, improving profitability, etc, and what is provided to the customer. Then use the ISO quality system as a tool to improve the company.

work with your companies to follow the ISO protocols, but do not apply for the registration. This will save buckets of money. Any company worth doing business with will recognize the logic and help you evolve into the supplier they wish to have.

Some of the ISO certs have no direct benefit to the supplier. They just ask for the certification to see if you are a serious corporate citizen. Sometimes you just have to talk to them. If they are inflexible, it tells you something about thier monolitic business practices.

Ask your self, do you want to work WITH this customer or FOR this customer

Agreed. One of the good sides of going for certification like this (if you're approaching it properly) is to make you think about what you really need to do (by way of docs & procedures) to get the magic seal of approval. This is generally what you should be doing anyway.

Once you've done that, slimmed down to the bare minimum, it can actually be very useful.

Also agreed. Use the certification process (and the maintenance of that certification) as a fundamental tool to improve your business - not an end unto itself. Do what makes good sense for your business. A good idea is to first define just exactly what your business is - surprising to many people, once they start trying to define themselves, and their goals, they find new meaning and direction. Use the ISO cert process as just one more tool in the management tool box.