An analysis of the impact of the revised: Bs en ISO 9001:2000 upon the ready mixed concrete industry of the United Kingdom

The issue in 2000 of a completely revised international standard for Quality Management Systems imposed the requirement for a major change of mindset amongst all organizations currently certified to the former versions of ISO 9000:1994 Series. In particular, the philosophy of the new standard has introduced novel concepts such as customer-focus, dynamic leadership, increased personal involvement, more systematic management, continual improvement and mutually beneficial supplier relationships. The revised standard puts increased emphasis on management responsibility, resource management and monitoring of systems effectiveness. This paper reviews the changes which ready mixed concrete suppliers who are already certified by an accredited certification body have made to their quality systems in order to comply with the revised standard - which had to be done by the end of 2003. The author uses his extensive involvement with a range of UK concrete suppliers to illustrate the changing emphasis of quality assurance. In a type of Action Research, he draws on his experience in auditing 15 concrete companies over the period leading up to their transfer of certification to BS EN ISO 9001:2000 in December 2003 and beyond. He recommends how all certified organizations must adapt to the amended standard, regardless of their product, based on his knowledge of the actions taken recently within the ready mixed concrete industry. These may be used as a model for the entire construction industry in complying with the process-approach of the revised ISO 9001.