Written question asked by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour) on Monday, 16 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 June 2003. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Thursday, 26 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what percentage of ISO 9000 certified companies have (a) transferred and (b) are in the process of transferring to ISO 9001:2000; and what plans there are to encourage UK companies and their suppliers to do so before the deadline.

Answer: Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of ISO 9000 certified companies have (a) transferred and (b) are in the process of transferring to ISO 9001:2000; and what plans there are to encourage UK companies and their suppliers to do so before the deadline. [120287] Ms Hewitt: My Department does not collect information on the numbers of UK businesses certified to the ISO 9000 standards but contacts with certification bodies indicate that approximately 50 per cent. of certified UK businesses have transferred to ISO 9001:2000 and a further 25 per cent. are in the process of transferring. The ISO 9000 standards are voluntary and it is a matter for the companies involved to make any changes to their quality management systems to meet the requirements of ISO 9001:2000. My Department has, however, been providing general advice on the new standard and certification bodies have been encouraging UK businesses to transfer to ISO 9001:2000 since it was adopted in December 2000.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 120287; 407 c924-5W;407 c926W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Companies Quality control Standards Standards specifications International Organization for Standardization
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk