The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), at its 23-24 January 1995 Council Meeting in Geneva, reaffirmed its support for the Quality System Assessment Recognition (QSAR) and approved a plan of action for setting the programme in motion. This effectively laid the foundation for a voluntary system aimed at encouraging worldwide acceptance of ISO 9000 certificates.

A recent survey by Mobil Europe Ltd, indicated that at least 70,517 ISO 9000 certificates have been issued in 76 counties up to the end of June 1994. These ISO 9000 certificates are used by enterprises to create confidence in their ability to deliver goods and services that meet the clients' requirements.

Businesses today have to go through the expense of multiple audits and registration programmes in order to satisfy clients in different countries. The objective of the QSAR is to enable a single ISO 9000 "registration" or "certification", to be recognized and accepted anywhere in the world, regardless of the location of either client or registration body.

The programme is expected to be implemented in to phases. Phase 1 involves the formal acceptance of the new ISO/IEC Guides containing criteria for approving quality system registration bodies, and accreditation bodies.

Phase 2 of the QSAR programme is scheduled to take place in July - September 1995 when it will be open for applications for membership from national accreditation bodies.

Any accreditation bodies wishing to join will undergo assessment by their peers; against criteria from relevant ISO/IEC Guides on conformity assessment activities. When they have demonstrated adherence to the stipulated guidelines, they will be accepted as QSAR members. They will then be open to requests from quality system registration bodies for recognition and accreditation under the QSAR system.

QSAR-accredited registrars, and the client business to whom they issue ISO 9000 certificates will be authorized to use the QSAR logo. This will establish the certificate as having been awarded after a registration process carried out in lire with rigorous, internationally- agreed criteria. The backing by QSAR will bring added value t. the ISO 9000 certificate and encourage its acceptance worldwide.

The QSAR system will be voluntary. It is also expected to be self- financing.