BC4 is a manufacturer of bedroom furniture with four factories in the south of the country. As a result of declining company financial performance, the Managing Director (MD) engaged a management consultant to conduct an overall review of BC4's activities and highlight the issues of greatest concern. 

Describe the benefits of quality standard ISO 9000 certification to BC4.

The Managing Director feels that significant benefits to BC4 might arise through gaining the quality standard ISO 9000 certification. The International Standards Organisation (ISO) issues standards that are globally recognised, and that include the ISO 9000 series. ISO 9000 provides a systematic approach to managing business processes to produce products that conform to customer expectations.

Improved efficiency through standardised practices

The management consultant has identified differing operating efficiencies both within and among BC4's factories. By gaining ISO 9000 certification, BC4 will develop a system that should lead to standardised practices, greater productivity and the maintenance of consistently dependable processes. A consistent approach to policy documentation is a requirement containing systems for control of products that do not conform to the agreed standard. The standardisation that BC4 will gain through certification will better the efficiency of business processes and should reduce expenditure.