A- Well, in our experience, it should not cost more a 1% of sales. Usually a good portion of that cost is returned through reduced customer returns, and audits. Unfortunately, most accounting systems do not capture the savings. EG: the time the top management spends servicing customers and handling complaints is typically captured. A lot of companies substitute a copy of ISO certification for site surveys. Customer surveys take usually a day or two. Again, most accounting systems do not capture time spent on customer surveys.
A- Well, if your company is in manufacturing, then you purchase raw material, process them, inspect the outcomes, and ship the final product with proper documentation. ISO will require you to review your quotations before accepting a job, order material from good & reliable suppliers, define, audit, inspect your process, and ship your product with proper documentation. What part of that does not apply to your company? Chances are you do far more than the minimum that was discussed. ISO-9000 is the minimum standard. A lot of companies need to comply to a higher standard, such as: ISO 13485 (Medical), TL-9000 (Telecommunications), ISO/TS 16949 (Automotive) and AS-9100 (Aerospace) which are ISO based.
