Passing the quality test

The Swiss-based International Organization for Standardization has provided a series of generic standards, known as ISO 9000 series, to assist companies in achieving quality management and production. In today's competitive global market, attaining ISO designation is becoming increasingly important for successful performance, and is considered to be almost a prerequisite to selling. . With this as the incentive, Petro-Canada decided to apply for ISO designation for its lubrication manufacturing operation. This contribution described the various steps involved in the company's effort to obtain certification.Briefly, the process begun in February 1993, with assembling an implementation team, consisting of representatives from every department of the lubricants division. Detailed manuals for all phases of operation were put together and sent to the licensing agency. Petro-Canada also committed itself to designing the products for what its customer's need, and not just products that are the most technologically advanced. After implementing these and other suggestions made by the certifying agency, Petro-Canada received its ISO 9001 in November 1993. The certification applies only to the lubrication plant and laboratory, but plans were said to be underway to implement ISO 9000 standards on a company-wide basis