Comparison of quality systems standards

Over the years, a variety of Quality Systems Standards have been prepared internationally, specifying customer requirements for quality assurance and quality control systems and procedures which must be in force as a prerequisite to contract placing. These systems standards reflect national requirements and national legislation, and the standards writer's own interpretation of legislation. The result is that even experienced quality assurance personnel sometimes have difficulty in comparing the various national requirements. The problems developing countries experience in comparing one standard with another must, therefore, be almost insurmountable. This paper discusses and compares the various international legislative requirements, standards and guides and attempts to isolate detailed differences. The documents are compared on a matrix basis. The case is argued for the preparation of international legislation, quality assurance systems standards and guide documents as the only sensible means of ensuring satisfactory quality for nuclear power plant throughout the world. (author)