AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016, Quality management systems — Requirements, sets out the minimum requirements for establishing and maintaining a Quality Management System (QMS). It can help organisations deliver consistent products and services, meet customer expectations, comply with regulations, and improve over time. The standard applies to businesses of all sizes and sectors, offering practical guidance for embedding quality into everyday operations.
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What is AS/NZS ISO 9001?

AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016 sets out the minimum requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a QMS. It applies to organisations of all types and sizes and is designed to help deliver consistent products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
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What does AS/NZS ISO 9001 cover?

The standard outlines key components of a QMS, including:

• Organisational context – Understanding internal and external factors that affect quality
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• Leadership – Defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability
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• Planning – Aligning quality objectives with business goals
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• Support – Managing resources, competence, and communication
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• Operations – Controlling processes that impact product and service delivery
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• Performance evaluation – Monitoring, measuring, and analysing results
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• Improvement – Identifying and acting on opportunities to enhance quality
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It also incorporates risk-based thinking and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to support continual improvement.
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Who uses AS/NZS ISO 9001?

AS/NZS ISO 9001 is used by organisations across industries to build and maintain consistent quality. The standard supports a range of roles, from leadership to operations, each applying it to meet specific business and compliance needs.

• Business owners and managers – to establish consistent processes and improve customer satisfaction
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• Quality professionals – to implement, audit, and maintain the QMS
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• Procurement teams – to assess supplier quality and compliance
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• Operations and compliance teams – to meet regulatory and statutory requirements
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• Leadership teams – to drive strategic improvement and accountability
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Implementation

Organisations can adopt AS/NZS ISO 9001 to meet internal goals or pursue formal certification. The standard supports compliance with legal and contractual obligations and can help demonstrate credibility in competitive markets. It can also be integrated with other management systems (e.g., environmental or safety standards).
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Access the standard

AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016 is available through the Standards Australia Store and our distribution partners.

• Buy AS/NZS ISO 9001
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AS/NZS ISO 9001:2016 provides a practical and scalable framework for organisations looking to embed quality into their operations. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining existing processes, the standard can help guide a clear path to improvement.
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Frequently asked questions

Is AS/NZS ISO 9001 mandatory?
It’s not mandatory unless specified by a regulator, client, or contract. Many organisations adopt it voluntarily to improve quality and gain a competitive edge.

What’s the difference between ISO 9001 and ISO 9000 or ISO 9004?
ISO 9001 sets out the requirements for a QMS. ISO 9000 defines key terms and principles, while ISO 9004 provides guidance for sustained success.

Can small businesses use ISO 9001?
Yes. The standard is scalable and can be tailored to suit the size and complexity of any organisation.

Does ISO 9001 integrate with other standards?

Yes. ISO 9001 can be integrated with other management systems such as ISO 14001 (environmental) or ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), creating a unified approach to compliance and performance.

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