ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 157 countries, on the basis of one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system.

 

ISO is a non-governmental organization: its members are not, as is the case in the United Nations system, delegations of national governments. Nevertheless, ISO occupies a special position between the public and private sectors. This is because, on the one hand, many of its member institutes are part of the governmental structure of their countries, or are mandated by their government. On the other hand, other members have their roots uniquely in the private sector, having been set up by national partnerships of industry associations.

 

Therefore, ISO is able to act as a bridging organization in which a consensus can be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society, such as the needs of stakeholder groups like consumers and users.

 

 

International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) is the world's original and largest international certification body for auditors of management systems.

Located in the UK in the centre of London, IRCA certifies more than 11,500 auditors in over 105 countries worldwide.

IRCA provides auditors, business and industry with two main services:

1. certification of auditors of management systems. These include:
   • consultants assisting organizations to develop and implement quality management systems
   • certification body/registrar auditors, auditing organizations against ISO 9001 and other management system standards
   • internal auditors, performing audits on suppliers or auditing their own organizations
   • quality managers
2. approval of training organizations and certification of their auditor training courses.
   • IRCA has approved over 90 training organizations, who together provide training for over 50,000 students each year in over 100 countries.

IRCA offers certification programmes that recognize the competence of auditors who audit quality, environmental, occupational health and safety, software development, information security and food safety management systems.

i.	To establish National Accreditation Boards, suitable for the country and in accordance with the relevant international standards and guidelines for
	a. Bodies certifying Quality Management Systems, Environment Management Systems, Products and carrying out third party inspection b. Registration of Quality Management Personnel and Training Organizations. c. Testing and Calibration Laboratories
ii.	To raise quality consciousness in the country through National Board for Quality Promotion including conducting seminars, study tours and using other forms of promotion,by promoting business excellence through quality award schemes, competitions etc.
iii.	To ensure effective functioning of a National Information and Inquiry Service on Standards and Quality
iv.	To promote, coordinate, guide and implement a national quality initiative for building confidence in Indian products and services and for improving the competitiveness of the Indian Industry
v.	To enter into arrangements with similar foreign agencies and develop procedures for exchange and transfer of technologists and technologies, study tours, training in specialised areas of quality technology, conducting of joint projects, providing technical assistance in the establishment of quality consciousness and for other matters consistent with the aims and objectives of Society
vi.	To encourage industrial/applied research and development in the field of quality and dissemination of its results in relevant publications including professional and trade journals.
vii.	To facilitate upgradation of testing and calibration facilities and laboratories and to encourage the development of a national laboratory accreditation system for global recognition and for acceptability of measurement and test results.
viii.	To raise the level of training for personnel engaged in quality activities including the assessors and trainees.
ix.	To develop and operate an appeal mechanism to deal with unresolved complaints.

 

RABQSA International (RABQSA) represents quality management, organisation improvement and risk management activities and promotes professional recognition and development for its members.

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