FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2001-08-09

TUV Management Service (TMS) Accredited to Register Companies to ISO 9000

OTTAWA - The Standards Council of Canada has accredited TÜV Management Service (TMS) of Danvers, Massachusetts to register organizations to the requirements of the ISO 9000 series - the international standards dealing with quality management systems.

The ISO 9000 series of standards were developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and were revised earlier this year to form the new ISO 9000:2000 series. The voluntary consensus standards describe the administrative elements that must be in place so that an organization can effectively manage its quality system. The standards can be applied to organizations of any size, operating in any sector. Registration is a means of demonstrating to clients, the public, regulators and other interested parties that a quality management system conforms to ISO 9000.

To become accredited, a registrar must meet the Standards Council's criteria related to such issues as qualified staff, the existence of a documented functioning quality system, proper record keeping, continual improvement, and freedom from conflicts of interest. TUV's accreditation follows a comprehensive assessment by the Standards Council of Canada.

"Accreditation is a major investment for registrars and demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards", said Don Wilson, director of conformity assessment for the Standards Council. "Registration by the Standards Council of Canada sends a message to customers, governments and the public that an organization takes seriously its commitment to sound quality management practices."

"TÜV Management Service is very pleased to receive accreditation from the Standards Council of Canada to provide ISO 9001:2000 certification", stated Mark Alpert, Senior VP, TÜV Management Service. "Achieving accreditation by the SCC allows TÜV to offer our global clients additional value as an international registrar."

A division of TÜV America Inc., the company employs over 240 professionals throughout North America, including Danvers (MA), Research Triangle Park (NC), New Brighton (MN), Boulder (CO), San Diego (CA), San Ramon (CA), Santa Clara (CA) and additional locations. A subsidiary of TÜV Süddeutschland AG (Munich, Germany) the company employs over 9,000 professionals in over 30 countries. Globally, TÜV has issued over 24,000 product and 12,000 quality management system certifications. For more information on TUV, please visit their web site at www.tuvglobal.com.

The Standards Council of Canada is a Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective standardization, and is Canada's representative at ISO. For more information on the Standards Council's accreditation programs visit www.scc.ca, or contact the Standards Council's Conformity Assessment Branch via e-mail at [email protected].

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