Discover basic requirements of ISO certification

The ISO Web site defines the vocabulary and describes the basics and the requirements of ISO certification. You can also buy documents that will help you get on the road to compliance.

I recommend: Start on the official ISO Web site. You can also find straightforward primers on the ISO process from the ISO 9000 Council.

Get help and get going

There are various organizations through which you can achieve ISO certification and numerous consultants to help you through the process.

I recommend: Look on Quality Network to find an ISO registrar near you. Quality Digest, an ISO trade publication, provides a downloadable list of ISO 9000 consultants.

Find out if your industry has its own certification

Some industries have created sector-specific interpretations of the ISO standards, so you'll want to find out if your industry has its own version of ISO.

I recommend: Check with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for information on the aerospace industry's ISO 9000 interpretation. You'll find pharmaceuticals-specific standards on the Pharmaceutical Quality Group's FAQ. Quality Digest offers automotive-industry information and details on telecom interpretations. Find information about the medical-device industry at NSF International Strategic Registrations Ltd.

Check with your state for ISO help

A number of states offer training, assistance and even funding for small companies looking to get ISO certified, especially those looking to meet the ISO environmental-management standards.

I recommend: States that provide help for companies considering ISO certification include Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.