ISO 9001:2000 is an internationally-recognised Standard. It is a document which defines the elements of organisation required by a company to operate and maintain a Quality Management System. For the purpose of accreditation, a company must document its practices in a Quality Manual, defining its operating procedures/processes, objectives, and policy for achieving them.

These documents are assessed to ensure they fulfil the criteria of the Atandard and cover all elements of the company's operations. The company is then assessed to ensure it complies with all elements of its documentation.

Companies are re-assessed regularly to ensure they are maintaining their system in compliance with the Standard.