ISO 9000 and QS-9000: The Federal Government's Role in Quality Standards Systems

Should the United States government become involved in regulating quality standards systems which provide guidelines for quality management and quality assurance of products and services? This paper examines recent developments within quality standards systems, in particular ISO 9000 and QS-9000, and their effects on small businesses, automobile and other industries, and international trade. The difference between these standards is one is representative of international consensus on the essential features of a quality system while the other is focused on applying these international rules to specific sectors of industry. Analysis is conducted on whether government involvement is necessary and, if so, the ways in which government could assist in standards development, regulation, and/or enforcement.