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ISO 9000 Introduction and support package:Guidance on some of the frequently used words found in the

ISO 9000 family of standards

This document supersedes ISO/TC176/SC1/WG1N 301 R2

1. Introduction

Great care has been taken during the development of ISO 9001 and ISO 9004 to use the

correct English words to describe the concepts involved, to assist text writers in consistent

references to the concepts and to assist in their readability and translation. The objective is to

achieve consistency of language throughout the documents to reduce confusion, in support of

the technical vocabulary found in ISO 9000:2005.

ISO 9000:2005, Quality management systems - Fundamentals and Vocabulary

The table below provides the selected dictionary meanings for common words, which should

be applied when writing, translating or using the standards.

2. Table of common words used in the ISO 9000 family of Standards

Word Meaning

accordanceISO 9001:2008(Clauses 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 7 and 8)

noun (in accordance with) in a manner conforming with

activityISO 9001:2008(Clause 0.2)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 1, 4, 6 and 9)

noun action in pursuit of an objective

adequacyISO 9001:2008(Clauses 4, 5 and 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 8)

noun sufficiency to satisfy a requirement

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Reference

ISO/TC176/SC1 N369ISO/TC176/SC1/WG1 N310

Date: 2010-06-10

http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=42180http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=42180http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=42180http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=42180

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Word Meaning

adjustmentISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)

NOT USED IN ISO9004:2009

noun act of making something to match a standard

analysisISO 9001:2008(Clause 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 7 and 8)

noun detailed examination of the elements or structure of something

appropriateISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5, 6, 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 8 and

A.5)

adjective suitable (for, to)

applicableISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.1, 0.3, 1, 4,6, 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 1, 6, 8 and

A.6)

adjective - relevant- appropriate- possible to apply

assessISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.1, 5 and 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 8, 9and A.4)

verb determine the value of

authorityISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 7)

noun - power to command or give a final decision- body that has legal powers and rights

availableISO 9001:2008(Clause 4)ISO 9004:2009

(Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8 and9)

adjective able to be used or obtained

awarenessISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5 and 6)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 8)

noun knowledge or perception of a situation or fact

calibrationISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)NOT USED IN ISO9004:2009

noun act of aligning the accuracy of a measuringequipment to a known standard

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Word Meaning

can verb ISO/IEC Directives Part 2 Annex G- be able to- there is a possibility of

- it is possible tocannot verb ISO/IEC Directives Part 2 Annex G

- be unable to- there is no possibility of - it is not possible to

commitment ISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5 and 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 5 and 9)

noun state of being dedicated to a cause or policy

communication

ISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5, 6 and 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 5, 6, 8 and

A.6)

noun action of sharing or exchanging information or

ideas

complaintISO 9001:2008(Clauses 7 and 8)NOT USED IN ISO9004:2009

noun an expression of dissatisfaction, displeasure or discontent

complyISO 9001:2008

(Clause 5)NOT USED IN ISO9004:2009

verb (person or organization) meet specified standards

confirmISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)NOT USED IN ISO9004:2009

verb support or establish the certainty or validity of

conformISO 9001:2008(Clauses 4, 7 and 8)NOT USED IN ISO9004:2009

verb - (item) meet specified requirements- to act in accordance with prevailing standards or

customs

consistentISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5 and 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6, 7, 8, A.2and A.6)

adjective - (consistent with) conforming to or in agreementwith

- coherent with

consistentlyISO 9001:2008(Clause 1)ISO 9004:2009

(Clauses 4 and 9)

adverb unchanging over time

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Word Meaning

controlISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.2, 4, 7 and

8)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 8)

noun - power to direct, restrain or regulate- means of restraining or regulating

controlISO 9001:2008(Clauses 4, 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 7)

verb - direct, restrain or regulate- restrain or regulate

dataISO 9001:2008(Clauses 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 6, 8 and 9)

noun facts used for reference or analysis

defineISO 9001:2008(Clauses 4, 5, 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8 and9)

verb state or describe exactly the nature, scope or meaning of

demonstrateISO 9001:2008(Clauses 1, 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 9)

verb show clearly with objective evidence

deployNOT USED IN9001:2008ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5 and A.2)

verb put into use or action

deploymentNOT USED IN9001:2008ISO 9004:2009(Clause 5)

noun implementation

determine

ISO 9001:2008(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7 and8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8, A.1and A.2)

verb establish or find out with certainty by research,

examination or calculation

distributionISO 9001:2008(Clause 4)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 5 and 6)

noun act of allocating to recipients

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Word Meaning

experienceISO 9001:2008(Clause 6)

ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6, 8, 9 and Annex B)

noun practical contact with and observation of facts andevents

facilitateNOT USED IN9001:2008ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 7 and 8)

verb - make easy or easier - promote, help forward (an action, result, etc.)

feedbackISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5 and 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 5 and 8)

noun information given in response to a product, apersons performance of a task, etc., used as abasis for improvement

focusISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.3 and 5)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 4)

noun centre of interest or activity

frameworkISO 9001:2008(Clause 5)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, A.2 andB.7)

noun essential supporting or underlying structure

functionalISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 8, A.4, A.5and Annex B)

adjective designed to be practical and useful

hardwareISO 9001:2008(Clause 6)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun See the definition of product in ISO 9000:2005clause 3.4.2

identifyISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.2 and 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,

A.5 and A.6)

verb establish the identity of someone or somebody

identifiableISO 9001:2008(Clause 4)NOT USED IN DIS9004

adjective recognizable through a unique characteristic

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Word Meaning

impartialityISO 9001:2008(Clause 8)

NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun state of being without prejudice or bias

implementISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.2, 4, 5, 6, 7and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6, 7, 8 and 9)

verb put into effect or practice

improvementISO 9001:2008(Clauses 2, 3, 5 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, A.2, A.5 and A.6 )

noun action or process of making or becoming better

See also continual improvement and qualityimprovement.

independent(noun: independence)ISO 9001:2008(Clause 0.3)NOT USED IN DIS9004

adjective - not connected with another; separate- not subject to anothers authority

integrityISO 9001:2008(Clause 5)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6 and 8)

noun state of being whole; the condition of being unifiedor sound in construction

irrespectiveISO 9001:2008(Clause 5)NOT USED IN DIS9004

adjective -in spite of - without regard to

justificationISO 9001:2008(Clause 4)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun evidence proving that something is right or reasonable

legibleISO 9001:2008(Clause 4)NOT USED IN DIS9004

adjective possible to be read by a person or a machine for intended use

liaisonISO 9001:2008(Foreword)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun communication or cooperation between people or organizations

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Word Meaning

maintainISO 9001:2008(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7 and

8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8and 9)

verb cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) tocontinue

maintenanceISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun process or state of keeping (a system, service,building, machine, etc) in good order by checkingor repairing it regularly

may verb ISO/IEC Directives Part 2 Annex G- is permitted- is allowed- is permissible

measurableISO 9001:2008(Clause 5)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 8)

adjective able to be measured

measureISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.2 and 4)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4 and 8)

verb ascertain size, amount, or performance of (something) by comparison with a standard unit or with an object of known size

methodologyISO 9001:2008(Clause 0.2)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 8, 9 and A.5)

noun system of methods used in a particular field

monitor ISO 9001:2008Clauses 0.2, 4 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6 and 8)

verb observe and check over a period of time; maintainregular close observation over

necessaryISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.2, 4, 6, 7and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8and 9)

adjective required to be done, achieved or present

needISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.1, 0.2, 4, 6,7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, A.2, A.3, A.4and A.5)

noun a lack of something that is required

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Word Meaning

planISO 9001:2008(Clauses 7 and 8)

ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9and A.1)

noun scheme, programme or method worked outbeforehand for the accomplishment of an objective

planISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.2, 5, 7 and8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6, 7, 8 and 9)

verb decide on and arrange in advance

practicableISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 8)

adjective capable of being done with means at hand andcircumstances as they are

preservationISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun action or act of maintaining something in its originalor existing state

previousISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5, 7 and 8)NOT USED IN DIS9004

adjective existing or occurring before something else in timeor in order

process approachISO 9001:2008(Clause 0.2)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 7 and 9 )

noun systematic identification and management of theprocesses employed within an organization andparticularly the interactions between suchprocesses

promoteISO 9001:2008 (Clause0.2)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4 and 6)

verb further the progress of, support or encourage

property

ISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun thing or things belonging to a person, persons or

organization

protectISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 6)

verb keep safe from damage

realizationISO 9001:2008 (Clause1, 4, 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6, 7 and 9)

noun - action of achieving something desired or anticipated

- fulfilment

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Word Meaning

safeguardISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)

NOT USED IN DIS9004

verb protect or prevent something undesirable (fromhappening)

scopeISO 9001:2008(Clauses 1, 4 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 1, 8 and A.5)

noun extent of the area or subject matter that somethingdeals with or to which it is relevant

sequenceISO 9001:2008(Clause 4)ISO/DIC 90004(Clauses 5, 7 and

Annex B)

noun a particular order in which related events,movements, etc, follow each other

shall verb ISO/IEC Directives Part 2 Annex G- is to- is required to- it is required that- has to- only is permitted- it is necessary

shall not verb ISO/IEC Directives Part 2 Annex G- is not allowed [permitted] [acceptable]

[permissible]

- is required to be not- is required that be not- is not to be

should verb ISO/IEC Directives Part 2 Annex G- it is recommended that- ought to

should not verb ISO/IEC Directives Part 2 Annex G- it is not recommended that- ought not to

skillISO 9001:2008

(Clause 6)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6 and 9)

noun ability to do something well

softwareISO 9001:2008(Clauses 6 and 7)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun See definition of product in ISO 9000:2005 clause3.4.2

specificISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.4 and 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 7, 8, 9 and

Annex B)

adjective of or relating to a particular subject

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Word Meaning

specifyISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)

NOT USED IN DIS9004

verb state explicitly, clearly and definitely

statutoryISO 9001:2008(Clauses 0.1, 1, 4 and7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 6, 7 and 8)

adjective required, permitted or enacted by a written lawpassed by a body having the power to make laws

See also regulatory

strategyNOT USED IN9001:2008ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, A.2 and A.3)

noun systematic plan of action to achieve an aim

suitabilityISO 9001:2008(Clauses 5, 7 and 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6 and 8)

noun characteristic of something that is right or appropriate for a particular purpose

suitableISO 9001:2008(Clause 7, 8)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 6, 7 and A.5)

adjective appropriate (for a particular purpose)

supplyISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 5)

verb make available for use

systematicISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clauses 5 and 8)

adjective done or acting according to a system

training

ISO 9001:2008(Clause 6)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 6)

noun act of developing a particular skill or type of

behaviour through demonstration, instruction andpractice

unambiguousISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)NOT USED IN DIS9004

adjective having only one meaning

utilitiesISO 9001:2008(Clause 6)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun services such as gas, water, electricity,telecommunication, etc.

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Word Meaning

validateISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)

NOT USED IN DIS9004

verb carry out validation

See ISO 9000:2005 clause 3.8.5

validityISO 9001:2008(Clause 7)ISO 9004:2009(Clause 8)

noun conformity to fact, accuracy or precision

verifyISO 9001:2008(Clauses 7 and 8)NOT USED IN DIS9004

verb carry out verification

See ISO 9000:2005 clause 3.8.4

workspaceISO 9001:2008(Clause 6)NOT USED IN DIS9004

noun area in which work is performed

Updated document based on comments of ISO/TC176/SC1/WG1 N 301 R2, postTokyo meeting.

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