March 27, 2001
Bill Jeffs
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
(281) 483-5111

Release: J01-32

Johnson Space Center Earns Top Quality Management Rating

Johnson Space Center has another first to add to its accomplishments.

NASA’s lead center for human space flight, JSC has been recommended for certification to the rigorous ISO 9001:2000 standard. This registration by the International Organization of Standards (ISO) recognizes the center’s commitment to the highest quality in its management as well as its technical endeavors.

Registration of the center’s Quality Management System (QMS) to the recently approved ISO 9001:2000 is the first for any federal installation. ISO 9001:2000 certification is highly prized by government and industry leaders because it is the internationally recognized standard for quality management systems. This registration follows intensive preparation at JSC and a three-day, on-site inspection by independent auditors from National Quality Assurance, USA (NQA). The auditors visited the center March 19-21.

“This certification is important for JSC in its continuing effort to lead the way in management excellence which will complement the technical excellence that is the trademark of the center,” said Roy Estess, Johnson Space Center acting director. “This certification was accomplished through the dedicated efforts of everyone on site. The QMS is an essential tool for continuous improvement and process efficiency which will enable us to lead the development of human space flight technologies in the future.”

Auditors from the NQA spent three days at JSC reviewing its implementation of the management principles contained in the ISO 9001:2000 standard. Following the review, the Director for Business Development at NQA, Derek Coppinger, said, “Johnson Space Center is the pathfinder for many who will follow its efforts to achieve ISO 9000:2000 certification.”

Johnson Space Center is the only federal site that is both ISO 9001:2000 certified and recognized as a Voluntary Protection Program “Star Site” by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA granted the center VPP Star status in May 1999. JSC received its initial certification to ISO 9001 in April 1998, establishing itself as the first NASA field center to be so registered at the time.

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