ISO-9000 - ISSUES FOR THE STRUCTURAL COMPOSITE LUMBER INDUSTRY

The expanding global economy and formation of large international trad ing blocks have combined to drive worldwide acceptance of ISO 9000, th e international standard dealing with quality system requirements that can be used for external quality assurance purposes. Although obtaini ng registration under ISO 9000 has become a market requirement in many industries, it is not yet so in the wood products industry, and more specifically for manufacturers of structural composite lumber (SCL). M anufacturers of SCL have increased their market share through a strate gy that differentiates their products and services from commodity soli d-sawn lumber. These strategies include the marketing of products with brand names, providing design services and installation guidelines, a nd providing after-sales support. ISO 9000 consists of three quality a ssurance standards. ISO 9003 only applies to companies that provide fi nal inspection and testing services. ISO 9002 includes quality compone nts for production, servicing, and installation. Several North America n commodity wood products manufacturers are already registered to this standard. ISO 9001 includes product design and development. Maintaini ng differentiation from commodity lumber products would require that S CL companies seek registration under ISO 9001. This paper addresses th e implications for SCL companies in obtaining registration to one of t he three standards in the ISO 9000 series and discusses the advantages , limitations, and costs of such a strategic endeavor.