Q: Do you think that organizations, which implement an ISO Quality Management System, do it for the benefits that compliance brings, or is it only for certification? A: In my experience, I have found that a number of companies & organizations go for ISO certification only because they have to or it is a customer requirement to do business. For medical device manufacturers in the US, FDA GMPs, harmonized with ISO, are mandatory. Top Managements usually look primarily at their bottom lines and see ISO as an expense, not a benefit. They may hire a QA or Engineering Manager to be responsible for ISO enforcement, documentation, and compliance - but primarily to keep the companies out of trouble with customers, government, and regulatory auditors. Only token management support is provided and when they're caught in a non-conformance situation or with a deficient product, they expect the assigned compliance person to get them out of trouble.   Answer Submitted By: Francis Lamm