SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5698

        AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY &

            ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FEBRUARY 25, 1993

Brief Description:  Assisting companies to adopt ISO‑9000 quality standards.

SPONSORS: Senators Bluechel, Skratek, Sheldon, Williams and Erwin

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5698 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Skratek, Chairman; Sheldon, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Deccio, Erwin, M. Rasmussen, and Williams.

Staff:  Midori Okazaki (786‑7444)

Hearing Dates:  February 17, 1993; February 25, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1987 published the ISO-9000 series of quality standards.  These standards, which have gained wide acceptance internationally, are guidelines for the design and development, production, final inspection and testing, installation, and servicing of products, processes, or services.  Adoption of these standards will provide a competitive advantage to firms involved in international trade.  Many Washington firms are not yet aware of ISO-9000 or the certification process.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Trade and Economic Development, through its Business Assistance Center shall make ISO-9000 more widely known to Washington firms, assemble information on those firms which adopt ISO-9000, and assist firms in adopting ISO-9000 by helping them locate those with expertise in implementing ISO-9000.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The language changes references to ISO "certification" to "registration."  It is clarified that registration to the American National Standards Institute is equivalent to ISO-9000 registration.  An appropriation of $30,000 is made.

Appropriation:  $30,000

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 10, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

Adoption of ISO-9000 standards and other quality assurance measures can help many companies improve the consistency and quality of their products and services.  Adoption of the standard can also be a marketing advantage.  Thus far only about six Washington companies are ISO-registered, compared to over 80 in California and over 60 in Texas.

The bill would consolidate the information currently gathered informally by DTED in a place easily accessible to the businesses seeking more information about ISO-9000, and enable them to make informed decisions on whether or not to seek ISO registration.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Bill Walker, South Seattle Community College; Paul Hassing, Quality Sciences Consulting, Inc.; Bill King, Dept. of Trade and Economic Development