Paterson Candy says it has become the first water and wastewater treatment company to achieve ISO 9001:2000, the new international quality standard which demonstrates commitment and capability in the management of business processes within service and manufacturing.

Designed to be used as a framework by senior management for improving key principles such as customer focus, leadership and continuous improvement and involvement of people, the ISO 9001:2000 matches the structure of ISO 14001, the environmental management standard used as a benchmark by leading international organisations such as Tokyo Metropolitan Water, Sony and Ericsson, according to the company.

"Achieving the rigorous standards of ISO 9001:2000 shows just how seriously we dedicate ourselves to quality, and how much we're prepared to invest in it," says quality manager Michael Fines-Allin.

He continues: ''Worldwide, it gives resounding assurance to clients that our performance is aimed at ever-improving levels within a customer-focused operation, and will continue to adhere to legal and policy requirements."

Also included in ISO 9001:2000 is a requirement for "preventive action", whereby potential problems are identified before there is a failure.

In addition, there is a general requirement for customer focus to be built into the system, with a specific need for monitoring of customer satisfaction.

"There is a significant change from the compliance approach in ISO 9002 and ISO 9003, which no longer exist," says Fines-Allin. "Instead of a set of detailed procedures, ISO 9001:2000 focuses on a process approach, with demonstration of the activity and records as evidence.

''It reduces emphasis on documented procedures, and gives greater flexibility to demonstrate control through records,'' he adds.

Paterson Candy is a world leader in water and wastewater treatment design and process engineering. Part of Black & Veach of the US, Paterson Candy also provides contract management for the industrial and municipal sectors.