ISO 9000 is a series of standards for quality management systems. It defines the required elements of an effective quality system for manufacturing and service industries. To get ISO 9000 certified, a company must first document its quality procedures and standards, implement the quality system, conduct internal audits, and take corrective actions. Then an accredited certification agency will audit the company and, if the quality system meets ISO standards, issue certification. Maintaining certification requires periodic reviews and updates to the quality system.