ISO 9000 is an international standard for quality management systems that helps organizations ensure they meet customer and regulatory requirements. It originated in the UK in 1947 and has been adopted by over 50,000 companies worldwide. Implementing ISO 9000 involves documenting processes, ensuring standard operating procedures are followed, monitoring effectiveness, and identifying improvements. Certification generally takes 6-9 months and costs between £1500-£2600 initially and £1400 annually for ongoing audits. Benefits include improved profits, customer satisfaction, and ability to enter global markets.