(Paton Professional: Chico, California) -- Santa Claus became aware of the ISO 9001 standard several years ago and immediately recognized the value it could bring to his North Pole operation. The ever-generous Claus now offers gratis his quality manual as a PDF download from which all can benefit.

Recognizing the need to preserve tradition and address consumer-safety laws and environmental-protection protocols, Santa initiated processes to ensure continued customer delight and unquestioned safety. This has evolved into a massive project, encompassing updated designs of all the perennial favorites, like dolls and sleds and teddy bears. There’s a lot of work to keep the elves busy.

Santa’s Workshop had been outsourcing more of the electronic gadgets and games that kids love. Rather than sending thousands of elves to universities and trade schools to master emerging technologies, Claus decided to have the experts make the toys.

Qualifying thousands of suppliers ensures that toys and games continue to reflect Santa’s commitment to quality and joy. Hundreds of elves are involved in prequalification, supplier audits, developing improved process documents for the outsource suppliers, and establishing adequate documentation.

Claus has been developing his quality management system, and wants to have Santa’s Workshop registered to ISO 9001.

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