Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 has been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certification, an internationally recognized quality management system standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ESC Region 12 is focused on providing strong customer service as we continuously work to improve how we deliver our programs and services. Achieving ISO certification demonstrates our staff’s commitment to these goals.

ISO 9001:2008 applies to organizations involved in the design and development, manufacturing, installation, and servicing of products and programs. To be certified to the standard, companies must implement a comprehensive quality management system that addresses all areas of operation - from internal staff training practices to program design, delivery and service.

While it is unique for an education entity to complete the arduous process of becoming certified, the quality measures involved in ISO were easy to align to the center’s Continuous Quality Improvement System. ESC Region 12’s Quality Policy is to provide programs and services of the highest standards to satisfy customer needs including their expectations for quality and service.

An external auditor with ABS Quality Evaluations of Houston, a leading international registrar, visited ESC Region 12 in June, 2009 and spent several days conducting a comprehensive audit. The auditor examined all of the center’s quality systems, including product development processes, materials documentation practices, and measurement systems for tracking customer satisfaction and supplier performance. The ISO certification process ensures ongoing compliance because, once certified, companies are externally audited for three years before having to completely recertify.