PANAMA CITY, Panama, August 24, 2004 – The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced today that its Safety Division received ISO 9001:2000 certification resulting from an audit of its Quality Management System (QMS) performed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Certification was officially awarded in late July.
The ACP sought the certification because of its firm commitment to innovative management. Receiving it confirms that the ACP is implementing robust management procedures that enhance Canal reliability, efficiency and safety. The Panama Canal is the largest area to be IS0 9001:2000 certified – in addition to being the only “World Wonder” to have undergone the process, according to Alan Marsh, president of the Stat-A-Matrix group.
9000 standards are implemented by approximately 610,000 organizations in 160 countries. These standards help to enrich quality management at organizations, including enhancing customer satisfaction and continually improving upon performance. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a non-governmental organization, is the “world’s largest developer of standards” (www.iso.ch).
“The ACP prides itself in the quality of its operations. We are driven by the goal to operate the Canal at the most efficient and reliable levels. There is not a day where we don’t stop to think if current systems can be improved. And we continue to seek outside validation to help us improve,” said Juan Hector Diaz, Director of Safety, Environment and Security Department.
About the Panama Canal Authority
The Panama Canal Authority is the autonomous agency of the Government of Panama in charge of managing, operating and maintaining the Panama Canal. The operation of the Panama Canal Authority is based on its organic law and the regulations approved by its Board of Directors. For more information, please refer to the Panama Canal Authority’s Web site: www.pancanal.com.
