Understanding and using Cost of Quality (CoQ) is not just about tracking numbers. Creating real business value is the focus. This comes from making better decisions, reducing waste, and making smarter investments. For ISO 9001 certification, managing a quality management system, or improving customer satisfaction, CoQ can help you.

1. What Is the Cost of Quality?

Cost of Quality is a framework that categorizes all quality-related costs into four areas:

• Prevention Costs – training, process improvement, and quality planning.
• Appraisal Costs – inspections, audits, and testing.
• Internal Failure Costs – scrap, rework, downtime because of defects.
• External Failure Costs – warranty claims, customer complaints, product recalls.

Understanding these quality cost categories helps organizations reduce the cost of poor quality and shift focus on proactive improvement.

2. Implementing Cost of Quality: A Practical Approach

Many organizations struggle with implementing Cost of Quality because they overcomplicate it. Instead, begin with a simple, structured method:

Start with What You Know

Use unit-cost estimates for common failure events (e.g., cost per returned item or rework hour). Then apply those estimates across your current volume to quickly assess your total cost of quality.

Focus on Key Drivers

Identify the top 3–5 failure points that drive the most cost or risk. This aligns with lean quality improvement principles, ensuring you spend time solving what matters most—without drowning in data.

Apply Digital Quality Management Tools

Modern digital quality management systems (eQMS) help you gather real-time data. They let you track failure trends and create quality dashboards. This supports continuous improvement while reducing manual reporting.

3. ROI-Driven Quality Management

A key to success is linking CoQ initiatives with measurable outcomes. – When you consider a quality improvement strategy, think about employee training or redesigning processes.

– Make sure to link it to a return on investment (ROI).

Investing in prevention and appraisal costs can greatly lower external failure costs. This includes costs like recalls and lost customers. That’s where quality management ROI becomes clear: spending smart in the right areas pays off.

4. Align with ISO and Strategic Business Goals

Whether you manage a standalone ISO 9001 system or an integrated management system, CoQ should help your strategic goals. That includes:

• Improving customer satisfaction
• Reducing rework and scrap
• Meeting regulatory compliance
• Enhancing overall efficiency

Perry Johnson Registrars offers expert help to organizations. They assist in aligning Cost of Quality tracking with ISO standards, audits, and certifications.

5. Use CoQ as a Continuous Improvement Tool

Remember: CoQ is not a one-time report. A quality improvement tool that should evolve with your processes. Keep an eye on trends, change your metrics, and try to find your quality sweet spot. This is where you can lower the total cost of quality and boost performance.

How Perry Johnson Registrars Can Help

At Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR), we help organizations unlock the full value of CoQ by:

• Supporting ISO certification and compliance through tailored audits
• Advising on quality cost tracking systems
• Assisting in the implementation of lean and digital quality management tools
• Aligning your quality management strategies with business goals

If you are new to Cost of Quality, we can help. Our team provides useful advice tailored to your industry. To improve your program, reach out to us.

Key Takeaways

1. Categorize your quality costs into three types: prevention, appraisal, and failure.
2. Use unit cost estimates to find the total cost of quality (CoQ).
3. Identify the top cost drivers with lean quality improvement methods.
4. Use digital quality management tools to help your efforts.
5. Present CoQ projects with a return on investment (ROI) to get support from leaders.
6. Align CoQ efforts with ISO systems and your business strategy.
7. Treat CoQ as a journey of continuous improvement.

Using Cost of Quality correctly does more than cut waste. It also improves product and service quality. This leads to happier customers and helps the business grow sustainably.

Ready to take the next step? Contact Perry Johnson Registrars today and let us help you turn quality cost tracking into a strategic advantage.

Contact Us:
Phone: (248) 358-3388 or 1-800-800-7910
Email: pjr@pjr.com

October is Fire Prevention Month. This is a key time for organizations to show their commitment to fire safety at work.

Fires pose serious risks to people, property, and operations. Beyond immediate dangers, incidents can lead to fines, reputational damage, and disruptions that affect long-term business success. For organizations that follow international standards like ISO 45001 and ISO 14001, fire prevention audits are crucial. These audits help improve safety and health management.

Why Fire Prevention Matters in the Workplace

Fire safety is more than a legal obligation; it is a critical part of an organization’s management system. Occupational health and safety management systems emphasize worker protection, while environmental standards address risks tied to hazardous materials and potential pollution. By focusing on fire hazard prevention at work, businesses protect their employees. They also show they follow ISO standards and regulations.

Fire Prevention Month provides the ideal opportunity for leadership teams to review emergency plans, conduct inspections, and strengthen organizational resilience.

Fire Safety Checklist for ISO-Certified Organizations

This checklist follows best practices and meets ISO 45001 fire safety rules. It also covers ISO 14001 environmental risk management principles.

🚒 Test and Maintain Alarm and Suppression Systems

• Conduct regular inspections of smoke detectors, alarms, and sprinkler systems.
• Document inspections and corrective actions in accordance with fire prevention compliance audit requirements.
• Maintain infrastructure reliability as outlined in occupational health and safety management systems.

📛 Establish and Practice Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans

• Create and communicate fire safety checklists for organizations that include multiple exit routes and designated meeting points.
• Schedule employee drills to ensure awareness and participation, meeting emergency preparedness and response obligations under ISO 45001.
• Incorporate lessons learned from drills into continuous improvement processes.

❌ Identify and Eliminate Fire Hazards

• Conduct regular fire hazard checks in the workplace. Look for risks like faulty wiring, improper storage of flammables, or blocked exits.
• Record findings and implement corrective actions to align with ISO 14001 environmental risk management protocols.
• Maintain clear pathways and safe storage practices to reduce overall risk.

📅 Commit to Preventive Maintenance

• Schedule inspections of heating systems, electrical wiring, fire extinguishers, and safety lighting.
• Document maintenance schedules and updates for compliance with fire prevention audits and ISO certification requirements.
• Ensure extinguishers are easily accessible and up to date across all departments.

Building a Culture of Safety and ISO Certification

Integrating fire safety into daily operations strengthens both employee protection and organizational compliance. Fire safety and ISO certification work together.

By following ISO 45001 for fire safety and ISO 14001 for environmental risk, organizations show they care. They dedicate themselves to reducing risks, protecting workers, and lowering environmental impacts.

At Perry Johnson Registrars, we urge organizations to use Fire Prevention Month as a time to check their systems. This is a good chance to conduct fire prevention audits and improve emergency preparedness and response plans. By embedding fire safety into occupational health and safety management systems, businesses can achieve greater resilience and accountability.

The steps taken today — from fire drills to preventive maintenance — ensure safer workplaces tomorrow.

Contact Us:
Phone: +1 (248) 358-3388 or 1-800-800-7910
Email: pjr@pjr.com

Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. (PJR) is proud to recognize Kairos Power LLC, an ISO 9001 certified organization, for their groundbreaking work in advancing the next generation of clean energy solutions.

Kairos Power designs and manufactures hardware components that support the development and demonstration of their advanced nuclear reactor technology. Their approach blends precision engineering, high-quality fabrication, and innovative testing methods, creating a powerful cycle of design, build, test, and learn. By integrating these processes under one roof, Kairos Power accelerates innovation and ensures continuous improvement, setting them apart as a leader in the nuclear energy space.

The Role of ISO 9001 in Their Mission

For Kairos Power, ISO 9001 certification is more than compliance, it’s a foundation for excellence. The certification provides a standardized framework that ensures consistency across manufacturing, strengthens stakeholder confidence, and reinforces their culture of continuous improvement. As the company scales from early prototyping to repeatable production, ISO 9001 plays a pivotal role in maintaining the discipline and accountability required in the nuclear industry.

“The certification is foundational to Kairos Power’s mission,” the team shared. “It reinforces the discipline required for superior craftsmanship and quality in the nuclear industry while ensuring that lessons learned are systematically integrated into our processes.”

Kairos Power describes their experience working with PJR as “exceptionally positive.” PJR’s collaborative and knowledgeable team provided clear guidance throughout the certification process. Beyond ensuring requirements were met, audit engagements also helped Kairos Power strengthen their quality culture and uncover opportunities for growth.

Currently, Kairos Power operates one ISO-certified manufacturing site in New Mexico, which serves as the cornerstone of their hardware production efforts. This facility is central to the company’s mission and ongoing advancements.

Looking Ahead:
The Hermes Demonstration Reactors

Kairos Power is actively pursuing its mission to deliver clean, affordable, and safe energy. Their near-term focus includes integrated design, licensing, and demonstration of advanced reactors. The company is currently constructing its first reactor, the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor (Hermes), and preparing for Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant (Hermes 2), their first power-producing reactor.

Under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with TVA, Hermes 2 will supply clean electricity to the Tennessee Valley. This historic milestone marks the first U.S. utility to agree to purchase electricity from an advanced reactor and is also the first step under Kairos Power’s landmark agreement with Google to deliver 500 MW of clean capacity by 2035. With plans to deploy a fleet of commercial reactors, Kairos Power is on track to make a transformative impact on the global energy landscape.

At the core of Kairos Power’s vision is a commitment to enabling the world’s transition to clean energy. Their mission is not only to improve quality of life but also to protect the environment. Every engineering and business decision is rooted in this guiding philosophy, driving their work to make nuclear power safer, more affordable, and more accessible.

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Kairos Power LLC
707 W. Tower Avenue, Suite A
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 808-5265
https://kairospower.com/newmexico/

Founded in 2012, Alphacore, Inc. has positioned itself as a leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and RF microelectronics. Located in the innovative Silicon Desert or Arizona’s technology center, Alphacore serves some of the most demanding sectors including aerospace, defense, scientific research, homeland security, and medical imaging with cutting-edge solutions that combine innovation, flexibility, and traceable engineering.

With a team composed of experienced industry veterans and recognized Radiation-Hardened-By-Design (RHBD) experts, Alphacore designs and delivers data converters, imaging systems, and robust microelectronic components tailored for highly specialized applications. The company thrives at the intersection of advanced technology and responsive customer support, offering tailored solutions and rapid development cycles while maintaining stringent attention to detail.

Commitment to Quality Through ISO 9001 Certification

In industries where reliability is non-negotiable, Alphacore’s ISO 9001 certification, achieved in partnership with Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR), serves as a cornerstone of trust. “ISO 9001 certifies that Alphacore maintains a consistent, well-documented quality management system,” said a company representative. “It gives our clients confidence, especially in sectors like aerospace and defense, where risk reduction and traceability are key.”

Certification has not only strengthened Alphacore’s position in the marketplace but has become an important differentiator in its pursuit of new contracts. With ISO 9001 in place, Alphacore has enhanced its internal processes, reduced costs, accelerated delivery timelines, and demonstrated its maturity as an organization committed to continuous improvement.

A Growing Partnership and a Promising Future

Alphacore’s experience working with PJR has been overwhelmingly positive. “You’ve kept us very informed on the certification process and what to expect,” the company shared. That transparency and support has reinforced Alphacore’s quality-focused culture and helped the company for its next phase of growth.

Looking ahead, Alphacore plans to expand its government business while dramatically increasing its footprint in commercial markets. With a lean, agile team and a deep well of technical expertise, Alphacore is well-prepared to deliver value in a variety of high-tech and high-risk applications.

At its core, Alphacore operates with a philosophy rooted in flexibility, responsiveness, and a customer-first mindset. From ITAR and CMMC compliance to adaptable commercial contracts, the company strives to meet and exceed the needs of every client it serves.

Contact Alphacore, Inc.
304 S. Rockford Dr Tempe, AZ
85288 United States
(480) 494 5618
info@alphacoreinc.com
https://alphacoreinc.com/contact/

For more than 25 years, Florida Circuit, LLC has been a trusted partner in the electronic components industry. Based in Sunrise, Florida, the company has built its reputation on reliability, quality, and a steadfast commitment to counterfeit prevention.

A Full-Service Resource

Founded in 2000, Florida Circuit operates as a full-service electronic component resource company, offering kitting solutions and complete outsourced procurement services. With extensive supplier relationships, deep industry knowledge, and advanced tools, Florida Circuit supports complex production demands while identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency.

With 2,880 customers served, 3,650 suppliers, over 300,000 line items shipped, and more than 288 million units delivered—all with zero counterfeit parts shipped—Florida Circuit has set a standard for responsible and reliable procurement.

Commitment to Quality and Certification

As an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, Florida Circuit has instilled strict quality disciplines across every facet of its operations. Certification has been a key driver in:

• Improving customer satisfaction and loyalty
• Boosting employee confidence and competency
• Enhancing product and service quality
• Increasing efficiency and reducing errors
• Minimizing risks across the supply chain

“Certification has given Florida Circuit the tools and resources to uphold strict quality disciplines across all facets of our operation,” Tad Deer, General Manager of Florida Circuit, noted.

A Longstanding Partnership with PJR

Florida Circuit has partnered with Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR) since 2003. Over more than two decades, this relationship has supported the company’s continued growth and reinforced its dedication to quality. “Our experience with PJR has been excellent,” they shared.

What Sets Florida Circuit Apart

Florida Circuit’s zero-counterfeit track record is one of its proudest achievements. The company has maintained this perfect record through:

• A rigorous Counterfeit Mitigation Policy, ensuring components are sourced only from trusted suppliers with proven records.
• In-House Inspection procedures aligned with the IDEA-STD-1010 standard, as referenced in SAE AS5553 and widely adopted by organizations such as NASA.
• Operating as an ESD-safe facility certified to ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 standards.
• Access to qualified third-party testing labs for advanced inspection needs.

Above all, Florida Circuit remains vigilant in preventing the procurement, acceptance, or shipment of substandard, fraudulent, or counterfeit products.

Looking Ahead

With a philosophy rooted in continual improvement, Florida Circuit plans to continue expanding its services while maintaining its unwavering focus on quality assurance and reliability. As they celebrate 25 years in business, their goal remains clear: to deliver responsible procurement solutions that customers can trust.

Florida Circuit, LLC
1669 NW 144th Terrace #211
Sunrise, FL 33323
https://www.floridacircuit.com
1-866-346-3427