Quality – evolution of ISO definition

Product or service was a limiting factor. The questions of whose needs remains unresolved leading to the belief that products or services that satisfy the needs of the producer are ones of acceptable quality.

Totality of characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs

The limiting factor was removed by use of the term entity but the issue of whose needs remains unresolved

Totality of characteristics of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs

The word entity has been removed possibly because it didn’t translate well. However, the issue of whose requirements remains unresolved

The degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfils requirements

Degree to which a set of inherent characteristics of an object fulfils requirements

ISO 9000:2015 clause 3.6.2

The word entity has now been reintroduced and replaced by the word object but the issue of whose requirements remains unresolved