We can’t just blame the politicians and the top executives. 

If we induced the companies that provide our everyday products and services to be ISO 9001 certified (just as they impose these standards on their suppliers), then we might deserve more of the following:

• Ensuring that the objectives of the organization are linked to customer needs
• Creating and sustaining shared values, fairness and ethical role models at all levels
• Establishing trust and eliminating fear
• Establishing clear responsibility and accountability for managing key activities
• People freely sharing knowledge and experience
• People openly discussing problems and issues
• Evaluating risks, consequences and impacts of activities on all interested parties
• Understanding the interdependencies between the processes of the system
• Providing people with training in the methods and tools of continual improvement
• Ensuring that data and information are sufficiently accurate and reliable
• Making data accessible to those who need it
• Analysing data and information using valid methods
• Establishing relationships that balance short-term gains with long-term considerations

It’s never too late to say that managing the quality in the first place is much the best remedy, as well as being more cost effective.