DEC STD 017-0

This document, DEC STD 017-0, dated August 8, 1991, outlines Digital Equipment Corporation's policy and requirements for quality assurance systems.

Key points:

• Purpose: To establish a policy and requirements for the creation, operation, and third-party registration of quality assurance systems within Digital.
• Motivation: Driven by the widespread adoption of ISO 9000 series standards and increasing customer demand for quality compliance, non-compliance could lead to significant revenue loss.

• Applicability: Applies to selected Digital organizations and operating sites involved in:

  • New build manufacturing
  • FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) repair
  • Distribution
  • Design and production of custom solutions

• Core Policy:

  • All named sites/organizations must establish and maintain a formal quality assurance system.
  • These systems must meet specified ISO 9000 series standards (ISO 9001, 9002, or 9003), with Digital's own standards (DEC STD 017-1, -2, -3) being identical equivalents.
  • Crucially, these named entities must achieve and maintain formal registration (certification) through assessment by an approved external agency.

• Corporate Quality Office Role: Responsible for determining which organizations/sites are subject to these requirements, selecting external assessment agencies, and establishing reporting requirements for registration status.

• Encouragement: While formal registration is mandatory only for selected sites, all other Digital organizations are encouraged to operate quality assurance programs that conform to the DEC STD 017 series requirements for general best practice.