Which ISO standard is the only one within the ISO 9000 family that organizations can certify?

The ISO standard that organizations can certify to within the ISO 9000 family is ISO 9001. This standard outlines the requirements for a quality management system (QMS), providing a framework that organizations can follow to ensure they meet customer and regulatory requirements consistently. The certification to ISO 9001 demonstrates an organization's ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as its commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction.

ISO 9001 is the cornerstone of the ISO 9000 family and is distinctive because it specifies the criteria for a comprehensive QMS. Organizations seek certification to this standard to achieve quality improvement and operational efficiency, thereby enhancing their market reputation and competitiveness.

The other standards—ISO 9002, ISO 9003, and ISO 9004—have been superseded or are not designed for certification purposes. ISO 9002 and ISO 9003 focused on different aspects of quality assurance related to production and the final inspection of products, respectively, but were inherently less comprehensive than ISO 9001 and were merged into it. ISO 9004 provides guidance on achieving sustained success, focusing on the longer-term perspective of quality management and continuous improvement rather than a certification framework.